'Puntland shall remain independent' of Somalia

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'Puntland shall remain independent' of Somalia: Puntland President
22 Mar 22, 2008 - 7:45:33 PM

GAROWE, Somalia Mar 22 (Garowe Online) - The president of Somalia's semiautonomous state of Puntland issued a signed statement Saturday published by the government Web site, where the Puntland leader effectively claimed that the region is 'independent' of Somalia.

President Mohamud "Adde" Muse's online statement, dated March 22 and entitled "Puntland Government Policy Statement," detailed the region's relations with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the international community.

Madaxweynaha Puntland Cadde Muse
The statement was published by PuntlandGovt.com, a Web site affiliated with the government of Puntland.

On Puntland issues, President Muse's statement focused on the "liberation of the capital of Sool," strengthening domestic security and completing the democratization process in the region.

In this regard, the statement said the government of Puntland had allocated an extra 5% of the budget to the Ministry of Security, in addition to the Ministry's regular budget.

The statement described ongoing initiatives, such as the establishment of a Civil Service Commission and praised the work of the Constitutional Review Committee, which recently unveiled the region's revised Constitution.

On national matters, the Puntland leader's policy statement described the TFG as being "beset with divisions" and "inept to fulfill the duties expected of it," but stated that Prime Minister Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein's call for reconciliation offers a "glimpse of hope."

But a clause in the President's policy statement has raised eyebrows both inside Puntland and in the Diaspora.

"Until such a time an all-inclusive federal constitution is effected and state governments, convinced with the sharing of power and resources, are instituted, Puntland's support of the TFG should not be interpreted in any manner that Puntland is part of the TFG," the clause read, adding: "Puntland shall remain independent for its laws, policies and interests."

Insiders suggest the Puntland leader's statement reflects his desire to legalize a 2005 agreement he signed with an Australian company to explore for oil and minerals in the region.

That deal has faced steady resistance from local clans and from the TFG, including federal Energy Minister Mohamud Ali Salah, who called the Muse administration's attempt to ratify its own oil law "unacceptable" in a press statement.

Puntland legislators were deeply divided on the oil law, as reflected by Wednesday's 21-21 vote. Government officials have claimed that the oil law was passed, although parliament Speaker Ahmed Ali Hashi has asked the government to return the law for a second vote.

RELATED:
Oil Law Divides Puntland Lawmakers
Africa Oil Corp. representatives visit Puntland
Somalia: Energy Minister Rejects Puntland Oil Law

Source: Garowe Online