Mogadishu, Somalia — Former Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has spoken about the country’s political situation, focusing on constitutional amendments, the conduct of elections in Somalia’s federal member states and the need for an agreement on federal elections.
Mr Sharmarke said some recent political measures were contributing to further divisions in the country. He called for constitutional and electoral issues to be addressed through consultation and an inclusive political agreement.
“It appears that constitutional amendments that were not subjected to broad consultation, the mismanagement of federal member state elections, and the delay in reaching an agreement on federal elections have increased divisions in the country,” Mr Sharmarke said.
“We must not lose the courage to correct these political and legal issues, which ultimately require the leaders of the federal government and the federal member states to understand and accept the constitutional limits of their powers.”
Mr Sharmarke also stressed the importance of protecting Somalia’s statehood and sovereignty. He said Puntland had invested significant effort and resources in building the Somali state and that its people would not accept what he described as “mental surrender”.
“We have made significant investments and efforts in the sovereignty and statehood of this country, Somalia. Therefore, mental surrender will never be an option for the people of Puntland,” he said.
“The most important point to emerge from these documents is that an agreement on the federal elections must be reached at an appropriate time,” the former prime minister added.
