Somalia: Internal rifts undermine Puntland democratization process

GAROWE, Puntland- Puntland President Abdiwali Mohamed Ali Gaas has officially launched Puntland Electoral roadmap on Wednesday, a process set to facilitate Puntland political transformation towards democracy, Garowe Online reports.

The event, which held at Puntland Development and Research Center (PDRC), was attended by cabinet Ministers, Puntland parliamentarians, members of Puntland’s Electoral Commission and members of the civil society to discuss state’s democratization process.   

In his address to the participants, Mohamed Sofe, Vice Chairman of TPEC, has noted that a collective support and commitment from government, public and International community are much needed to ensure transition from clan-based form of governance to democracy in Puntland.   

But members of the civil society and politicians have expressed “concerns” over government commitment to timely implement the democratization roadmap, despite government pledges to deliver timely process.

However, the process is believed to be undermined due to internal standoff between members of the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC) amid unwillingness of Puntland government and international community to avert the situation.  

Disagreement between Commission’s members and the Secretary, Mohamed Saed Kashawito, was noticed, as he was missing from the event, along with the absence of TPEC Chairman for medical treatment abroad.   

The Secretary of the Commission is usually appointed by an internal vetting process, but President Ali has opted to directly appoint all members of the commission in a presidential decree early this year.

GO has learned that authority has been a major bone of contention between TPEC members and the Secretary. Speaking to the media, In Garowe city, Kashawito revealed the he wasn’t informed about the event held at PDRC, and said that the conflict was raised to Puntland President to swiftly intervene, and further explained that the continuous stalemate over mandates will hinder the process.  

So far Puntland government has not responded to TPEC’s Secretary statements, amid concerns over government commitment to ensure timely process before next elections. 

Lack of government support to move forward with democratization plans is seen as the Electoral commission was officially launched last March, and still hasn’t took any concrete actions, while Puntland Parliament reluctant to pass laws drafted by TPEC.       

The Electoral Commission is the second to be launched in Puntland, following a spearhead efforts by President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, to held first direct and local council elections across the region, but opposition led by then Abdiwali Mohamed Ali at that time, saw the democratization process is not in their interests, has led to the suspension of the council elections.

Following his election in January 2014, Puntland President has promised to prioritize democratization roadmap process and top his government agenda in its first year, but failed to honor his pledge till recently in March 2016. 

The delays to effectively implement the democratization process by Puntland government have prompted the International community to withdraw its fund support for the process.

In two years Puntland will prepare for parliamentary elections and it seems that clan system will be used as model to elect parliamentarians who will vote for the President.

Puntland state located in the northeastern region of Somalia was formed in 1998 as semi-autonomous region and enjoyed relative stability unlike the rest of the country.

GAROWEONLINE