By: Hassan Yarrow
GAROWE—Puntland’s regional state president, Said Abdullahi Deni, has made an appeal to Somalia’s international partners to establish a new mechanism allowing multilateral development banks to provide humanitarian support, development aid and budget assistance directly to Puntland.
This request comes at the backdrop of an increasing political conflict between Puntlant State and the federal government headed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
In a letter sent to the international community on Sunday seen by Kulan Post, President Deni accused the federal government of “politicizing donor assistance and budgetary support intended for Puntland through multilateral development banks.”
Deni stated that Mogadishu has been using donor aid for politically motivated agendas since his re-election, citing the “politicization of Puntland State’s earmarked projects, programs and budgetary support” over the past 18 months.
Despite Puntland’s efforts to engage constructively with the multilateral development banks, donors and Mogadishu, the regional president insists that “these attempts have been unsuccessful.”
“Unfortunately, these efforts have been met with no success. Despite our commitment to dialogue and negotiations, Mogadishu has initiated a campaign of disinformation and misinformation, blaming Puntland for not being flexible and open to collaboration,” the letter said in part.
The regional leader argued that Mogadishu’s actions “disregard the constitutional mandate and overlook the nation’s fragile state, potentially jeopardizing Somalia’s stability and unity.”
President Deni appealed to Somalia’s bilateral and multilateral partners to recognize “the gravity of the current situation and to provide their support in ensuring that Puntland receives the necessary donor assistance and grant budgetary support, free from Mogadishu’s politicization.”
Deni further called for the establishment of an alternative mechanism that would enable the multilateral development banks to provide aid and support directly to Puntland; bypassing the federal government.
“We are urging Somalia’s international partners to use their influence to safeguard democracy, uphold the rule of law, and promote peace throughout the country,” the letter continued.
In March, the Puntland administration withdrew its recognition of the Federal Government of Somalia, citing recent constitutional amendments as a breach of the federal pact that binds the nation together.
The amendments, which was approved by the Somali Federal Parliament, sparked political turmoil and a widening political fall-out between the administration and its opponents.
