Puntland Government of Somalia wishes to express its utmost gratitude to our International partners for their firm commitment to continuously support the Somali people in their genuine desire to achieve progress, prosperity and stability.
We recognize that the endorsement of the New Deal Somali Compact marked a new phase in the political relationship between Somalia and the international community. Similarly, we acknowledge that the High level Partnership Forum (HLPF) has been a driving force over the past two years for the considerable gains in helping the Somalis attain more sense of overall stability and peace.
Evidently, Somalia today stands at a decisive point of time. The momentum and the optimistic trajectory of Somalia must be sustained. At the same time, we are alarmed at the current political paralysis and crisis, and sincerely call upon all Somali stakeholders to show leadership and wisdom out of this quagmire.
As stated in Article 4 of the founding charter of our state, Puntland was established in 1998 based on the understanding to be part and parcel of a united federal Somalia. Consequently and as documented by history, Puntland has been tirelessly taking tremendous leadership roles in ensuring the doctrine and spirit of federalism is collectively achieved through its active participation and hosting of numerous forums dating back to the Eldoret conference, Garowe 1 & 2 principles and Galkayo agreement.
Let it be known, that it was the desire of the Government of Puntland to attend the HLPF which opened on the 29th of July in Mogadishu, but however, decided to abstain from the meeting based on the following concrete reasons and chronology of events that collectively demands the attention of all Somalis and our international partners:
1. VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION
1.1: The current federal Government has deliberately annulled the genuine federal constitution as signed by the six National Roadmap signatories in Nairobi on the 22nd of June, 2012. It has also single-handedly tampered and changed twenty four important articles that included among others:
a) The suspension of the upper house (see Article 72. Section J)
b) The status of the national capital of the federal government of Somalia (see Article 9)
c) The formation of member states (see Article 52)
d) The modalities and processes of changes and amendments to the provisional
constitution (see Article 199, Section 3 and 5)
e) The issues of land, properties and environment (see Article 44, Section 6)
f) Devolution of power (see Article 55)
1.2: Contrary to the stipulations of the provisional constitution, the Federal Government has created an illegal interim administration in Adado district (see Article 50, section 6).
1.3: Contrary to the stipulations of the provisional constitution, the Federal Government directly appointed the Federal Election Commission without any consultation whatsoever with the members of the federal states (see Article 111, Section 2) to fulfill their sinister political agenda and maim the hopes of a free and fair election in 2016.
1.4: Contrary to the stipulations of the provisional constitution, the Federal Government directly appointed the Federal Boundaries Commission without any consultation whatsoever with the members of the federal states (see Article 111, Section 2) with an ulterior motive against the spirit of federalism and to drum up the evils of the civil war.
2. NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS SIGNED BETWEEN PUNTLAND GOVERNMENT AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
The Government of Puntland has previously signed a number of agreements and understandings on cooperation with the Federal Government dating to 2009 to 2015. Parts of these agreements included:
a) To have regular and joint consultation on Vision 2016.
b) To have a fair and balance distribution of all donations and aid resources received on behalf of the Somali nation.
c) As stated in the provisional constitution, to allow Puntland to develop its natural resources without any hindrance (see Article 142).
d) To return all illegally and violently acquired private properties to its rightful owners and engage on regular consultation on all national properties and assets both within Somalia and abroad.
e) To build a national patriotic and inclusive Somali army devoid of clan character.
f) To have a more fairly balanced and inclusive political appointments at the higher hierarchy of government at federal level.
g) The recognition of Puntland issued educational certificates.
h) To set up a technical team to work out on the best modalities of positive engagement between Puntland and the federal government.
