Somalia
Somalia: Puntland leader returns home as elders issue warning
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May 20, 2008 - 7:17:03 PM

BOSSASO, Somalia May 20 (Garowe Online) - The president of Somalia's Puntland regional government returned home Tuesday after spending nearly two months overseas, officials said.

President Mohamud "Adde" Muse landed in the port city of Bossaso after his final departure from neighboring Djibouti, where he was welcomed by an assortment of Puntland government officials.

The Puntland leader visited capitals in Ethiopia, Kenya, Great Britain and Djibouti before returning home. He has not yet discussed his overseas trip with local media.

Gen. Adde Muse, Puntland leader

But Mr. Muse's return trip home coincides with emerging reports that interim Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf is secretly backing an initiative extending the one-year term for Muse's four-year governing mandate in Puntland. [READ: Somali Leader Pursuing One-Year Term Extension for Puntland Ruler]

In Garowe, the capital of Puntland, a group of 50 traditional elders who represent local clans issued a strong message to the Adde Muse administration about widespread reports of a term extension.

According to elders from Nugal region, where Garowe is located, the Muse government's term in office ends in January 2009, when the elders urged the region' s presidential elections be held as scheduled.

The Nugal clan elders warned against the proposed one-year extension period for the Puntland administration, fearing consequences of disorder and others problems in the region.

Source: Garowe Online