Puntland Political Forum Denounces Authoritarian Turn in Somalia

[Deeq A.]

Members of Puntland Political Forum meeting in Garoowe two weeks ago.

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — Two days of the Somali National Consultative Council issued a statement in which its members granted themselves sweeping powers to make changes to the constitutional order, Puntland Political Forum has issued a statement in which it categorically denounced the unconstitutional decision that has the potential to lead to the disintegration of federal institutions.

“The Puntland Political Forum considers the National Consultative Council (NCC) statement dated May 27, 2023 to be dangerous, and believes it may lead to dictatorship and further destruction. This decision is hasty, and violates the constitution and decision-making procedures whereby political agreement is reached by consensus” reads the statement.

The Forum emphasised the need the obligation to abide by the draft constitution and the political agreements based on consensus that provided a strong foundation for rebuilding transitional and post-transition institutions in Somalia. The Forum’s statement warned against political uncertainty into which Somalia can slip one year after the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

The Forum called on the bicameral legislature “not to endorse any political agreement” that has not come about through a broad consensus.

“The Forum calls on politicians, academics, traditional elders, and the Somali people in general to work towards a peaceful and inclusive Somalia, while addressing the flaws in the Constitution at the federal and regional levels in order to maintain good governance and the unity of the Somali nation” the statement added.

© Puntland Post, 2023

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