Somalia: Hassan Sheikh visits Jubaland as predecessors oppose constitutional changes

KISMAYO, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Kismayo, the interim administrative capital of Jubaland state on Wednesday, just as the debate on constitutional changes gathers momentum in the Horn of Africa nation which has been battling instability.

The visit coincides with the Somali Parliament’s deliberations on amending the nation’s constitution, a move opposed by the State of Puntland. The northern state of Somalia accuses Mogadishu of sidelining it in proposals which are set to be discussed.

Last year, the National Consultative Council (NCC) agreed to amend the constitution with changing to a presidential model being on top of the agenda. The presidential model will be adopted along with universal suffrage polls.

Under this system, Somalia will scrap the traditional parliamentary system where the Prime Minister is the head of government with the president assuming all executive powers. In an election, the president will run alongside a running mate, who will serve as his defacto deputy.

But even before Hassan Sheikh arrived in Kismayo, his predecessors Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed better known as Farmajo, vehemently opposed Sheikh's tactics, raising the Puntland stalemate as an 'urgent' matter.

According to them, Hassan Sheikh has deviated from the condition for dialogue between the Federal Government and Puntland. The stipulation was to postpone the constitutional debate opening for two weeks, allowing more time for negotiations, they argued.

Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo confirmed that he failed the mediation between the Federal Government and Puntland, regarding the dispute over the planned amendment of the constitution of Somalia. The country is pushing for stability.

Hassan Sheikh also wants regional presidential elections to coincide with the term of the federal president and a tern limit introduced to push for democratisation of the country. The proposals are set to be discussed by parliament.

GAROWE ONLINE