Hiiraan Online
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Galmudug President Abdikarim Guled
MOGADISHU (HOL) – A new report by the United Nations Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring group alleged that political associates close to the Somali president have invested heavily – financially and politically in manipulating state formations.
The report has accused Damul Jadid, a political party close to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of having influenced the appointment of Abdikarim Hussein Guled as the president of Galmudug State.
The report has also noted that Ala Sheikh, a political party close to the former president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed attempted to buy support for their appointees throughout the state formation process – from the allegiance of members of the technical committee to voting preferences of the 68 members of the Regional Assembly.
“None, however, had the comparative advantage that Abdikarim Guled received from the outset.” The report said.
Analysing the controversies surrounding the formation of the Galkayo-based Galmudug State, the UN report says it demonstrated ‘inherent’ risks to the peace, security and stability of Somalia involved in the federalization process.
“In a contest fought by a complex array of political, clan and business networks, the FGS lost a powerful allied militia and has potentially opened a new front of conflict as a resurgent Al-Shabaab threatens to reverse territorial gains made against it.” the report’s analysts said.
The report has also warned that the political storm may threaten fragile peace agreement signed in 1993 between communities living in Mudug Region which it said at risk of collapsing, which could result in inter-communal conflict spreading throughout central Somalia, and would likely prompt the total withdrawal of Puntland from the federal project.
The development comes on backdrops of Somalia's government efforts aimed at pushing for greater collaborations with the regional administrations trying to cut out the central government's influence in state formation process.
Puntland, a semiautonomous region in northern Somalia has its own force, government and income, while Jubbaland, a Kenyan-backed administration based in Kismayo town tries to reduce the government's influence after political bickering cantered on the port's income with the Somali government.
Puntland has recently expressed outrage over the ongoing efforts to form a government-backed regional administration in central Somalia which tries to bring large swathes in the region, including Galkayo, a town which is partially ruled by Puntland under its control.
It says the new administration aims to annex parts of its territory.
In addition, the Baidoa-based Southwestern State and Galmudug continue to maintain close relations with the government.