(16-06-23) GAROWE —On Saturday, the agenda of the Puntland Parliament has been thrust into the heart of the debate for the forthcoming 2023/2024 Puntland presidential and parliamentarian elections, thus offering hope to break the cycle of uncertainty clouding the region’s future.
In the past few months, the Puntland state of Somalia has been under a cloud of political ambiguity. The latest political discussions, revolving around the presidential and parliamentary elections, aim to dispel the uncertainty and steer the region towards a stable and secure future.
Key issues on the agenda include the ongoing situation in the disputed Sool region, concerns about the security of the capital, Garowe, and the long-standing issue of unpaid wages for workers and soldiers.
Over the last few weeks, an increasing number of Puntland’s politicians have been vocal in their criticism of the current administration, calling on President Said Deni to tackle these matters head-on. Of particular concern is the regularity of wage payments, a topic that many believe needs immediate attention and an increase in allocated resources.
President Said Deni’s term is scheduled to conclude in January 2024, which will see Puntland hosting its next election. However, the timing of this has been a contentious issue. Puntland has rejected the National Consultative Council’s (NCC) resolution stipulating that the Federal Member States (FMS) presidents should be elected in November 2024.