Unfortunately, the Federal Government failed to honour any of these previously binding agreements, and this has consequently forced the people and the Government of Puntland to lose faith, confidence and gave rise to the current serious trust deficit with the Federal Government.
a) As stated in the provisional constitution, to allow Puntland to develop its natural resources without any hindrance (see Article 142).
b) To return all illegally and violently acquired private properties to its rightful owners and engage on regular consultation on all national properties and assets both within Somalia and abroad.
c) To build a national patriotic and inclusive Somali army devoid of clan character.
d) To have a more fairly balanced and inclusive political appointments at the higher hierarchy of government at federal level.
e) The recognition of Puntland issued educational certificates.
f) To set up a technical team to work out on the best modalities of positive engagement between Puntland and the federal government.
Unfortunately, the Federal Government failed to honour any of these previously binding agreements, and this has consequently forced the people and the Government of Puntland to lose faith, confidence and gave rise to the current serious trust deficit with the Federal Government.
2. UNDERMINING OF THE FEDERAL SYSTEM AND ACTIVE PROMOTION OF MOGADISHU CENTRIC UNITARY SYSTEM.
The Federal Govement delibartely poses and undermines the agreed constitutional federal system of governance while actively promoting the return of unitary system that will benefit colloquial interests. For example:
a) The Federal Government openly and directly opposed the formation of a legal and legitimately state formation processes such as Jubbaland that met the constitutionally mandated criteria for the formation of a federal member state.
b) The Federal Government sponsored and promotes the one and half (1 ½) region Adaado Administration in clear violation of Article 50 Section (6a) of the Provisional Federal Constitution (June, 2012).
c) The Federal Government actively engages in inappropriate political interference and manipulation in Puntland and Jubbaland with the aim of undermining stability and security of these federal member states.
d) The Federal Government opposed the recognition of the constitutionally compliant and legitimately formed Jubbaland federal member state, while publically promoting the recognition of the unconstitutional Adaado administration.
e) With the aim of undermining the implementation of the constitutionally mandated federal system of governance, the Federal Government funds and organizes insecurity, inciting local conflict and violence in Galgadud, Jubbaland, Lower Shabelle, Hiran, and Puntland.
4. ELECTION IN 2016:
The Federal Goverment has failed to fulfill its contitutional mandate to deliver the one person one vote in 2016, nor has it developed an inclusive action plan. This is clearly demostrated by:
a) The failure to complete the federal constitutional process and establishing of a federal system through a consultative process.
a) The Federal Government opposed the recognition of the constitutionally compliant and legitimately formed Jubbaland federal member state, while publically promoting the recognition of the unconstitutional Adaado administration.
b) With the aim of undermining the implementation of the constitutionally mandated federal system of governance, the Federal Government funds and organizes insecurity, inciting local conflict and violence in Galgadud, Jubbaland, Lower Shabelle, Hiran, and Puntland.
4. ELECTION IN 2016:
The Federal Goverment has failed to fulfill its contitutional mandate to deliver the one person one vote in 2016, nor has it developed an inclusive action plan. This is clearly demostrated by:
a) The failure to complete the federal constitutional process and establishing of a federal system through a consultative process.
b) The President of the Republic’s inappropriate interference and hinderance of successive prime ministers and Goverments effort and process to prepare for elections in 2016.
c) The illegal and illegitimate announcement of a so called Election Commission, designed to accomplish an unlawful term extension.
d) The announcement of unconstitutional and illegitimate plans and processes designed to undermine elections in 2016 and lay foundations for term extension as examplified by the Mogadishu announcement of July 28, 2015.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE WAY FORWARD:
Having seen, the complete disregard for the agreed Provisional Federal Constitution,
Having seen, the continued lack of implementation of the numerous agreements with the Federal Government,
Having seen, the Federal Government responsible violent local conflicts active in country,
Having seen, the current Federal Government’s complete disregard for collective national interests,
The Government of Puntland:
Categorically states that it will not accept a term extension or a delay of the 2016 elections.
Is prepared to host a Somali consultative conference on the 2016 elections and collective national interests.
Is fully ready to work with all Somalis and International partners in the timely realization of an inclusive fair and transparent elections in 2016.
