Cracks emerge among federal states over consultative summit

A day after a much publicized inauguration ceremony for Jubbaland president Ahmed Mohamed Islam in which top Somali leaders showed a united front, cracks have emerged between the federal states, forcing the postponement of Kismayo consultative conference.

According to Jubbaland state minister for presidency Abdighani Jama, Puntland has refused to take part in the summit saying they only came to take part in  the Jubbaland inauguration ceremony and were not prepared for this kind of talks.

Puntland and Jubbaland refrained from the High Level Partnership Conference held in Mogadishu in July.

The Jubbaland minister also said that the summit had two agendas; first is to draw a formula for 2016 elections and the second was to settle disputes between the federal states. But he admitted that the summit was not pre-planed and was only meant to utilize the opportunity since all leaders were in the same venue at the same time.

After failing to break the deadlock president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid issued a press statement together announcing a new date for the consultative summit for 2016 vision. The summit is scheduled to take place on 20th of September, 2015 in Mogadishu or another venue to be agreed.

Puntland has issues with the newest state, Galmudug over its legality as is was formed based on one and half region, contrary to what the constitution stipulates.

President Hassan , and the presidents of South West and Galmudug has left for Mogadishu as Prime Minister Omar, and Puntland president Abdiwali Gas remained in Kismayo together with the host leader Ahmed Mohamed Islam of Jubbaland.

Foreign dignitaries, including the Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhonom has also left for their respective destinations, but low level diplomats remained behind.

Goobjoog News