The Maakhir Elders’ Council in Lascaanod city has issued a statement reflecting their position on the establishment of the new administration to be implemented in the Sool, Sanaag, Cayn and Haylaan regions.
The elders, who are part of the delegation participating in the SSC-Khaatumo administration conference, strongly condemned what they called an attempt to mislead the will of the people, noting that such efforts are hindering the development that the community deserves.
They specifically warned against the pursuit of political interests in the administration formation process, calling on the leaders of the Somali federal government – especially the Minister of Interior – to maintain the necessary impartiality, in order to maintain public confidence in the administration process.
The Elders’ Council also noted the importance of avoiding corruption and conflicting interests that could disrupt the establishment of the SSC-Khaatumo administration, calling for the new administration process to be transparent, fair, and reflect the will of the local people.
The leaders called on Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre to truly listen to the voice of the people and the need for a formal administration that is not based on vested interests.
They stressed that the new administration should be seen by the community as a source of hope and a solution to the long-standing oppression and insecurity that the local people have been dealing with.
The council’s statement comes at a time when the official name of the administration, its capital, and the distribution of the number of members of the SSC-Khaatumo administration’s council of representatives are set to be officially announced today.
On the other hand, there is still a strong debate about the number of members and the distribution of power, which needs to be approached in a balanced and inclusive manner.
