Puntland backs PM Roble as differences with Farmaajo escalate

The state government of Puntland has hailed Somalia Prime Minister, Mohamed Hussein Roble, for denouncing President Farmajo’s order barring government agencies from entering agreements with foreign countries.

Roble, whose tenure has given Somalia a new political hope that could see the country hold peaceful presidential polls couldn’t see anything wrong in strengthening ties with foreign governments or bodies.
For several months, Somalia was caught up in a political quagmire, which led to the unprecedented delay of polls.

Roble, who took over in October 2020, has managed to sign an agreement with the opposition, paving the way for elections. Already, several states have started electing senators in an exercise that will be concluded in the coming weeks.
In a statement, Puntland praised Roble during this transition, taking the country to elections and strengthening diplomatic ties with other countries. The issue of elections was settled in May after weeks of differences among stakeholders.
Puntland further insisted that it is confident that PM Mohamed Roble will deliver the country from the current maladministration, adding that all federal states should rally behind him during this difficult moment in his political career.
Roble has been under fire from Villa Somalia for pursuing an agreement with Kenya. On Sunday, the PM held meetings with Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Raychelle Omamo ahead of his planned visit to Nairobi, which Formaajo has reportedly opposed.
The PM also dismissed the move by Farmaajo to bar government institutions from entering the deals with countries amid the ongoing elections, adding that the cabinet has powers to enter an agreement with foreign countries. It’s believed that Farmaajos decree is aimed at undermining Roble’s planned visit to Nairobi.
The statement also covered a wide range of issues surrounding the election and the transition period. It noted that significant progress had been made since Mohamed Roble assumed office, among them, the resolving political impasse between FGS and FMS