GAROWE, Somalia – Puntland MPs voted to extend a 1-year term after a call by the SSC-Khatumo elders, who seek their autonomy to separate from the Puntland state of Somalia.
The SSC-Khatumo recommended that the current term of the Puntland parliament be extended for 12 months so that they can elect the president and his deputy in 2025.
The parliament is divided on the decision which adds fuel to the fire as the incumbent Said Abdullahi Deni called for a timely election on 8th January 2023 following months of dispute.
The speaker of the parliament, Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril, said that he would appoint the committee for the election of the president and his deputy in the next few hours.
It is unclear how the decision will proceed, as last night Deni announced that Puntland returned to the clan-based election which 66 MPs picked by elders will choose a president.
President Deni planned a direct vote in February 2024 but his opposition rejected it and vowed to hold a parallel election next month, which will run Puntland for five years.
Despite its relative stability, the region has endured armed conflict over the election process and grabbed the world headlines after deadly clashes erupted in Garowe in June.
