PUNTLAND PRESIDENT “HOPEFUL” ABOUT A PLANNED SUMMIT IN GAROWE

[Deeq A.]

Garowe ( PPM) — In a break with previous administrations, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has introduced a monthly speech on government activities. Yesterday evening President Deni delivered a speech via Puntland State Television.

The speech, which was streamed through YouTube, had  provided President Deni with an opportunity to discuss challenges facing Puntland State of which Covid-19 is the most pressing. “I urge people to follow rules to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. Khat is a main transmission source of the disease” Deni said. Khat is still imported to Puntland. Chewing it is a form of socialising for men, who meet in designated places known as majlis (council). Puntland  has not temporarily banned importation of Khat.

President Deni: Khat is a main source of Covid-19 transmission

President Deni welcomed efforts of Galmudug State President, Ahmed Abdi Kaariye, who met with his former rivals to form an inclusive administration. Deni’s administration was neutral in the power struggle that culminated in the defeat of the former paramilitary group, Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a.

He welcomed talks between Jubaland administration and former Presidential candidates in Nairobi and urged the Federal Government to push the talks. Deni called for an end to feuding in Jubaland between two communities.

Puntland State President said he was sanguine about a summit he called for, to  be  held in Garowe for the Federal Government and  other Federal Member States. A similar summit held in Garowe one year ago ended in failure. President Deni is exploring ways to revive the former Council of Inter–State Cooperation (CIC) that  his predecessor co-founded to exert pressure on the Federal Government in Mogadishu.

President Deni enumerated the progress his administration has made to date in the security reform. “The investigation into the assassination of the former Nugaal Governor is under way” he said.

He criticised journalists for publishing unsubstantiated reports. “Journalists must verify information with the government” Deni  said. During the Consultative Conference held in Garowe last month, Puntland Government denied local journalists access to the venue of the conference and had given Puntland Government journalists the privilege to report on the government activities.  

“His criticism is an attempt to grant Puntland Government media outlets the sole privilege to report on government activities” said  Abdullah Ali, a media analyst in Garowe.

© Puntland Post Monthly, 2020  

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