The High Court of Puntland State rejected on Monday the decision of the SSC-Khatumo Supreme Council, which announced that the SSC-Khaatumo administration would no longer be part of the semi-autonomous northern Somali state of Puntland.
The deputy chairman of the Court emphasized that the Council’s decision needs to be revisited in accordance with the procedure for separating the two administrations. He further asserted that Puntland has the right to select parliamentarians as they were previously chosen. After the election, a solution will be reached on the decision from the SSC-Khatumo Supreme Council.
Last night, Puntland’s presidential candidates accused the regional President, Said Abdullahi Deni, of sowing discord in the traditional elders’ process for selecting members of the upcoming parliament.
The candidates emphasized that the 17 MPs from SSC-Khatumo should not be selected until a political agreement is reached between the government and the opposition, ideally before December 31.
On the other hand, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Puntland candidate Abshir Omar Jama-Huruse fully supported the decision of the SSC-Khatumo Supreme Council. He called for urgent consultations between the leaders of Puntland and the contending candidates before the election date.
The Puntland elections are scheduled for January 8, 2024.
