Somalia: We are not against the government, says Puntland President

KISMAYO, Somalia - The Presidents of Somalia's Federal member states are expected to wrap up a three-day conference in the southern coastal city of Kismayo on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.

The leaders of five Somali regional administrations, namely Puntland, Galmudug, HirShabelle, Southwest, and Jubbaland are attending the meeting aimed at finding a solution to the political deadlock over Gulf crises.

Speaking at the conference, Puntland President, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali "Gaas" said Kismayo forum is a "constitutional" and wanted to be held in the past. "It's not against the Federal government," he said.

President Ali highlighted that Somali Federal state members have a legitimate right to hold such meeting to discuss their interest and the country's future, in accordance with the Federal system.

"In fact, it is unfortunate to seek a reason for this meeting, as the constitution allow us to meet and discuss on the power and responsibility sharing alike to federal states in the Federal government in the world," said Ali.

Continuing, Puntland President added that it is needed to properly implement the Federal system in Somalia, and bring an end to any hurdle from the central government or its Federal member states.

"Today's constitution in the country is Federalism, and we want to put it into practice correctly. The system we have and the actions of the central government sometimes are not compatible," he added.

Ali also stated that regional states' meeting in Kismayo is a constructive forum, and will not derail the country's state-building efforts by the Federal government led by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.

The remarks of Puntland President comes amid frosty relations between Somali Federal government and regional administrations that sparked by a disagreement over the country's stance towards GCC rift.

The current political crises in Somalia emerged after some regional states, including Puntland, have sided with Saudi-led bloc against Qatar, while the Federal government stayed neutral on the diplomatic row between the Gulf countries. 

GAROWE ONLINE