Reprieve in Puntland as Deni Yields to Pressure on Electoral Formula

GOOBJOOG NEWS|GAROWE: Puntland President Abdullahi Deni has walked back in his push for one-person, one-vote elections, signalling a sigh of relief in the easterly state following several months of tensions that spilled into full-scale fighting mid this year that claimed over 30 lives.

The embattled leader, who had been under intense pressure from the opposition, clan elders and even the international community, announced Wednesday night that clan elders will elect the state parliamentarians. This is contrary to his earlier stance that the 66 MPs who make up the Puntland state assembly would be elected directly by the electorate. The Puntland Electoral Commission (PEC) had also stood by this position.

However, the opposition, which has variously accused Deni of seeking to extend his stay in office demanded that the MPs be picked by the clan elders as has been the case. They argued that there were no adequate preparations for state-wide elections. The PEC in its directive in late October set the elections for February 8 but the opposition demanded that elections be held on January 8 when Deni’s constitutionally mandated term ends.

Western diplomats have also exerted pressure on Deni to allow for the clan-based arrangement. The UK ambassador to Somalia Mike Nithavrianakis visited Garowe last week where he met Deni, opposition leaders and civil society representatives.

Villa Somalia welcomed Deni’s decision terming it as a ‘step to strengthen the stability and political development of Puntland and Somalia in general.’

Puntland state parliament made changes to the constitution in June allowing for the conduct of elections through a universal vote sparking protests that culminated into deadly clashes.