On Friday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud wrapped up the National Consultative Conference in Baidoa. The conference was attended by Southwest President Abdiaziz Laftagareen, Hirshabelle President Ali Gudlawe, Galmudug President Ahmed QoorQoor, Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe, Prime Minister Hamza Barre, and Mogadishu Mayor Yusuf Jima’ale.
Many agreements were established during the summit between regional and federal officials, including the completion of the national security architecture and the adoption of fiscal federalism principles. This involves the establishment of critical entities such as the National Revenue Authority and the Appropriation and Revenue Mobilization Commission. The leaders also discussed one-person, one-vote elections and agreed to continue discussions at the next NCC conference in May 2023.
FGS and FMS also approved a schedule that defines the Federal Government’s and regional states’ roles in tax policymaking. Unfortunately, they did not disclose any other information in their communiqué.
The Council advised regional states to finish establishing administrations for liberated and soon-to-be liberated territories. This is consistent with the program’s objective of decentralizing government functions.
The National Consultative Council lauded the military forces’ and Somali people’s continuous successes in defeating al Shabab. The Council also agreed to step up efforts to combat drug gangs and to coordinate activities across the country.
Furthermore, the leaders agreed to send a delegation of FMS leaders, including Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, Ahmed Abdi Kariye Qoorqoor, and Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlawe, to the Puntland Government to participate in discussions aimed at completing the country’s government restoration.
Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, for example, did not attend the summit. Puntland claimed on January 9 that it is “now operating as an independent government,” accusing the federal government of attempting to reinstate centralized management.
Finally, the Council called for an end to the violence in Las Anod between Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo. The Council condemned everyone involved in the initiation of the war or its continuation. The Council advised that the only way to fix the current crisis is through communication.