Jubaland and Puntland Presidents Form Political Alliance with Presidential Candidates

[Deeq A.]

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) —  A new political alliance has come into existence in Mogadishu ahead of a crucial electoral summit planned to take place in the Somali capital city. Dubbed the Somali National Salvation Forum, it brings together  the Union of Somali Presidential Candidates, the Speaker of the Upper House, Jubaland and Puntland Presidents. The Forum has selected Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a former President, as the Chairman.

Puntland President Said A. Deni (left) and Jubaland President Ahmed M. Islam (right) unveiling the new political alliance against the incumbent Somalia’s President Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed

In a statement for the media, the Forum accused the incumbent Somali President Mohammad Abdullahi Mohammed of undermining the 17 September Electoral Agreement, a position that the Union of Presidential Candidates has adopted pragmatically despite supporting the 17 September Agreement that Puntland and Jubaland allegedly breached despite the Federal Government of Somalia making concessions to abrogate the electoral law that could ensure one person, one vote elections in Somalia.

The Forum created a new controversial title for the Chairman of the Upper House Abdi Hashi, who becomes the Chairman of Somaliland Political Council.  The Forum accuses the Federal Government of Somalia of using security forces and the National Army against “demonstrators”.  The accusation comes on the heels of a statement by the former Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud  who said that “Union of Presidential Candidates will be in charge of security during demonstrations.”  Former President Sharif Ahmed and Jubaland President were senior members of the Union of Islamic Courts.

“The Somali National Salvation Forum supplanted the Union of Somali Presidential Candidates. It is not political realignment. It is an attempt by Somalia’s post-Islamists to return to power” said Abdi Sarey, a radio journalist and political commentator in Mogadishu. “The Forum questions the existing government institutions and subtly proposes parallel electoral processes. This does not bode well for the impending summit” he added.

© Puntland Post, 2021

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