Regional pres forms new govt

2004-07-15 12:54

Nairobi - The president of Somalia's northeastern state of Puntland Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed on Thursday formed a new government comprising of 15 ministers, an official statement said.

Last week, Puntland's parliament approved a presidential decree that reduced the government's term in office there from two years to six months, starting July 1, thereby giving Abdullahi Yusuf powers to form a new government.

Puntland declared itself an autonomous part of the strife-ridden Horn of Africa nation in 1998 and has remained peaceful since then.

The new appointments included new paramilitary and administration police commanders, said the statement from the presidency.

Somalia has been riven by anarchy and clan warfare, and without a central government since dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled in 1991. Peace talks are currently under way in Kenya to try to restore law and order and set up a central government recognised by all of Somalia's clans and factions.

Despite developing tools of statehood including a constitution, government and law enforcement institutions, Puntland has not yet seceded from Somalia.

- AFP