FGS-Puntland talks actively open-Villa Somalia chief of staff

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The Federal Government is actively engaged in deliberations with Puntland following differences which arose earlier in the year, the Chief of Staff at Villa Somalia Hussein Sheikh Mohamud has said.

Mohamud told the media that the Federal Government has extended invitations to Puntand on several occasions for discussions on important issues including through the National Consultative Council (NCC). The NCC is a forum chaired by the president and comprises the Prime Ministers and heads of Federal Member States.

“In the past six meetings, some of which Puntland was absent, Puntland was always invited by the president, and its opinion was listened to, and its opportunity is still there,” Mohamud said adding that channels are opening between the two sides.

“Discussions are open and they are going on quietly now. We hope, God willing, that it will come to fruition and come together and discuss the issue,” he added.

Puntland declared in January that it will no longer be party to the NCC noting that it will only engage with the Federal Government directly. Since then, Puntland has given a wide berth NCC meetings including a crucial one in May which resulted in important deliberations touching on elections.

In particular, the NCC proposed the scrapping of the post of Prime Minister and introducing the election of the president by the voters.