PRESS RELEASE
3 December 2013
The President of Puntland State of Somalia H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole) has nominated a seven-member Vetting and Conflict Resolution Committee and a Secretary, ahead of the parliamentary selection process this month and the presidential election, slated for January 8,
Today’s Puntland Presidential Decree No. 159 of December 3, 2013, references:
• Articles 7, 60 and 61 of Puntland Constitution;
• Presidential Decree No. 121 of December 2, 2004, and Presidential Decree No. 112 of November 2008, regarding the vetting process for Puntland Parliament;
• Presidential Circular of November 15, 2008, issued by the President’s Office, regarding the nomination of Vetting and Conflict Resolution Committee for Puntland Parliament;
• Parliamentary Decree No. XGG/DPL/57/2013 of July 24, 2013, regarding a temporary return to the previous parliamentary selection system in Puntland;
• Presidential Decree No. 138 of October 31, 2013, regarding the President’s act to dissolve the Parliament to pave the way forward for 2014 elections; and
• Presidential Decree No. 153 of November 23, 2013, regarding the December 10, 2013, deadline for Traditional Elders to submit their candidates for Puntland Parliament.
The President has nominated the following members of the Vetting Committee, in accordance with the regional constituencies of 1998 (five Regions and a District):
1. Eng. Yusuf Abshir Adami Chair, Bari Region
2. Mr. Osman Gureye Kaarshe Member, Nugal Region
3. Eng. Mohamud Ahmed Hassan Member, Sool Region
4. Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Farah (Cilal) Member, Mudug Region
5. ‘Aqil Abdirahman Ahmed Haji Dirie Member, Ayn Region (Buhodle)
6. ‘Aqil Abshir Abdirahman Arale (Dhegcas) Member, Karkaar Region (ex-Bari Region)
7. ‘Aqil Said Hassan Haji Yusuf (Warabacade) Member, Haylaan Region (ex-Sanaag Region)
8. Mr. Mohamed Abdulkadir Osman Secretary
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Speaking at a press conference, President Farole said: “After discussions and wide consultations with neutral representatives of Puntland civil society, I have today signed a Presidential Decree nominating the Vetting and Conflict Resolution Committee. Members of the former Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC) have all been excluded from the Vetting Committee, although TPEC included many good members”.
The President indicated that the Committee is expected to have its first meeting before the end of this week in Garowe, so that Puntland may have a new Parliament and elect the leadership of the next government on January 8, 2014.
“We want a credible and just election process. Members of Parliament should be selected rightfully and recognized. The wellbeing of Puntland is in the interest of everyone,” the President
President Farole said that the process of nominating the Vetting Committee is not new to Puntland. Using the two most recent Vetting Committees nominated by former Presidents of Puntland, President Farole said: “The two Presidents before me both nominated Vetting Committees, and one of them added four members of his own Cabinet to the Vetting Committee in 2004, and the other President nominated a Vetting Committee and we [presidential candidates of 2009] did not change that list. The election is not dependent on the Vetting Committee, because both former Presidents before me nominated Vetting Committees and both lost the election”.
The President added: “Puntland today has an adopted constitution, but in the past, there was a temporary constitution that permitted space for different interpretations.”
President Farole issued another appeal to the Traditional Elders of Puntland: “I reiterate Presidential Decree No. 153 of November 23, 2013, and urge the Traditional Elders to resolve any disputes about MPs within their own community and to avoid sending dispute cases to the Vetting Committee. We want a just election, an election that is credible, legitimate and satisfies the Puntland people’s aspirations”.
The President noted that the Vetting Committee includes three Traditional Elders (Aqils) “who know the communities and the traditional selection process” and that he nominated a Vetting Committee Chairman from “a community that is not at the moment competing for position of President, Vice President, Speaker or two Deputy Speakers”.
The President encouraged the Puntland people “to welcome and support the Vetting Committee” for a successful election process and wished the Vetting Committee success in their endeavor.
Puntland Government is committed to upholding the rule of law, promoting fair and credible elections, and preserving the unity, peace and development of Puntland.
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