Garowe(Mogadishu24)-The President of Puntland State, Said Abdullahi Deni, appointed a seven-member committee on negotiations of electoral issues on Tuesday amid escalated tensions between the government and opposition politicians.

In a statement, the State’s President mentioned that he appointed the committee following consultations with the Deputy President, the Speaker of the Parliament, and political leaders.

The committee comprises serving ministers and influential officials who are currently serving in the Puntland State government led by President Deni. The appointed members are as follows:

1. Abdi Farah Said Juha (Chairman)
2. Ibrahim Artan Haji Bakin (Member)
3. Dr. Naima Abdirahman (Member)
4. Abdullahi Mohamed Hassan (Member)
5. Mohamed Abdirahman Dhabancad (Member)
6. Hassan Yusuf Majabe (Member)
7. Hassan Caballa Hassan (Member)

This appointment comes a week after the Puntland State President declared his readiness to engage with opposition politicians and discuss reaching resolutions on electoral affairs.

However, it was followed by tensions, including military movements in Garowe City, leading to the displacement of several families.

Chaos and drama erupted at Puntland State’s Parliament on Thursday last week as members strongly disagreed on the implementation of electoral laws, prompting heated arguments. This occurred after the special committee on the electoral law proposed to delay its approval and implementation, stating that it would escalate tensions in Garowe City.

Puntland State Parliament Speaker, Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril, immediately adjourned the session and dissolved the committee led by Sadik Abshir Garaad.

On Monday, the Puntland House of Representatives rejected the implementation of the electoral law.

The opposition politicians are yet to comment on the recent appointment by the President, although they have publicly opposed the one-person-one-vote elections.

They claimed that the president is willing to extend his term and called for transparent and timely elections.

Somalia’s international partners have expressed grave concerns and called for calm and peaceful dialogue between the president and the opposition.