Somalia: Puntland government warns traditional elders

GAROWE, Puntland- During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Puntland government has called clan leaders to select MPs who can represent and adhere to the interests of Puntland region, Garowe Online reports.

Chairing the meeting, President Abdiwali Mohamed Ali has warned regional elders from re-electing MPs-outgoing Federal MPs– in the upcoming parliamentary elections, which he has accused them of being dishonest and misrepresented Puntland people.

“Cabinet Ministers urge elders and delegates to choose parliamentarians who can be entrusted with the faith of the nation and in particular Puntland and its people,” read the statement.

According to the election framework, clan leaders are set to be the base for selecting members in the 135 elders-representing clans from member states- and Electoral College (delegates) who will vote for candidates competing for seats in the Lower House chamber of Federal Parliament.

It is noteworthy that in 2012, then Prime Minister Abdiwali Mohamed Ali, had major role in the selection of 135 elders, who voted for the outgoing 275 MPs.

Close sources tell GO that President Ali plea is to ensure his backed MPs are chosen in the Lower House polls. Ali will also pick allied candidates for the Upper House seats, which collectively will be used for political bargaining with Federal government leaders-caretaker President and caretaker PM- who are presidential aspirants, added the source.

Puntland cabinet statement comes amid recent report published by GO, revealing President Ali interference in the electoral process, forming a committee included closed allies, to work closely with clan elders, to pick MPs backed by President Ali. 

The latest statement is aimed to dupe public into believing that parliamentary elections is fair and transparent, but reports indicate that the electoral process is feared of being rigged and corrupted again like in 2012 elections, when the electoral campaign was marred by allegations of bribery and payment to MPs during the presidential polls.

Recently UN has lamented at the renewed delays to the parliamentary and presidential elections and expressed fears over the “political manipulation” along the process and called on relevant actors in Somalia to ensure that this period is not used for political gain but more importantly to adhere to the national political roadmap.  

GAROWEONLINE