Somalia: Puntland President flies to Mogadishu for emergency meeting

GAROWE, Somalia-The President of Somalia’s Puntland government Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has jetted off to Mogadishu for key emergency gathering of political leaders on Saturday, Garowe Online reports. 

Ali is being accompanied by members from his cabinet as Somali political leaders jostle due to approaching elections by August this year. Schedule and technical charts for the poll are expected to dominate surprise Mogadishu forum which comes less than a week after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud bypassed parliament and approved controversial election bill.  

Somali parliament have expressed uneasiness over the presidential decree to sidestep the often fickle national assembly.  

Meanwhile, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has planned to effectively dissolve parliament ahead of parliamentary and presidential election and selection processes.  

Puntland President postponed Dubai trip for divisions engulfing Puntland clan elders according to presidency sources who spoke to GO.  

Elders in Garowe railed against a conference hosted by Bogor Burhan Bogor Musse, calling it “politicized one” that doesn’t entail traditional values whatsoever.  

Puntland President has drawn public ire for his lavish foreign trips at the height of growing frustration at currency devaluation and untamed inflation.

  --Puntland on high alert for possible Ramadan attacks  

Puntland government has put security agencies on standby for possible Ramadan attacks by Al Shabaab cells.  

Al Shabaab is known for apparently coordinated terror operations during the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer, Ramadan. Presidential spokesman said in statement that constant coordination has been enhanced among various security agencies.  

Puntland said, it had already issued terror alert. On Wednesday, two Puntland soldiers were killed while diffusing mine in the difficult terrain of Galgala.  

Ramadan will start on June 5 when Muslims will refrain from eating, drinking and smoking, among other activities depending on the sighting of the moon.

GAROWEONLINE