Puntland’s New Position Towards the TFG of Somalia

Puntland State of Somalia

Garowe

PRESS RELEASE

January 16, 2011

Puntland’s New Position Towards the TFG of Somalia

Considering the lack of participation, consultation and representation of Puntland Government during the 2008-2009 Djibouti Peace Process which led to the formation of the current Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia;

Considering the lack of implementation on the part of TFG of the Galkayo Accord (23 August 2009) and the subsequent Memorandum of Understanding on Security Cooperation (12 April 2010), signed between the TFG and Puntland;

Considering the marginalization of Puntland from the international community’s initiatives and funding intended for the reconstruction and development of Somalia as a whole, including past and ongoing training of Somali security forces in countries like Uganda, Kenya, and Djibouti;

Considering the TFG obstruction to the timely completion of the Draft Federal Constitution, mainly due to TFG leaders’ unwillingness to actively support federalism for Somalia in violation of the TFG Charter;

Considering the TFG lack of progress on security, delivery of public services and establishment of Federal States in accordance with the TFG Charter;

Considering the weakness and lack of capacity of the TFG leadership to advance national reconciliation and to put forth a viable and visible way forward for lasting settlement in Somalia during and after the current TFG mandate expires;

Taking into account the fact that the TFG has been involved in creating anti-government armed militias aiming to destabilize peaceful regions of Somalia;

In an extra-ordinary meeting, the Puntland Council of Ministers has today decided the following:

·         Praises the international community’s role in providing continued humanitarian and development assistance to Somalia, and especially welcomes the role of the African Union peacekeeping mission (AMISOM) in Mogadishu;

·         Requests the international community not to endorse or cooperate with the TFG as a legitimate representative of Puntland;

·         Proclaims that Puntland shall not cooperate with the TFG until a legitimate and representative Federal Government is established and agreed upon by the legitimate stakeholders in Somalia;

·         Declares that the TFG does not represent Puntland in international forums and calls upon the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) to reconsider its position and support for the TFG at the expense of other Somali stakeholders;

·         Welcomes, supports and endorses the  new U.S. Dual-Track Policy which is based on realities on the ground in Somalia;

·         Remains fully committed to deal separately with the international community on reconstruction, development and reconciliation matters for Somalia, namely: the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Conference, the European Union, the United States, and all donor communities-at-large;

·         Asserts its firm opposition to any term-extension for the TFG under all conditions;

·         Calls for and welcomes to host a broad-based Somali National Reconciliation Conference to be held in Puntland.

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