Puntland President's Statement at Principals Meeting

Talaado 22 May 2012 SMC

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Puntland State of Somalia
Garowe
Meeting of Somali Principals
Addis Ababa

Statement of the President of Puntland State of Somalia
H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole) Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Somali Dignitaries and Delegates, Representatives of the international community, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Thank you all for attending this important meeting here in Addis Ababa and I thank the Ethiopian Government for hosting us here today and for its valuable support in liberating regions in south-central Somalia from Al Shabaab terrorists. I would like to also thank the African Union, IGAD and the wider international community for supporting national stabilization and recovery efforts in Somalia.

As one of the major stakeholders in Somalia, Puntland Government suggested a meeting of Roadmap signatories in the presence of the international community aiming to engage in constructive discussions and make contributions to the Draft Federal Constitution. Puntland Government received a copy of the new Draft Federal Constitution on 30 April 2012 and appointed a Committee to review the document and to submit our concerns and comments.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:
As we all know, Somalia adopted the federal system of government in 2004 and drafted the Transitional Federal Charter, upon which the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) are based on. Puntland adopted its own state constitution by public convention in a transparent manner and we are now ready to contribute towards a viable Federal Constitution for Somalia.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The intention of this meeting is to:

1) keep moving forward the progress achieved thus far in the Roadmap peace process and to keep the process on track;
2) present our concerns and commentary on the Draft Federal Constitution;
3) give an opportunity to other Somali stakeholders to presents their views on the Draft Federal Constitution;
4) engage in constructive discussions about the contentious issues within the Draft Federal Constitution (i.e. clearly defined principles of federalism, decentralization of power at Federal and State-level, resource-sharing, and delivery of public services);
5) conform the Draft Federal Constitution to a) federal system of government, b) the current socio-political realities in Somalia; and c) what constitutional provisions can be agreed upon and what provisions can be deferred until the formation of other Federated States;
6) achieve agreement in principle among the Somali stakeholders that the Draft Federal Constitution should be reviewed and redrafted to satisfy the requirement of a federal system of government; and
7) move forward the Roadmap process in accordance with signed agreements by achieving an understanding on the role and mandate of the Somali traditional elders, on how the technical committee can best exercise its role, and on time limitations.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:
As Puntland Government, we expect the Somali Federal Constitution to include provisions that:
a) include, as one of the fundamental principles of the Constitution, the principle of Federalism as it is the first and foremost characteristic of the State;
b) give autonomy to the States and the people to ensure that power will be exercised as closely as possible to the people affected by it; and c) acknowledge that, at this stage, the Draft Federal Constitution should not list Federal powers, but rather should include transitional provisions establishing time limits for the formation of other Federated States of
the Federal Republic of Somalia, united under a negotiated and agreed-upon Federal Constitution.

The transitional provisions will also address the relationship between the constituted Federated States, such as Puntland State, and the Federal Government during that period, and provide that this will be the subject of an agreement between the Parties until all Federated States are created and they determine in a final form the respective powers and relations of the
Federal Government and the Federated States.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

There has been widespread speculation that Puntland Government played a major role in the drafting process for the Draft Federal Constitution. I am hereby informing the Somali public, the Somali stakeholders, and the international community that Puntland Government received a copy of the Draft Federal Constitution for the first time on 30 April 2012, and as such,
Puntland Government was not involved at any stage in the drafting process for the new Constitution, while Puntland has a legitimate right to be involved as other Somali stakeholders.

The people and Government of Puntland State of Somalia remain firmly committed to the End of Transition process, adherence to the Roadmap and signed agreements, as well as the completion of an agreed-upon Federal Constitution for Somalia. I call upon you Somali stakeholders to put aside personal interests and focus on the interest of the nation.
Constructive dialogue is part of the democratic process. We encourage Somali stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue with the best interest of the Somali people at heart. To improve cooperation between different levels of government and to ensure representation and participation of Federated States at the national level, we propose that Cabinet nominations are made in consultation with existing and emerging States.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I wish for this meeting to achieve a successful outcome that is beneficial for the people of Somalia who have suffered for too long. Terrorists, pirates and other criminal groups pose a grave threat to the security and stability of Somalia and the wider region.

In Puntland, we are experiencing a spillover of Al Shabaab terrorists since last year due to intensified military operations in south-central Somalia by AMISOM and regional forces. We must avoid destabilization of peaceful areas in Somalia by bolstering security progress in Somalia as a whole. Puntland requires tangible security sector support as part of the international community’s stabilization efforts in Somalia. This support would reinforce stability in Puntland and prevent terrorists from establishing footholds in Golis Mountains with access and links to Al Qaeda in Yemen.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Today, we have an opportunity to learn from our past mistakes and to give the Somali people a sense of renewed hope. We are gathered here today to make progress and overcome obstacles, in terms of Roadmap benchmarks, in a spirit of honesty and respect in the coming days to achieve an outcome that will give the Somali people hope and pride.

Thank you and God bless.

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