MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Galmudug leader Ahmed Qoorqoor has cancelled a planned trip to the town of Garowe to persuade Puntland president to attend Dhusamareb meeting, designed to focus on upcoming elections.
In the past few days, after the second round of Dhusamareb meeting scheduled to open on 15 August has come closer to abysmal failure, Galmudug President decided to influence Puntland leader in joining up again with other FMS and FGS leaders, but his efforts lacked the support of the federal government.
Galmudug officials in Dhusamareb have told somaliguardian that president Qoorqoor cancelled his trip to Garowe due to pressure from Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo – who insisted that Dhusamareb meeting goes on without the participation of Puntland and Jubaland leaders.
President Farmajo also rejected the presence of foreign diplomats at the meeting as both Puntland and Jubaland administrations urged if they were to return to the Dhusamareb venue.
Somali officials announced on Sunday that the meeting was opened, but reports from Dhusamreb said only a few separate meetings occurred since then at an unofficial capacity.
In the last few hours, there have been reports that President Farmajo accepted an Electoral College system on the condition that the number of delegates is increased.
The meeting was crucial for reaching consensus on key electoral aspects before the tenure of the incumbent president expires within 3 months, but the absence of Jubaland and Puntland leaders became a significant hurdle to potential fruitful results.
Somalia’s International partners sternly warned of unilateral decision on electoral models and instead called for broad-based consensus.
Puntland and Jubaland states as well as opposition figures raised concern that President Farmajo was trying to wear them down by attrition, having no intention to arrive at an agreement over contentious election issues.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
