Garowe(Mogadishu24)-Puntland State politicians have expressed grave concerns against the amendments, particularly on Election reforms and system, approved by the parliament on Tuesday.

The Politicians stated that the parliament’s decisions are driven by personal gains and favoritism towards the President, rather than serving the community as required.

In a televised address, Hassan Shire Abdi, Puntland State’s former finance minister, stated that the parliament approved the disputed amendments despite ongoing consultations between the opposition and the community elders seeking a solution to the stalemate that has caused armed conflicts in Garowe city.

“There are ongoing consultations between the community leaders and the politicians aim to seek a solution for the political impasse that has caused conflicts in Garowe, including the fight between the armed forces. However, the outgoing president and the parliament have taken a surprising action that will escalate the situation,” said Hassan Shire, the former State Minister for finance.

The former minister further claimed that corruption played a role in the decision of the parliament, stating that the members of parliament were given money to approve the amendments within the parliamentary premises.

“It is very unfortunate that the members of parliament were corrupted to pass these amendments that favor the outgoing president. They were given money within the parliamentary building,” he added.

He termed the move of the parliament as null and void, comparing it to the extension of term that was passed by the Federal Government in April 2021, which favored the former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.

The Puntland Politicians Forum has previously filed a case at the Puntland State Constitutional Court, citing concerns over President Said Abdullahi Deni’s proposed electoral system that appears to favor him and his party in the upcoming elections. However, there efforts did not bear fruits as the parliament passed the amendments following pressure from the President Deni.

Prior, several efforts were made by former leaders of Puntland State to seek solutions, including the former Somali Prime Ministers Omar Abdirashid Sharmaarke, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas on Monday landed in Garowe, the administrative capital of Puntland State in Somalia, aiming at seeking solutions to recent conflict in the region.

The Federal Members of Parliament representing Puntland State have also issued a stern warning to the Puntland State Parliament in regards to a proposed constitutional amendment that has triggered a political stalemate and sparked conflicts in Garowe.

Previously, concerned parties filed a case at the Puntland State Constitutional Court, expressing worries about President Said Abdullahi Deni’s proposed electoral system, which seemed to favor him and his party in the forthcoming elections. Unfortunately, their efforts did not yield the desired results as the parliament passed the amendments under pressure from President Deni.

Former leaders of Puntland State, including former Somali Prime Ministers Omar Abdirashid Sharmaarke and Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, made several attempts to find solutions to the recent conflicts in the region. However, the political stalemate and tensions in Garowe persisted.

The Federal Members of Parliament representing Puntland State issued a stern warning to the Puntland State Parliament regarding a proposed constitutional amendment that further exacerbated the situation.

Puntland State is preparing for its presidential election on January 8, 2024. This election marks a significant milestone as the region embraces its first-ever democratic elections under the “one person, one vote” approach. The upcoming election holds immense importance for Puntland’s future, as it aims to strengthen democratic principles and ensure the representation of every citizen.