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| Africa Horn | |
| Federal Govt meddling in Puntland elections | |
| 2013-10-03 | |
The Somali Federal Government President’s right hand man, a close presidential aide and State Minister for Presidency Farah Abdulkadir recently visited Minneapolis after returning from New York where a delegation led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended UN General Assembly meeting last week. Abdulkadir met Puntland politicians and businessmen at Duable Tree hotel in Minneapolis and he presented to the participants of the meeting his intention of intervening in the upcoming Puntland presidential elections according to some of the participants who spoke to Garowe Online on condition of anonymity. Sources said that Abdulkadir requested the politicians and the businessmen to shore up every possible efforts of denying Farole victory by in turn telling that the incumbent Puntland President is an outstanding hindrance to Somali unity. “Puntland is an important part in Somalia and we like to forge good ties with it but President Farole doesn’t comply with our willingness, he is an obstacle to Somali unity and wouldn’t lead Puntland people to progress,” President Hassan’s close aide was quoted as saying by the attendants. The sources further disclosed that nearly 20 people joined the discussion and speaking at the meeting, the presidential aide revealed Federal Government’s keenness to provide both technical and financial assistance with each and every contender who could garner support for Mogadishu-based Federal government from Puntland. Meanwhile in Mogadishu, as Puntland gears up for the most hotly contested presidential election that is slated for January 2014, Somalia Federal Government also stepped up its domestic involvement by throwing its weight behind some presidential candidates whom it regarded as “soft” and “flexible” individuals. Former TFG Prime Minister, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali ‘Gaas’ who gave an interview to UK-based Somali TV stations –Somali Channel and Universal TV- last week pointed out what he described “looming threats of insecurity in Puntland”, remarks that Puntland government called as “ludicrous claims” and “Political comments” . In response to deliberate violations in the legitimate Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC) whose clauses and articles have been tampered with, Puntland withdrew cooperation from the Somali Federal Government on August 5. The 66-seat-chamber of Puntland will be choosing the “leader” on the 8th of January 2014 in presidential election and the upcoming election would bring together, the current Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole and a number of rival politicians including Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gas who- in September 2012- lost election to current Somali Federal Government President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after he competed against former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Farole has bagged a big record as Puntland President for the past five years and has demonstrated prudent leadership, overwhelming majority of Puntland people confirmed in a poll conducted by Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe. Farole administration has a pleasant record in power after visible changes in the areas of international relations, security, health and education emerged within the first three years of tenure. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #1 They have an IRS too? |
| Posted by: Pappy 2013-10-03 11:02 |