Somalia: Galkayo tensions dominate Puntland cabinet meeting

GAROWE, Somalia, November 27, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Rekindled tensions in central Somalia town of Galkayo has taken a center stage in a weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Puntland President, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

The meeting intensely centred around security, Mudug tensions, Environmental Conservation Police and passage of several bills.

Security

Security was high on agendas, with Puntland expressing optimism about ongoing efforts to quell damaging tensions in restive Galkayo.

Listening to ordinary briefings by Security Ministry, Puntland cabinet agreed on the need to confront any move detrimental to territorial integrity.

Puntland once again lambasted Galmudug militiamen for provocation, while hailing efforts of defusing tensions that Sunday degenerated into deadly fighting.

Environment

The cabinet debated a blueprint presented by Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism-something described to be welcome first step in new environmental policy.

Security Ministry will cooperate with Environment Ministry on the framework that includes the formation of environmental conservation police officers.

Bills passed

Puntland cabinet ministers have endorsed three key legislations-anti-rape bill, statistics law and Town Planning policy--, with the first aiming at proving panacea for proliferating violence against Somali women.

Presidential spokesman affirmed that government puts emphasis on social services deliveries, such as water, electricity and sanitation.

The weekly cabinet meeting, for long marred by delays and lack of quorum comes on the heels of deadly clashes which left five people dead and as many as 50 wounded by Sunday.

GAROWE ONLINE