Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NAIROBI8
2009-01-05 13:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
SOMALIA - PUNTLAND PARLIAMENT ELECTS NEW SPEAKER
how-toVZCZCXRO9756 OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #0008 0051337 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 051337Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8115 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEPVAA/COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 7456
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000008
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PROG PINR SOCI KDEM SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - PUNTLAND PARLIAMENT ELECTS NEW SPEAKER
REF: NAIROBI 7
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000008
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PROG PINR SOCI KDEM SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - PUNTLAND PARLIAMENT ELECTS NEW SPEAKER
REF: NAIROBI 7
1. (U) Summary: Puntland's newly-seated Parliament elected a
new Speaker on January 3. Member of Parliament Abdirashid
Muhammad Hersi, from Mudug Region, was the only candidate and
was elected unanimously. In accordance with the tradition of
sharing power in Puntland, since the Speaker is from Mudug
Region, the President and the Vice President should come from
the Sool and Sanaag regions. Meanwhile, incumbent President
Mohamud "Adde" Muse Hersi no longer appears to be guaranteed
a victory. End summary.
--------------
One-Horse Race For Speaker,
New Power Distribution
--------------
2. (U) Puntland's Parliament, which was sworn in on January 1
(reftel),selected MP Abdirashid Muhammad Hersi as Speaker on
January 3. Hersi was the only candidate for the post, and
was elected unanimously. Salaad Hareed Ali and Hussein Haji
Yusuf were elected as First and Second Vice Speakers,
respectively. Hersi will guide Parliament through the
process of selecting a President, currently scheduled for
January 8.
3. (U) Hersi's election marks a departure from historical
norms in Puntland politics. Previously, the presidency was
held by someone from Puntland's predominantly Majertein clan
Mudug or Bari regions, the vice-presidency was held by
someone from Sool region (Dolbahante clan),and the Speaker's
position was held by someone from Sanag region (Warsengeli
clan). Local sources tell us that General Abdullahi Ilkajir,
who hails from Sanag region, urged MPs from Sanag not to run
for Speaker, in order to allow Ilkajir to remain in the
running for the presidency. Hersi's election as Speaker
should rule out any Mudug region natives becoming President
or Vice President.
--------------
Incumbent Not Assured Victory
--------------
4. (U) The current President of Puntland, Mohamud "Adde" Muse
Hersi reportedly has far less support from among the 66 new
MP's than he had from their predecessors, largely due to
Hersi's apparently mediocre performance over the past four
years. Puntlanders are reportedly disappointed with the fact
that, on Hersi's watch Puntland has become the base of a
burgeoning piracy industry, which has resulted in a negative
image of Puntland. In addition, Hersi's administration is
accused of corruption and incompetent economic policies, such
as the printing of counterfeit Somali shillings and the
resultant inflation. Also causing unhappiness is the
disputed Sool region's partial capture in skirmishes with
Somaliland and the October 29 terrorist attacks. Still,
observers believe that his financial resources mean that
Hersi cannot yet be written off.
RANNEBERGER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PROG PINR SOCI KDEM SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - PUNTLAND PARLIAMENT ELECTS NEW SPEAKER
REF: NAIROBI 7
1. (U) Summary: Puntland's newly-seated Parliament elected a
new Speaker on January 3. Member of Parliament Abdirashid
Muhammad Hersi, from Mudug Region, was the only candidate and
was elected unanimously. In accordance with the tradition of
sharing power in Puntland, since the Speaker is from Mudug
Region, the President and the Vice President should come from
the Sool and Sanaag regions. Meanwhile, incumbent President
Mohamud "Adde" Muse Hersi no longer appears to be guaranteed
a victory. End summary.
--------------
One-Horse Race For Speaker,
New Power Distribution
--------------
2. (U) Puntland's Parliament, which was sworn in on January 1
(reftel),selected MP Abdirashid Muhammad Hersi as Speaker on
January 3. Hersi was the only candidate for the post, and
was elected unanimously. Salaad Hareed Ali and Hussein Haji
Yusuf were elected as First and Second Vice Speakers,
respectively. Hersi will guide Parliament through the
process of selecting a President, currently scheduled for
January 8.
3. (U) Hersi's election marks a departure from historical
norms in Puntland politics. Previously, the presidency was
held by someone from Puntland's predominantly Majertein clan
Mudug or Bari regions, the vice-presidency was held by
someone from Sool region (Dolbahante clan),and the Speaker's
position was held by someone from Sanag region (Warsengeli
clan). Local sources tell us that General Abdullahi Ilkajir,
who hails from Sanag region, urged MPs from Sanag not to run
for Speaker, in order to allow Ilkajir to remain in the
running for the presidency. Hersi's election as Speaker
should rule out any Mudug region natives becoming President
or Vice President.
--------------
Incumbent Not Assured Victory
--------------
4. (U) The current President of Puntland, Mohamud "Adde" Muse
Hersi reportedly has far less support from among the 66 new
MP's than he had from their predecessors, largely due to
Hersi's apparently mediocre performance over the past four
years. Puntlanders are reportedly disappointed with the fact
that, on Hersi's watch Puntland has become the base of a
burgeoning piracy industry, which has resulted in a negative
image of Puntland. In addition, Hersi's administration is
accused of corruption and incompetent economic policies, such
as the printing of counterfeit Somali shillings and the
resultant inflation. Also causing unhappiness is the
disputed Sool region's partial capture in skirmishes with
Somaliland and the October 29 terrorist attacks. Still,
observers believe that his financial resources mean that
Hersi cannot yet be written off.
RANNEBERGER