Sunday January 7, 2024
Istanbul (HOL) - Jama Abdullahi Mohamed, Somalia's Ambassador to Turkey since 2017, has announced his resignation to enter the race for the vice presidency of Puntland. This move comes ahead of the upcoming elections in the Federal Member State in northeastern Somalia.
Mohamed announced X (formerly Twitter)." Since I am running for Vice President of Puntland, I have resigned from my ambassadorship. I appreciate President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the diplomats I have worked closely with over the past 6.5 years."
Puntland, known for its untapped oil and gas reserves, faces challenges due to persistent instability. The arid region has been a battleground for disputes between the national government and local officials over energy and electoral laws. Additionally, Puntland is infamously recognized as a stronghold for pirate activities and Islamic State militants.
With a population of approximately 4.9 million, Puntland is gearing up for elections. The territory's political scene is further complicated by recent developments in Somaliland, Puntland's neighbour, which self-declares independence. Somaliland recently struck a highly controversial maritime deal with Ethiopia, allowing the landlocked nation access to the Red Sea in return for a stake in Ethiopian Airlines.
Somalia, which maintains sovereignty over the territory under United Nations recognition, has denounced this agreement as illegal and has withdrawn its ambassador to Ethiopia amid rising tensions.
A select group of 66 lawmakers will determine Puntland's next administration in a meeting set to take place in Garowe, the region's capital. This indirect electoral process, where clan leaders appoint regional parliament members, reflects a departure from the proposed one-person, one-vote model.
Jama Abdullahi Mohamed, a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in community service, humanitarian efforts, and educational development, particularly in Puntland and Somaliland, brings a unique perspective to the political arena. His background as an ICT engineer, business developer, and entrepreneur, coupled with his academic pursuits, including a Ph.D. candidacy and an MBA in Project Management, positions him as a formidable candidate in the upcoming elections.
The shift from a diplomatic role to a political candidate marks a significant transition for Ambassador Mohamed. His tenure as ambassador strengthened diplomatic and trade relations between Turkey and Somalia and expanded Somalia's diplomatic reach to Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.