Somalia: Puntland ex-president speaks on 2016 Election, clan clashes

GAROWE, Somalia, September 24, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Former Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole has spoken on Somalia’s transition towards election by 2016, bashing federal government leadership for failing to deliver on promises, Garowe Online reports.

Former President and Puntland Vice President Abdihakin Abdullahi Haji Omar joined hundreds of worshippers on Thursday morning at Mire Aware Stadium in the State Capital of Garowe to mark the end of Hajj pilgrimage with Eid Al Adha prayers.

Farole has accused Mogadishu-based federal government of sowing differences among federal member states and interim regional administrations.

He added that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud needs to resign Abdullahi Yusuf-style since he has failed to lead the country, referring to transitional federal government President, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed who stepped down over row with the then-Prime Minister. 

Former Puntland leader stressed that elections can be held in the country if the process stays transparent, and is devoid of political standoffs.

Clan clashes 

On clashes that raged between two clans in Qoriley area, Farole called for immediate end to hostilities.

He also called on the government to track individuals orchestrating the deadly violence, in his first remarks touching on the renewed clan clashes in areas near Somalia-Ethiopia border.

Meanwhile, Puntland Vice president has unveiled that efforts to quell the clan revenge attacks are underway.

Nearly 20 people from the opposing sides have been reported killed in the clan fighting.

The conflict has been dragging for ten years, forcing hundreds to displace and spurring alarming mistrust in northern Sool region.

GAROWE ONLINE