Somalia: Puntland Govt voices support for three-region state election

GAROWE, Somalia - Puntland Government in northern Somalia on Monday voiced support for the three-region state presidential election that has been held in Bay regional capital of Baidoa of southwestern Somalia, urging Federal Government of Somalia to speed up federalization process
Puntland congratulated Mohamed Haji Abdinur on his election as the president of southwest state of Somalia according to a press statement from Puntland State House.

"Puntland Government conveys warm congratulations to southwest state of Somalia's people on their role in crowning an autonomous state," the statement read.

" [Somalia's Puntland Government] fully supports the formation and the development of southwest state of Somalia," added the press statement, noting that Puntland is ready to provide technical and experience support to the new federal state.

Expressing hope about the outcome of federal system, the northwestern state which forms the tip of the horn of Africa region called on Somalia Federal Government, International Community members and donors to play a vital role in leaping the fledgling administration forward.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud yesterday arrived in Baidoa for official visit in an effort to defuse political tension between Abdinur and presidential claimant Madobe Nunow.

Baidoa, 256km northwest of Mogadishu has been a spot for rallies and parallel regional conferences over the last few months.
On 3rd of March, a controversial election that crowned Madobe Nunow, former Member of Parliament and Information Minister faced tough opposition from Federal Government of Somalia and Jubaland administration.

Organizers within the previous regional conference absorbed Gedo, Lower Jubba and Middle Jubba regions into southwest state map in a bid to breach Jubba agreement which was signed in Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa in August 2013 under the auspices of IGAD by Mogadishu-based Federal Government and Jubaland.


Last Thursday, Over 700 delegates representing Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions elected Abdinur as the president of southwest state of Somalia.

Garowe Online