Former Galmudug minister lashes out at IGAD over talks with Alhusuna

A former Galmudug minister has dismissed talks between the moderate Islamist group Alhusuna wal Jamaa and Galmudug administration set to kick off in Djibouti today noting holding the talks outside the country was counterproductive.

Osman Ali who served as constitutional affairs minister during Abdikarim Guled administration said the regional block which is spearheading the talks had turned down their request to hold such talks within the country.

“IGAD has refused to have this meeting held within the country despite our struggles to have it done within  Somalia. I fear the new Galmudug leadership might be forced to accept something out the state constitution,” said Ali.

Ali’s sentiments come as talks between the two parties are set to kick of in Djibouti today. Galmudug president Ahmed Geele and his deputy are attending the talks which also brings together the leadership of Alhusuna.

Separately another former Puntland state minister has accused the state administration of Puntland of marginalizing Sool and Sanaag regions in the state.

Speaking to the Goobjoog FM Night Time News, Mohamud Hassan Jama, former state minister for Commerce and Industry lambasted Puntland administration over the political and geographical dispute in the region.

“Puntland or the entire Somalia has neglected the region. Currently it seems Puntland is not in the right path. There is enormous marginalization by all Puntland administrations which gave an easy access to Somaliland” lamented Jama.

“The regions of Sool, Sanaag and Ayn are part of Somalia. They have a historical record of defending the sovereignty of Somalia. It’s the only Somali community who fended off the English imperialism” he added.

In the recent Somaliland presidential election in mid November, voting took place in several locations in Sool and Sanaag regions without violence despite some Puntland MPs calling for the deployment of state security in the region.

Goobjoog News