PUNTLAND POLITICAL POSITION PAPER
February 10, 2016
To: Mr Michael Keating
Special Representative of UN Secretary General to Somalia
To: Distinguished Ambassadors & Other International Partners of Somalia.
On behalf of Puntland Politicians, other stakeholders and general Puntland public, we would like to present Puntland Politician’s position paper on Somalia’s political transition in 2016. First, we would to express our thanks and appreciation for your support in assisting Somalia to stand on its
feet again and reclaim its position in the community of nations.
While honoring your worthwhile efforts and assistance, we would like to hereby submit some background information on this process, the consultation process Puntland carried out, the Puntland position and recommendations on the process.
1. Background Information
With reference to the meetings convened in Mogadishu on 19thand 20thof October 2015, and the following public consultations on 22ndNovember and 5thof December, the National Consultation
Forum adopted the Mogadishu declaration on 16thDecember in which reiterated consensus was reached that there should be no extension of constitutionally mandated limits and Somali leaders
will reconvene and endorsed detailed electoral model.
Based on that, Somali leaders met in Kismayo, Jubbaland State,during the period from 10thto 17th of January 2016 to further discuss on viable model for the election and after extensive
discussions in which Puntland State of Somalia showed flexibility in reaching an agreement on the democratic and representative formation of the upper and lower house.
The meeting ended without agreement due to Somali President’s obduracy and lack of flexibility and neutrality.
The President, in his efforts to remain in power, wasted his term in office deliberately to circumvent the one-man-one-vote election process adopted, violated the interim constitution and
un-constitutionally created non-viable interim administrations for re-election purposes,
The formation of these administrations and the 4.5 election modality he and his government insisted on violated the constitution and created political uncertainty.
2. Puntland Consultation Process
Puntland conducted grassroots consultation among Puntland community and held forums for the period from November 16thand 17thwhich was attended by up to 600 delegates from all walks of
life in Garowe, Bosaso, Galkio, Badhan, Qardho and Tukaraq.
The delegates unanimously resolved that the national parliamentary elections be held on democratic basis, using grassroots representation.
They further agreed it would be retrogressive to go back to the clan representation model previously known as 4.5 which they said is unconstitutional, unfair and destabilizing but also an
obstacle to the democratization of the governance institutions and structures of Somalia.
They were in consensus that the tribal model was against the principle of equality among Somalis and fosters injustice, corruption, insecurity and disintegration of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
The same verdict was taken by the majority of Somali people from Somaliland, parts of Gal-Mudug, Banadir region, Jubbaland and upper Bakool districts, as well as the position of national parties and forums which are based in Mogadishu.
3. Puntland position We, Puntland politicians and other stakeholders support the position taken by Puntland
government and categorically reject the new electoral model in which lower house representation will be based on traditional 4.5 quota and undemocratic selection of upper house members. It is
also against all prior agreements witnessed and endorsed by UN, EU, IGAD and other International partners.
The reason Puntland rejects the unilateral decision adopted by present government is not without
reason.
a. Un-constitutional and un-democratic
According to the adopted constitution signed by roadmap signatories with the endorsement of UNPOS as guarantor on June 22, 2012 which remains the agreed-upon principlestates that ” Election should be held on slated date without term extension, parliamentary selection process should be based on pre-1991 war 18 regions and districts, the process would be binding under the consent of federal members states and outcome of grass-roots consultations, upper house
should be based on regions that existed before 1991 and final decision must be reached on the location, status and boundaries of Somalia capital”.
Article 72 of Federal provincial Constitution stipulates that the numbers of the Upper House of the Federal Parliament shall be elected through a direct, secret and free ballot by the people of the Federal Member States and their number shall be no more than 54 members based on the 18 regions that existed in Somalia before 1991.
b. The hallmark of Disintegration and DestabilizationThe 4.5 electoral model lacks all ingredients of success because it created mistrust and inequality
among Somalis, reignited tribal grievances and subsequentugly violence and the bitterly contested episode of chaos and clan wars.It has left irreversible and un-healablepain both
physically and emotionally in every Somali’s conscious mind. This model is prone to creating poor leadership, corruption scandalsasthe leader is elected by conflicting clan representativesand
the process prohibits active and effective government institutions and agencies that are accountable under the law because the leader is adamant oninjustice system instead of
accountability and rule of law.
This model suffers serious shortcomings such as absence of any link between MPs and geographic constituencies and the opportunities that it creates for
corruption in the selection of MPs.
4.The way forward
Puntland people and government insist that any electoral model should be based on fair grassroots representation, democratic principles and the will of the people. The process should also include genuine process of
reconciliation, creation of all-inclusive Somali National Army and agreement on the status of the nation’s capital city as agreed in Garowe-2 agreement.We, in Puntland give our highest regard to a viable nation re-building, just reconciliation process
and we re-affirm our commitment to Somali re-integration.
We will like to re-assure Your Excellency that Puntland will support a fair democratic process which will not violate its constitution but leads Somalito the way forward.
Thank you
Representative of Puntland Political Groups
Waxaa nasoo gaarsiiyey
Xafiiska Siyaasi Cali Xaaji Warsame
Garowe-Puntland