Somalia: The Government of Puntland Press Release Abdi Qaybdiid and Galkayo Airport

Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers, September 26, 2014 The Government met extraordinarily this Friday, September 26, 2014, at the State House, in Garowe, to discuss the on-going written and verbal threats from Abdi Qaybdiid relating to Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport in Galkayo.

After a detailed review, analysis and discussion of recent statements from Abdi Qaybdiid regarding the alleged denial of access to Galkayo airport, denial of or stoppage of the construction of airports and more seriously, his latest threat to block with force the use of Galkayo airport.

The Council of Ministers having closely followed the continuous threats and warmongering of Abdi Qaybdiid released from Mogadishu and Adado through local and international media.

The Government of Puntland would like to make clear the following:

1. At no time was Abdi Qaybdiid denied access to land or depart from Galkayo airport. Nor was he denied the construction of an airport. As an international airport access to the Galkayo airport is open to all. Abdi Qaybdiid has for a long time travelled through Galkayo airport and to date that access remains unchanged and unhindered;

2. Similarly, the Government of Puntland would like to make clear that technical approval of standards of airports, (distance, location, construction etc.) is the responsibility of international governing bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Therefore, blame cannot be assigned to Puntland for failure to meet technical standards of makeshift runways as Abdi Qaybdiid has;

3. The Government of Puntland finds it unfortunate that Abdi Qaybdiid is making his warmongering and threatening statements from the capital city and seat of the Federal Government of Somalia, Mogadishu. The Federal Government did not respond to Abdi Qaybdiid’s blatant provocation and call for hostilities;

4. Puntland Government of Somalia reiterates that the war mongering intrigues and confrontation approach adopted by Abdi Qaybdiid has already created an atmosphere of tension and signs of instability among the peaceful inhabitants of Mudug region. We call upon the International Community to hold Abdi Qaybdiid responsible for any eventual outbreak of hostilities and bloodshed;

5. At a time when Somalia is moving fast into political stability and maturity, the Government of Puntland calls upon all Somali citizenry, in particular the peaceful inhabitants of Mudug not to fall prey into the war-posturing mentality of Abdi Qaybdiid and to join hands together to preserve peace and stability in the region and in the country as a whole;

6. The Galkayo airport has been a safe conduit of transportation for all Somalis and our international partners for over twenty years. In view of this, the Government of Puntland calls upon the International Community to fully investigate the likely violent repercussions of the repeated threats of forceful closure of Galkayo airport by Abdi Qaybdiid contrary to international laws and standards;

7. In line with our constitution, the Government of Puntland reiterates its genuine desire to have open and rational discussion as a mode of conflict resolution to uphold and safeguard peace and security across the country. That said, we reserve the right to defend and preserve our territorial integrity and the unprovoked violation of our lifeline institutions.

END