Galmudug protests ‘encroachment’ by Puntland over voter registration

GOOBJOOG NEWS|GALMUDUG: Galmudug government has protested what it termed as encroachment by Puntland over the ongoing voter registration in what is emerging as a contentious border dispute among regional governments in Somalia.

Galmudug Information Minister Abshir Abdi Sheikhow said Puntland had conducted voter registration in Dhinowda and Hirsalama areas of Mudug which are under the jurisdiction of Galmudug state.

“Maybe we will accept you to register people who are not from Puntland and live in a land that is not part of Puntland, but for that, let’s not work to destroy the security and peaceful coexistence of these brothers and sisters,” Sheikhow said.

When Galmudug state was formed in 2015, Puntland protested since half of Mudug region was hived out from its control. Part of Mudug joined together with Galgadud region to form Galmudug state. Puntland claimed the move was a violation of the Provisional Constitution which provides that two or more regions can come together to form a Federal Member State.

Similar disputes have been witnessed over voter registration in Sool region which is contested by Puntland and Somaliland.

The Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC) has been conducting voter registration ahead of the district council set May this year.