Wednesday May 22, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali President's Adviser on
Constitutional Affairs, Hussein Sheikh Mohamud, has accused Puntland leader
Said Abdullahi Deni of absenting himself from the negotiation table due to his
own political interests.
In an interview with a local television station in
Mogadishu, the adviser stated that Puntland lawmakers in the federal parliament
voted for amendments to the country's constitution, noting that President Deni
appears to be the only one opposing these changes.
"The man who wrote down the names of 60 MPs on his
hand... can't say I know more about the government than you do. Have you heard
anyone from Puntland in the federal parliament objecting to the constitutional
amendments?" said Hussein Sheikh Mohamud.
Mohamud emphasized that the two houses of parliament have
the authority over the constitution and urged state governments to trust the
MPs they have sent to represent them in the federal parliament.
In March, Somalia's two houses of parliament unanimously
approved four chapters of its constitution, which include freedom of
expression, women's representation, and a leadership system.
However, Puntland leader, former Somali Presidents Farmaajo
and Sheikh Shariif, and other politicians objected to the parliament’s move to
amend the constitution.