MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) — Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has invited the leader of the semiautonomous region of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni to attend the upcoming National Consultative Council (NCC) Forum barely the northeastern region claimed to have withdrawn from the country’s federal system.
According to a statement by Villa Somalia, the conference is scheduled to be held between April 20-21 in Mogadishu.
“The National Consultative Council (NCC) Forum will discuss matters about the destiny of the country including fighting terrorism and completion of the constitution,” the statement reads in part.
Villa Somalia also invited the leaders of Jubbaland, Southwest, Galmudug and the Mayor of Mogadishu Yusuf Hussein Jimale.
The development comes two weeks after Puntland state announced that it would govern itself independently until constitutional amendments passed by the central government are approved in a nationwide referendum.
Early this month, the federal parliament in Mogadishu approved several constitutional changes that the government said were necessary to establish a stable political system.
“The Puntland administration revoked its recognition and confidence in the federal government institutions until an outright constitutional process that is mutually accepted is obtained,” the region said.
The region’s council of ministers said in a statement as a result, Puntland would have its comprehensive government authority until a federal government system is in place, with a mutually accepted Somali constitution that is subject to a public referendum.
