Thursday October 3, 2024
Garowe (HOL) – Puntland Minister of Information Mohamud Aydid Dirir criticized the ongoing National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting in Mogadishu and the recent appointment of the country's police chief.
Speaking in Garowe on Thursday, Dirir expressed skepticism about the NCC's ability to address the pressing issues facing Somalia, particularly in Baidoa and Puntland.
"The meeting is not needed now and cannot solve the current issues in Somalia. It cannot solve issues in Baidoa and Puntland," Dirir stated.
Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni's absence from the NCC meeting reflects the ongoing political disputes with federal leaders, especially President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Dirir also dismissed the significance of Diyano's appointment as police chief, emphasizing that it would not impact Puntland's stance toward the Federal Government.
"The appointment of the police chief of the federal government will not affect the position of Puntland. We consider that anyone from Puntland who takes office in the federal government is not outside of Mogadishu's authority," Dirir said.
General Asad Osman Abdullahi Diyano, who hails from Puntland State, was recently appointed as Somalia's police chief, replacing Major General Sulub Ahmed Firin, who now serves as Deputy Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation. However, Diyano's appointment has been met with resistance from Puntland's leadership, as he is seen as an opposition figure to the current regional administration.
In a separate statement, Puntland Vice President Ilyas Elmi Lugatoor emphasized that Puntland's conflict with the Federal Government is not personal but rooted in policy disagreements. He underscored that Puntland's opposition to the federal leadership would persist regardless of who holds the office of the prime minister or president if their policies conflict with Puntland's interests.
"Anyone who comes to the seat of the prime minister or the president of Somalia, if he is working with a view that is against the interests of Puntland, we will oppose him, even if he is from Puntland," said Lugatoor, calling for a return to governance based on the agreed constitution.
Tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government have escalated since May 2023, when the Puntland State leader's unsuccessful bid to become Prime Minister. Deni had supported President Mohamud during the 2022 presidential elections, with many political analysts predicting Deni would be selected for the prime minister role. However, this did not materialize, contributing to the current strained relations.