Somalia: Caretaker PM, Puntland President head to Mogadishu

GAROWE, Puntland- Federal government of Somalia’s caretaker Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Puntland President, Abdiwali Mohamed Ali “Gaas”, are expected to jet off to the Somali capital of Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.  

Both leaders are set to travel on Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday to attend the National Leadership Forum, scheduled to kick off in Mogadishu on December 13, according to sources.

Leaders of the Somali government-term ended in September 10- and regional states will meet to discuss key outstanding issues related to the completion of the electoral process, among it the dispute over distribution of Upper House seats for Somaliland community.  

Earlier, Puntland Vice President and Parliament Speaker traveled to Mogadishu and held talks with Somali leaders and diplomats from the international community regarding the contested seats of Sool, Sanag and Buhodole regions. But elders and politicians from the Somaliland community have demanded the seats distribution of the Upper House not to be amended.

However, caretaker PM Sharmarke who visited Garowe city last Saturday, was reported he made extensive talks with President Ali about the forthcoming presidential election on December 28.

The international community is pushing the Somali leaders to ensure political transition in 2016, amid continued delays to the electoral process. The presidential election was delayed from September 10, October 30, November 30, December 15 to December 28.

On the other hand, the parliamentary elections were concluded in most of the regional states in Jubaland, Southwest, Hirshabelle, Galmudug and Puntland, but the process is still in progress for Banadri and Somaliland communities in Mogadishu.

GAROWEONLINE