Friday September 22, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre reiterated that the federal government and the Puntland regional state have a good relationship, even though there has been a lack of cooperation since Puntland cut ties with the federal government.
In an interview with VOA Somali in Washington, D.C. this week, Prime Minister Barre emphasized that the federal government is prepared to address any concerns raised by regional President Said Abdullahi Deni to advance the country's governance.
"Deni has not come to us to tell us what he wants. We are waiting for him to come to us and express his concerns. We want him to say, 'This is my concern, and this is what I want,' and we eagerly await his approach," said Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre.
The Prime Minister underlined his willingness to travel to Puntland to resolve political differences, highlighting that his government is always open to dialogue as a conflict resolution.
"Everything we have at our disposal is available to the Puntland government, and we are ready to work together to solve their problems. We hope that our brothers, especially President Said Deni, will find common ground with us," he added.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister stressed that the most opportune time to sit down with President Deni would be after the local council elections, considering that the leaders of Puntland are currently occupied with the election process.
"I believe we can address other issues once the regional elections have concluded," stated Barre.
In January, President Deni cut ties with Somalia's federal government, declaring that Puntland would function autonomously until a constitution was drafted and a referendum held. This political tension led Deni to skip the National Consultative Council (NCC) meetings in Baidoa and Dhusamareb this year.
In May, Somalia's Deputy Finance Minister, Abdiqafar Hassan Hange, claimed President Deni's opposition to the federal government stemmed from his unsuccessful bid to become Prime Minister.
Last year, Deni publicly supported Mohamud during the climactic final round of the national presidential elections, resulting in Mohamud defeating the incumbent President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo. At that time, political analysts widely anticipated Mohamud would select Deni or one of his close associates for the Prime Minister's position, but this expectation did not materialize.
In May this year, the Puntland regional state conducted its first democratic local elections since 1967.
A total of 3,775 candidates from seven political parties, including the ruling Kaah party, competed for 774 seats in elections on May 25. The three organizations that secured the most seats in the local council parliament were Kaah, Mideeye, and Sincad. While more than 385,000 voters were registered for the elections, only 177,445 voted.