Villa Somalia: Puntland in talks with Federal Government

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Despite outright differences, the Federal Government of Somalia [FGS] is actively involved in talks with Puntland, one of the Federal Member States [FMS], Villa Somalia has clarified, amid ongoing meetings involving former and current leaders of the Horn of Africa nation.

Hussein Sheikh Mohamud, the Chief of Staff to the presidency, said both parties are involved in the talks as they find the best way to unlock the stalemate, which has seen Puntland boycott activities at the federal level, citing a lack of political goodwill by Mogadishu to support federal states.

On several occasions, Mohamud says, the government has tried to extend invitations including participation in the National Consultative Council [NCC] meetings, but the state has not been honoring them. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud chairs NCC and all leaders of FMS are members.

“In the past six meetings, some of which Puntland was absent, Puntland was always invited by the president, and its opinion was listened to, and its opportunity is still there,” Mohamud said adding that channels are opening between the two sides.

“Discussions are open and they are going on quietly now. We hope, God willing, that it will come to fruition and come together and discuss the issue,” he added.

Early this year, Puntland leader Said Abdullahi Deni de-linked the regional leadership with the federal government, raising questions about Mogadishu's commitment to the stabilization of the federal states. Resource sharing and constitutional reforms have been the topical issues between Garowe and Mogadishu.

Recently, Puntland rebuked a proposal by NCC and the cabinet which if passed, would pave the way for the introduction of the presidential system of government, eliminating the traditional clan-based model, which has been used throughout the civil war. The proposals have been backed by other states.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud vowed to push for unity at the national and state levels, arguing that such gestures would help Somalia to effectively fight Al-Shabaab militants. The NCC recently approved the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab which will focus on Jubaland and Southwest.

GAROWE ONLINE