MOGADISHU – Somalia’s regional leaders announced to have cut all ties with the central government on Saturday in a likely setback to efforts to pacify the Horn of Africa country as it emerges from two decades of conflict.
The leaders of Jubaland, Puntland, Southwest, Galmudug and Hirshabelle regions officially cut ties with the federal government “until all the previous agreements are implemented”, according to a memo obtained by Allgalgaduud Online.
The Federal government was also accused of “interfering” regional issues and “failed” to manage security of the country, said in the memo.
The move by the regional leaders seems
a potentially political setback in Somalia, amid on-going efforts to make peace in the war-reveged country.
“We have suspended all cooperation with the federal government ovee lack of political progress, failure to build national security architecture, “politicisation” of National Intellegence functions and lack of sharing of national income and international aid”, the memo said.
The regional leaders, who have been meeting in Kismayo town, some 500km south of Mogadishu since Tuesday had raised concerns about funding from the Federal Government, reiterating earlier accusations of inadequate support.
In a similar meeting in May held in Baidoa town, the leaders claimed that they were not getting a share of international aid to the Federal Government and called donors to separate funds.
There was no immediate comment from the Federal government over the latest decision announced regional leaders in Somalia.
