2024-04-01T05:38:28+00:00
A-
A
A+
/ The semi-autonomous state of Puntland announced its withdrawal from the federal system of Somalia and will govern itself independently until constitutional amendments approved by the central government are approved in a nationwide referendum.
Last Saturday, the Federal Parliament in Mogadishu approved several constitutional amendments that the government says are necessary to establish a stable political system.
Critics of the amendments say they concentrate power in the executive arm.
The amendments include direct presidential elections and allowing the president to appoint a prime minister without parliamentary approval.
The state Council of Ministers said in a statement, “Puntland will move independently until there is a federal government with a constitution agreed upon in a referendum in which we participate.”
The dispute constitutes another stumbling block for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is already facing great difficulties in ending the rebellion of a group linked to Al-Qaeda, suppressing piracy, and extending federal control over the country, including Somaliland, after it agreed to lease a port to Ethiopia.