Somalia: The incumbent president is leaving a bad legacy for Puntland, says Farole

GAROWE, Puntland - Somali Senator H.E Abdirahman Farole said he did not expect that Puntland's incumbent president, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas would seek re-election in 2019, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking to the reporters in Garowe on Sunday, Farole said his successor has reversed his prior pledges that he will not try to run for the second term in office when his five-year term expires next month as the region heads to the polls.

The term-ending president was accused of failing to fulfill his 2014 campaign promises and has done very little to improve the security, fight corruption, apply multi-party political system as part of the democratization process.

Farole who is currently a member of Somalia's Senate called for a peaceful, credible and inclusive election in Puntland, urging the incoming state parliamentarians to pick an effective and competent leader who can deliver.

With elections approaching next month and President Ali, 53, has declared his intention to seek a second, five-year term early this month as his outgoing government was marred by corruption allegations and failure in the security.

"My message to the outgoing president, I did not expect you would announce your candidacy for a second term because of you said several times in the past that you are not running again," said senator Farole.

The Senator insisted that he handed over a Puntland that was economically and security viable to his successor, the incumbent President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas following 2014 democratic presidential elections in the state.

Farole recalled the key development projects, including Garowe and Bosaso airports, Chinese-built roads and thriving economy he left behind that Ali admitted he inherited a "complete government" from his processor.

"You are leaving the office with a bad legacy and complicated situation in Puntland," Farole told Abdiweli Gaas.

In addition, the ex-Puntland president blamed the outgoing leader and the deputy parliament speaker for printing the counterfeit currency notes that caused hyperinflation that affected the region's most venerable population the hardest.

He decried for the hard situation faced by Puntland Defense Forces as Ali's administration failed miserably to pay the salaries and entitlements of the soldiers as well as the civil servants for many months due to the corruption.

The Senator has served as the president of Puntland, a Federal Member State in northeastern Somalia for five years between 8 January 2009 and 8 January 2014.

Under his leadership, Puntland has been hit worst attacks in history as it faces the dual security threats from the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab and the growing presence of fighters linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

GAROWE ONLINE