One of the agenda points proposed by Puntland and Jubaland revolves around “discussion on the legitimacy of federal institutions whose term(s) have expired”, a proposal Jubaland and Puntland see as crucial to finalising the 17 September Electoral Agreement.
“Puntland and Jubaland are in Mogadishu in response to demands from the International Community for a consultative summit” reads the press release.
The Federal Government of Somalia invited Federal Member States to attend a summit to finalise the electoral agreement.
Puntland and Jubaland are seeking a guarantor role for the International Community in any electoral agreement and a participatory role for National Salvation Forum members in the talks.
“There are two options on the table if Puntland and Jubaland decline to attend the electoral summit unconditionally: a term extension for federal institutions or a return to the electoral law for one person, one vote elections” said Hussein Ali, a political journalist working with a Mogadishu-based radio station.
The chasm between the Federal Government and the two Federal Member States has grown following demands by Puntland and Jubaland leaders to sideline the incumbent President Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed during the electoral talks.
This article first appeared in the © Puntland Post, 2021 and is republished with permission