In a significant development on Wednesday night, President Said Abdullahi Deni of Puntland declared a shift in the region’s electoral approach, bringing an end to the prolonged disagreement between regional leaders and the opposition.
Puntland’s Interior Minister, Abdi Farah Said Juha, a key figure in the democratic process, commended President Deni’s decision as “a courageous and necessary step.”
Juha acknowledged the challenges posed by the opposition to Puntland’s democracy and emphasized the crucial role of a leader capable of navigating the current complexities.
President Deni’s decision aligned with the SSC-Khatumo traditional committee’s proposal made on the same Wednesday. The committee, focused on conflict resolution, recommended a return to parliamentary elections. They proposed scheduling the presidential election for January 8, 2024, to prevent political conflict and instability. According to their plan, current parliament members would elect the president and vice president, with a new parliamentary election, using the one-person, one-vote model, slated for twelve months later.
Last month, the Puntland Electoral Commission revealed a schedule for a one-person, one-vote election, strongly endorsed by President Said Deni. However, the opposition rejected it, alleging it was a maneuver to extend President Deni’s term, arguing that conducting such an election within a few months is not feasible.
President Deni acknowledged the complexity of the decision to suspend Puntland’s democratic processes in his address to reporters at the Garowe regional presidential palace. Citing current circumstances and the looming threat of violence, he opted for a return to the indirect election system, where clan leaders play a crucial role in selecting regional parliament members.
Expressing concerns over potential unrest in Puntland, President Deni emphasized the risk of opportunistic elements exploiting election conflicts. Notably, he alluded to the SSC-Khatumo stage as part of his considerations.
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Xafiiska Wararka Qaranimo Online | Mogadishu, Somalia
_____________________________________________________________________________________Xafiiska Wararka Qaranimo Online | Mogadishu, Somalia
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