SomaliNet Forums

President Faroole's Speech In Addis Ababa Speaks Volume About Puntland's Genuine Interest In Achieving Peace, Stability And Proper Federal Governance In Somalia.

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;2 of 3
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.3 of 3

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.

Faroole's speech was excellent and on the spot clarifying all the issues relating to the process and including the rumours. Unlike others the way he spoke showed honesty and how he is genuine about getting Somalia back to its old glory. The man does not lie, he tells the truth and sticks to his word nor does he waver from the realm of current Somalia, but unfortunately he lacks genuine partners that are willing to solve Somalia's problems from the other sides.

Lets move forward and end the transition.

Somalia leaders meet at African Union headquarters for constitution, elections process
22 May 22, 2012 - 1:23:30 AM

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia May 21, 2012 (Garowe Online) -- Key leaders in Somalia met in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Monday aiming to discuss critical issues relating to the war-torn country’s new constitution and the upcoming election process, Garowe Online reports.

The meeting opened up at 4pm at the African Union headquarters building in Addis Ababa. The three leaders of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government – President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Prime Minister Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden – attended the meeting organized by the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) under the leadership of Tanzanian diplomat Dr. Augustine Mahiga.

Key Somali leaders, including Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, and officials from Galmudug region and Ahlu Sunna group, attended the meeting of principals as signatories of the UN-backed Roadmap agreement and the subsequent Garowe Principles I and II and the Galkayo Principles. The international community was represented by ambassadors and diplomats from the African Union, IGAD, European Union, Arab League, the U.S., the U.K. and other countries.

International partners

Dr. Mahiga, the UN Special Envoy to Somalia and head of UNPOS, opened the meeting by stating that the meeting of principals intends to give an opportunity for key Somali leaders to discuss the progress achieved and the remaining tasks ahead of the end of the transitional period, slated for 20 August 2012.

He stated that the meeting aims to discuss the new constitution, the elders meeting and selection process for the National Constituent Assembly and Federal Parliament.

The UN diplomat declared that Somalia's international partners “shall not support any extension of the TFG” and urged Somali leaders move the process forward to end the transition.

Speaking about the traditional elders, Dr. Mahiga indicated the international community’s disappointment with the management of the elders’ meeting in Mogadishu, suggesting that “political ambitions” were at play as TFG politicians competing for influence ahead the parliamentary and presidential elections had interfered with the elders’ meeting.

He spoke of hearing “reports from Mogadishu that some people are declaring that they are members of the new parliament, while we have not even reached that stage yet. I urge for transparency in the management of the elders role to ensure that quality persons are nominated for the National Constituent Assembly to provisionally adopt the new draft constitution and a new quality parliament forms for Somalia.”

Dr. Mahiga urged Somali leaders to move the process forward in a transparent manner, adding that he remains “confident that the transition can be ended on time in a Somali-owned process.”

AU Special Envoy to Somalia, Jerry Rawlings, Ghana’s former president, expressed his appreciation that the Somali leaders had gathered for a meeting to discuss the future of the country. He urged Somali leaders to “adhere to the signed agreements” and noted the progress made so far in security and moving the political process forward.

IGAD Facilitator for Somalia Kipruto Kirwa highlighted the political process in Somalia since the TFG was formed in 2004 and emphasized the importance of the ending the transition so Somalia can have a permanent federal government. Diplomats from Western countries who were present did not address the opening day of the meeting, while Ethiopian officials were noticeably absent from the meeting.

Somali principals

TFG President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed spoke briefly, addressing security gains in Mogadishu, as well as the citing achievements in the political process.

“There is more tasks left but we feel that we are moving forward towards ending the transition and completing the Roadmap tasks,” said President Sharif.

Prime Minister Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali noted progress in the Roadmap tasks and expressed his confidence that the remaining tasks could be completed on time, adding: “After 12 years, Somalia is ready to complete the transition.”

Addressing the new draft constitution, Prime Minister Ali said: “The concerns and contributions of the Roadmap signatories are valid and will be considered.”

TFG Constitution Minister Abdi Hosh, a side speaker, stated that the new draft constitution “was not drafted by the TFG but by an expert committee.” He noted that concerns about the new draft constitution will be considered and the TFG was “open to ideas.”

Puntland position

Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole said in his statement that Puntland government had “suggested a meeting of principals” to further discuss the new constitution and the ongoing political process.

President Farole said Puntland government wrote its criticism of the new draft constitution and shared with TFG and other Somali stakeholders, as well as the international community. President Farole called on the Somali leaders to “focus on the interest of the nation” and expressed his hope that the meeting would produce an outcome that gives “renewed hope to the Somali people.”

Puntland’s leader said that the new constitution “should not list federal powers” until a federal constitution is negotiated and agreed among “federated states” in Somalia. President Farole also called for the consultation of states like Puntland when Cabinet appointments are made in the emerging Somali government, “to ensure representation and participation” of states at the national level.

President Farole said: “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.”

Ahlu Sunna official Mohamed Mohamud AwLibah (the lion) accused TFG leaders of “interfering with the elders meeting for political purposes” and completely rejected a new proposition that Somali elders are taken to Turkey.

“Somali elders should play a positive role and help us complete the political process. After that, the elders can go vacation in Europe,” said AwLibah, among leaders of the pro-government Ahlu Sunna group in Gedo region of southwestern Somalia.

Reports that there was a new plan to take Somali traditional elders to Turkey for yet-unclear reasons has been rejected by key Somali leaders and powerful countries in the international community, including the U.S., according to confidential sources.

Galmudug President Mohamed Ahmed Alin told the gathering he has “no political ambitions” to lead Somalia, adding: “So I urge the leaders who want high positions in Somalia to work hard and honesty for the country.”

Dr. Mahiga, the UN envoy who chaired the meeting as head of UNPOS, closed the meeting by appealing to the Somali leaders to work together and come up with a solution to move forward the process of ending the transition. Since April 2011, the international community under Dr. Mahiga’s leadership has accelerated efforts to assist Somalia achieve a new permanent government for the first time since 1991.

Somali leaders are supposed to convene over the coming two days in Addis Ababa to discuss in detail major issues and the timetable for completing key tasks ahead of upcoming events, including provision adoption of a new constitution, election of a new bicameral parliament in accordance with the Garowe Principles agreements, and the anticipated presidential elections.