By: Hassan Yarrow
GAROWE—The leader of the Puntland regional state, Said Abdullahi Deni, has voiced opposition to the communique made at the end of the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting held in Mogadishu.
Speaking to local reporters in Garowe on Saturday, President Deni stated that the four-day meeting “lacked consensus” and did not serve the interests of the Somali nation.
“A few people making decisions do not truly reflect the community’s feelings; it is a waste of time. I hope common sense prevails and these individuals accurately describe the complicated situation in the country,” said Deni.
Deni also highlighted the ongoing insecurity in many parts of Somalia and the “lack of taking into account the prevailing opinion of the general public against the contentious constitutional amendments.”
The National Consultative Council, a summit made up of the federal and regional states, has fully endorsed the recent Constitutional Amendments.
In a communique released on Saturday evening, the Council called on the parliament to expedite the approval process for the remaining chapters, taking into account past agreements reached by the National Consultative Council.
The communique further noted that the “agreement marks an important step forward, as it quashes rumors that the leaders of Jubaland, Southwest, Galmudug, and Hirshabelle were dissatisfied with the ongoing constitutional review process.”
