Sweeping proposals by Puntland dropped in electoral pact with Federal Government

A final agreement between the Federal Government Puntland has whittled down a raft of proposals by Puntland in what could be seen as cushioning the government from possible counter reactions from other regional administrations.

In the agreement signed by the Federal Government, Puntland and overseen by representatives from IGAD, AMISOM, UN and the EU, a number of demands made by Puntland and agreed on by the government in an earlier draft were dropped with generalities retained.

In the earlier agreement, Puntland had demanded that should a one person one vote option fail in the 2020 polls, then an option fronted by Puntland hitherto shall be adopted for the election of the Upper and Lower Houses. This would have meant that the Lower House members would be chosen based on the 1991 districts while that of the Upper House would be based on the 18 districts of 1991.

A universal vote is not optional, the two parties agreed, watering down Puntland’s second thought which provided for a plan B.

Regarding the election of Lower House members, the agreement notes that seats shall be contested by a number of candidates as shall be agreed by the National Leadership Forum and shall include female candidates from the specific clan grouping. Puntland had initially proposed a capping of five candidates.

The agreement also dropped the minimum for the number of candidates for each seat in the Upper House contrary to Puntland’s minimum of two.

Other aspects dropped out include Puntland’s proposal that it be considered for senior and mid level positions in the Federal Government, a right to enter into international agreements on development and exploitation of natural resources for its own benefits. Instead, the international community noted it acknowledged the bilateral talks between the Federal Government and Puntland in constitutional review, federation process, development aid and security.

The European Union envoy to Somalia Michele Cervone Durso termed the agreement as a breakthrough paving way for the 2016 elections and the first step towards one person one vote in 2020.

The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia UNSOM has also praised the signing of the agreement.