Talks Between Puntland and Somali Government Collapse

Garowe (PP News Desk) — Talks between the Somali Federal Government and Puntland State collapsed following a demand from Puntland which the Prime Minister of Somalia Mohamed Hussein Roble had declined to endorse it.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni said that Puntland would only nominate members of the electoral committee if the Federal Government of Somalia withdraws troops from Gedo to allow Jubaland State to conduct selection of MPs and Senators in the region.

Puntland President insisted on the replacement of the committee tasked with selecting MPs and Senators from Somaliland.

Prime Minister Roble (left) and President Deni held talks that ended in deadlock.

The two conditions violate the electoral agreement signed nearly two months ago when demands of Puntland and Jubaland states were met by the Federal Government.

“The Somali Army is not an invading army. The demands of Puntland and Jubaland reflect a desire to throw the electoral schedule into confusion. As for the committee to select Somaliland MPs and Senators, Puntland President shows a poor political judgement to interfere in the electoral process for Northern MPs and Senators” said Abdi Hassan, a Mogadishu-based political journalist.

Last night Prime Minister Roble met civil society members in Garowe and discussed preparations for the selection of MPs and Senators ahead of Presidential elections in 2021.

© Puntland Post, 2020