punter land or fantasy land, page-2

Somali Prime Minister, Mr. Ali Mohamed Gedi blasted Puntland regional administration after reports of agreements between Puntland and international oil exploration firms surfaced this week. In a Nairobi press conference, the prime minister said any agreement without the federal government’s acknowledgement is void and illegal. This move angered Puntland administration who fought back with their own press release contrary to what the prime minister said.

The interim government doesn’t control one inch of the country and is currently located in a small city 90 Km northeast of Mogadishu controlled by a pro-government faction leader who doesn’t hold government rank.

If you are not familiar with Somalia, when the south integrated into fiefdoms of fighting enclaves, the north of the country stayed stable and under control. The northwest (Somaliland) decided to stand alone and is seeking international recognition. However, the northeast, including the largest province in Somalia, Bari adopted a semi-autonomous system with regional and provincial governments. Puntland recognized the new federal government instantly in part because it is headed by one of their own. Mr. Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed held Puntland presidency when he went to Nairobi for a shot at the federal leadership.

A source close to Puntland administration said Puntland is in bankruptcy because revenues from Bosaso port and regional international airports go straight to Jowhar to help the fragile symbolic government in that city. The source said under the federal constitution, the federal government is barred from interfering with regional administrations for five years.

Puntland authorities said in their press-release the prime minister must apologize and cease interfering with Puntland affairs.

News Category: Somalia