SomaliaReport highlights TFG-PL Memorandum of Understanding

[Monk-of-Mogadishu]

For those who wanted an English translation and a summary of the previous week's events:

Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Sunday paid a four-hour visit to Garowe town, the capital of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, and said he was inspired by the warm welcome and proud to be in the city. Critics, however, contend it was too little, too late and the president was pressured to make the trip by the United Nations.

Puntland President Mohamed Abdirahman Farole, UN Special Envoy to Somalia Dr Augustine Mahiga, Somali lawmakers, former politicians and residents have hailed the visit as historic and important.

Somali Prime Minister Dr. Abdiweli Ali Mohamed had earlier visited Garowe to pave the way for the visit of the president to defuse tension between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the administration of Puntland.

Since being elected in 2009, this trip marked President Sharif’s first visit to Puntland and a region in Somalia outside Banadir, despite numerous trips abroad.

"It has been a long time coming. To be honest, I wondered why the president didn't visit Puntland and areas in Somalia where there is relative peace much earlier on, but I think this is a new page for Somalia’s politicians,” Halima Abdi Biyood, a resident of Garowe told Somalia Report.

Ahmed Khalif Aw Isse, one of the Puntland traditional elders, said the president’s visit is too late and less important now.

“He should have come when Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was the prime minister or when Garowe hosted the Somali regional football tournament in December 2010. I reprimand the president for being reluctant to visit peaceful regions inside the country, while rather paying quite a number of visits to outside the country," he complained.

During his short time visit, President Sharif walked inside Garowe, briefly visiting one of the IDP camps in the city, Garowe General Hospital and several ministries. He praised Puntland for providing shelter for IDPs and tightening security of its regions.

“I am not surprised to see how developed Puntland is. I am proud of it and urge Puntlanders to protect their security,” said the president.

Garowe talks pushed by UNPOS

Critics argue that the president did not want to visit Puntland but was pressured by the United Nation Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS).

Sources also indicate that there were several issues that hastened the visit of President Sharif to Puntland, one being the international community pressure on him to deal with local administrations in the country as a rift is brewing between the Somali president and prime minister.

“There has been a rift between the current PM and the president over the welcoming ceremony of the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and his family to Mogadishu to highlight the need for greater famine relief. The prime minister was blocked by the president from handling the arrival of Erdogan. The president was wrong to stop Abdiwali from meeting with the Turkish PM. Dr. Abdiwali is more educated, and can understand more than the president. In effort to cover this, has flown to Garowe,” former TFG foreign affairs minister, Ismail Hure Buba, told Somalia Report.

Bishar Abdi Dad, editor of Gurmad News, said that Sheikh Sharif’s visit was a chance for him to demonstrate to the world that he is ready and willing to recognize the weight of Puntland in Somali politics. “It is difficult to see these administrations working closely and together,” he argues.

Others argue that Sharif's visit was only an attempt to persuade Farole to accept that the first phase of the upcoming UN brokered meeting will held in Mogadishu after Farole pushed for it to be held in Garowe. In turn, both leaders have officially announced that the first phase of the meeting will held in Mogadishu, while the second phase is planned to take place in Garowe.

In a joint press conference, President Sharif said that the two regions would now work closely together for the interest of Somalia as Farole welcomed the president.

“Talks between the TFG and Puntland have started and the squabble is over. There is hope and unity with a new history page open. Mr. President, this is your land and country. People here support and like you. It is a place where Somalia is loved. So we say, welcome home,” said the Puntland president Farole.

Puntland, TFG sign deal

The Garowe memorandum of understanding (MOU) which has been signed by the prime minister of Somalia, Dr Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and Puntland president Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud Farole, states that both sides agree to:

- Strengthen cooperation and ties

- Implement the Galkayo accord of August 23rd 2009 and the MOU on security cooperation signed between the TFG and Puntland on April 12 2010

- Strengthen security, fight against terrorism, piracy and illegal immigration

- Provide Puntland equipment and security training

- Speed up the renovation and building of Armo Police Academy so as to do training inside the country

- Considering reconstructing the navy

- Promote economic and political development

- Share and distribute donations equally to the entire countries

- Protect and promote of human rights

- Accomplish the federal charter

The future of Somalia looks BEAMING BRIGHT. I'm really optimistic about the coming months and years.

[FBISOMALIA]

faroole win in his political war now we as puntlander want him to win internal war inside PL to fix security

[DropkickMurphy]

the president was pressured to make the trip by the United Nations.

What is the deal with the United Nations Political Office? I know why they have so much power over the TFG but I don't understand where they are going with their strange unpopular decisions regarding the TFG.