Puntland State cuts ties with the Federal Government of Somalia

The President of Somalia’s Semi-autonomous State of Puntland Abdiweli Ali Gaas has announced that its region has cut the ties with the Federal Government of Somalia following the announcement of the formation of new administration in the Central Regions of Somalia which he termed it as unconstitutional and consequently unacceptable to the Government and people of Puntland.

On Wednesday the Federal Government of Somalia declared that it has signed an agreement which proposes the formation of new state for Mudug and Galgadud regions in the central Somalia.

President Gaas stated that, Puntland as the first Federal Member State controls the northern part of Mudug region while the southern part is under the Galmudug administration.

In a press conference Gaas said, “The announced signing of the agreement to form a new federal state in Mudug and Galgadud regions totally opposes the constitution o the country which clearly states the methodology to establish the Federal Member States,”

He said the decision to cut ties with the Federal Government came after urgent meeting by Puntland’s cabinet of ministers on Thursday.

“We are very upset that members of the international community participated and witnessed the signing of illegal agreement which totally does not comply with the constitution,” President Gaas added.

Foreign Ambassadors of United Nations, the European Union, The African Union and the IGAD have witnessed an co-signed the Wednesday’s agreement at Villa Somalia.

Puntland announced that it is now calling back its representatives in Mogadishu including the member of the constitutional review committee Mrs. Asha Gelle, to consult them.

The Federal Government of Somalia on Wednesday endorsed a central Somalia state where President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed witnessed a ceremony for the formation of the State of Central Somalia at Villa Somalia at the Presidential compound, with UN, EU, AU, IGAD and AMISOM envoys present.