Officials from Puntland and Somali Federal Government have disagreed over harmonized accord that would allow the two governments to work together under a federal umbrella. The first phase of the accord was reached on August 23 in Galkayo city where Somali government led by Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke met with Puntland government officials. The disagreement emerged after the representatives of both sides held talks in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya for the second day running on Friday.
On Thursday, Puntland President Abdirahman Mohammed Farole held talks with his counterpart President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in Nairobi’s Panari Hotel where they both agreed to form a committee to harmonise the accord.
However, the two sides met again on Friday in the Somali Embassy in Niarobi but differed over certain issues which Puntland regards as very important in reaching a consensus. Somalia’ Information Minister said after the meeting that the government of Sheikh Sharif will accept the proposal of Puntland presenting itself as regional. Making informal comments after the failed talks, Puntland President accused some elements of Somali government officials of working against the proposed agreement, adding that Puntland must be recognized as a state and not a semi-autonomous region.
He said Mogadishu has for several years ignored to strictly follow the agreed agendas that played major role in the formation of a Transition Federal Government for the Horn of African country. President Farole added that he will not back down from his government’s demands and will represent the interest of his people.
Somalia’s embattled President left for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where several lawmakers are waiting to petition him. Puntland state, a collection of seven Somali regions declared itself as an autonomous state in 1998, but remained part of a Federal Somalia.
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