Somalia: Democratization back on agenda in Puntland

GAROWE, Somalia-Puntland government in northern Somalia has resumed democratization efforts stalled for security concerns in mid-2013 following the nomination of 9-member Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC), Garowe Online reports.

On Feb. 15, Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali announced five nominees including former BBC Somali Service journalist Ahmed Mohamed Ali (Kismayo) for TPEC in a move hailed by EU envoy to Somalia, Ambassador Michele Cervone d’Urso.

EU envoy applauded the nomination as a step towards, one person, one vote, and Parliament Speaker Ahmed Ali Hashi finalized the lineup on the following day.

On Tuesday, representatives from European Union (EU)’s Democratization and Political Office held a meeting hosted by Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC) as part of technical preparations in Garowe.

Donors supporting the democratic transition have listened to the views of government officials, parliamentarians and civil society activists on how best Puntland could push ahead with the programme during the deliberations, PDRC lead researcher, Abdinasir Mohamed Yusuf told Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe.

EU officials were briefed on the experiences gained from local council elections suspended by former President, Abdirahman Mohamed Farole. PDRC was at the time cooperating with Puntland Electoral Commission on the implementation of transition from the current clan-based system of governance to democracy.

PDRC researcher faulted the timing on the suspension of the programme, dismissing seriously speculated failures besetting the resumption of the process.

Democratization Programme Steering Committee (DSC)—a group of seven donors including the European Union, Denmark, DFID, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and USAID—assisted Puntland in advancing democratic ideals before abortion prompted by political sabotage.

--Puntland wary of Somalia proposal

Puntland remains wary of an electoral proposal introduced by Mogadishu-based Federal Government in late January.

The EU representatives once more raised Puntland’s stance on new Somalia proposal with participants. Yusuf said, wider public opinion still adheres to shift from traditional 4.5 power sharing formula to constituencies.

Puntland has rebuffed any process ushering in 4.5 quota in a major blow to a blueprint endorsed by International Community.

A group of diplomats led by new UN envoy to Somalia, Ambassador Michael Keating stressed need for trust on a subsequent trip to Puntland where they held talks with government officials, politicians and civil society in early February.

GAROWEONLINE