Puntland Government Warns Against Derailing the Peace Process in Somalia

PRESS RELEASE 10 June 2012
Puntland Government Warns Against Derailing the Peace Process in Somalia Since there are signals that different interest groups are attempting to derail the ongoing peace process in Somalia, Puntland Government will not be responsible for any more mishaps and hurdles that could jeopardize the Roadmap process. The finalized Draft Federal Constitution of Somalia incorporates the list of revised articles signed by Somali Principals on 23 May 2012 at the Addis Ababa Meeting. Speculation over IFCC claim is a non-issue that is poor justification for more delay and setback, which Somalia cannot afford at this critical time.
Puntland Government calls upon Roadmap Signatories and international partners to support completion of the remaining benchmarks of the Roadmap process and to hold accountable whoever threatens to derail the ongoing peace process in Somalia.
Puntland Government has been a strong advocate for the restoration of a legitimate national government in Somalia under a federal system. Puntland supports the Roadmap peace process as a viable way of ending the transition on time on 20 August 2012, and establishing national government institutions under a new Somali Federal Constitution:
• Having seen the established benchmarks and timelines of the Roadmap Agreement signed in Mogadishu by Somali stakeholders on 6 September 2011;
• Having valued the 1st and 2nd Somali National Constitutional Conferences, hosted by the Puntland Government in Garowe, in December 2011 and February 2012, respectively;
• Having recognized signed agreements at the Somali Principals Meetings in Galkayo and Addis Ababa, in March 2012 and May 2012, respectively; and
• Having considered finalization of the Draft Federal Constitution after incorporation of the Signatories’ harmonized submissions;
Puntland Government acknowledges that, since IFCC and COE jointly presented to the Roadmap Signatories the final draft copy of the Draft Federal Constitution on 30 April 2012, and the Signatories reviewed the draft copy and signed an agreed list of revised articles to be incorporated into the finalized Draft Federal Constitution, as noted in the Addis Agreement of 23 May 2012, and that the Technical Committee chaired by the TFG Constitution Minister will be responsible solely for incorporating the harmonized submissions of the Signatories to constitute the final draft of the Somali Draft Federal Constitution for presentation to the National Constituent Assembly for a yes-or-no vote.
Communications Office The Puntland

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