Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, announced on Tuesday that Puntland State will not be forced to accept the agreement reached on May 27 by the National Consultative Council.

Part of this agreement contains the establishment of only two political parties in the country and transition from a parliamentary system to a democratic one, allowing citizens to elect their leaders.

Minister Fiqi stated that Puntland, which had strongly opposed the agreement, will remain outside the electoral system adopted by his government.

The electoral system which was agreed at the National Consultative Council conference in Baidoa will be implemented in the four other federal member states and the Banadir region, according to Somalia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Fiqi.

“The remaining four state administrations and the Benadir regional administration have unanimously agreed to be part of this agreement on the country’s electoral system. Puntland State is not part of this system, but we hope that it will be in the near future, Insha Allah (God willing),” said Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi.

The Minister highlighted that the agreement will be implemented and won’t be hindered by the strong opposition from Puntland State and opposition politicians.

“Despite the opposition from Puntland State and opposition politicians, the agreement made on May 27 by the National Consultative Council will be implemented. After five years, it will be open for Puntland to participate in these elections,” the minister added.

This statement comes days after Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni strongly expressed his opposition to the agreements made by the National Consultative Council (NCC) in Baidoa, stating that they would have huge implications on the unity of Somalia.

Puntland State leaders have refused to participate in several meetings between the federal government and its member states aimed at promoting peace and stability in the country.

President Deni stated that the National Consultative Council is not a constitutionally established body mandated to make decisions on emerging issues within the country.

The President of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, is actively advocating for the implementation of the agreement, which stipulates that the country should have two national parties and replace the Prime Minister’s office with a Vice President.

However, this agreement is facing strong opposition from former leaders, including former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, and other opposition politicians.