Somalia: Puntland President moves to mollify protesting clans

GALKAYO, Somalia-The President of Somalia’s Puntland Government Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has adapted to demands lodged over the dissolution of Galkayo district council on Monday, Garowe Online reports. 

Ali and clan elders held a closed-doors meeting during which the President reportedly apologized to the most major sub-clan in Galkayo for “disbanding councilors in error”. 

Puntland President dissolved Galkayo city council by decree on July 4, drawing the ire of local clans whose traditional leaders expressed clear reservations.  

Sources said on anonymity condition that Ali also pledged to back elders’ prospective candidate in indirect mayoral vote expected to be conducted in July.  

Ali picked Mohamud Yasin Ahmed as an interim mayor, and ordered the formation of new city council in seven days.   

The 27-member city council is selected by traditional leaders on the basis of complex tribal structure in largely cosmopolitan Galkayo.

GAROWEONLINE