Somalia: Fissures engulf Elders’ Gathering in Puntland

GAROWE, Somalia-In what appears to be yet a clearest sign for brewing division, a group of clan elders on Wednesday issued a communique, warning of “serious consequences” of controversial conference staged in northeastern Qardo town, Garowe Online reports. 

Sultan Bashir Muse Konte read out a four-point communique to the media in the State capital of Garowe, and pointed to interference from unnamed external actors. 

Konte called Qardo Forum a “politicized one” that does not entail traditional values whatsoever, praising some clan elders for expressing reservations. On Tuesday, Puntland President Abdweli Mohamed Ali opened the conference hosted by Bogor Burhan Bogor Musse. 

Ali urged Somali elders gathering at East Africa University (EAU) campus in Qardo to serve the common good, and spearhead unity campaign ahead of parliamentary and presidential election and selection process by August this year.  

Another group of clan elders carved own conference out in Garowe in protest at what they described inconclusive meeting being aimed at sowing differences among traditional leaders, the country’s unrivalled spectrum.  

Continuing, Konte asked United Nations and politicians to refrain from any move that could put the long-cherished harmony within the tradition in jeopardy.  

Puntland clan elders in Garowe lamented poking nose into wider business at a time of heightened polarization in the northeastern State.  The split began in 2013 over Mogadishu forum, and had its bar raised on the eve of Puntlandpresidential elections in early 2014.

GAROWEONLINE