SOMALIA: Puntland’s Parliament begins 28th Session
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http://horseedmedia.net/2012/06/17/soma ... h-session/
The Parliament of Puntland yesterday reconvened after months of recess, to begin the first Meeting of it’s 28th Session. The vice President of Puntland Gen.Abdisamad Ali Shire officially opened the meeting, which was attend by 48 of 66 MP’s of the Puntland’s Parliament.
In his speech the vice president Gen.Abdisamad told the MP’s that the government implemented many development projects in the region.
Many people in Puntland criticize the Parliament for failing to hold the government accountable for many issues such Anti Piracy program funded by UAE and implemented by a privately owned South African company (Sarencen) which is not yet passed by the Parlaiment, the increasing of Taxation on the import and export goods, the raising inflation, Corruption and indefinite detention of political activists, journalists and civilians.
The fixed-term of the Puntland Parliament, the President and Vice President is four years. The Parliament’s term which began on 30th of December 2008; would expire at the end of October 2012. The 66 MP’s of the Puntland Parliament are selected by the provincial clan elders. The Parlaiment elects the President and Vice President. The President’s and Vice President’s terms will end on 30th of December 2012.
The current government of President Abdirahman Farole have so far failed to organize multiparty elections before the end of its term 2012. The government also did not succeed to implement the registration of the voters and organizing a national referendum on the drafted constitution. Instead the government organized a convention saying there was no time for a referendum.
On 15th of April, the Puntland government organized a convention in Garowe, which was attend by a government selected 482 delegates. The delegates passed the draft constitution of Puntland. The Puntland government called this a historic milestone.
During the convention President Farole said his vision is for “our people will vote directly to elect their leaders. Our people will be able to hold their leaders to account.” But many people in Puntland are now worried that President Farole will use this as a pretext to extending his term of office.
“ It is clear the new constitutions which was drafted by the previous government clearly states the term of the president will be five years, this issue is clear…” said the Puntland President Abdirahman Farole weeks before the convention was held in Garowe.
President Farole’s term in office was four years, he can not use the new constitution to suspend the elections in January 2013, this is unacceptable, warns Gen.Abdullahi Said Samater and Abdulraxman Maxamed Gablax who are both running for the Puntland presidential elections in January 2013.
By: Khalid Yusuf
Horseed Media
