Somalia: Puntland Leader meets UNSOM officials

GAROWE, Puntland- The President of Somalia's northeastern region of Puntland, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali “Gaas”, has received UN officials led by Howard Bell, the Head of the UNSOM office in Puntland, on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.

The closed-door meeting held at the State House in Garowe city, with the presence of cabinet ministers of Puntland government. Reports said that talks have focused on the ongoing parliamentary elections and worsening drought situation in the region.

Following the meeting, Puntland President noted that the drought situation poses serious humanitarian challenge to nomad communities in Puntland and appealed for collective support from the international community to provide immediate assistance to those critically affected.

He later praised the continuous support from the international community to ensure the political roadmap of the Somali election later this year.  

On his side, Howard Bell, has commended the state’s efforts in leading the ongoing electoral process in the region.

He also urged Puntland leader to push ahead the stalled democratization process in Puntland region and reiterated International partners’ commitment to support the process.

The democratization process in Puntland is in “limbo” following the official resignation of Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC) Chairman yesterday, who cited “personal reasons’’ for the sudden departure.

Critics have previously blamed Puntland leader for unwillingness to implement the political multiparty system that will pave the way for one-person-one-vote in the 2019 Puntland election.  

 GAROWEONLINE