Regional pres reduces term

2004-07-01 12:43

Nairobi - The president of Somalia's northeastern state of Puntland Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed on Thursday reduced his government's term in office from two years to six months, his office announced in a statement.

"The existing government and parliament should remain in power only for six months. Parliament's decision (on February 17, 2004) to extend this government's term by two years was unconstitutional," Abdullahi Yusuf said in the statement.

"The move will pave the way for the formation of a new government in the very foreseeable future and clear any constitutional crisis," Yusuf Mohamed Ismail, a presidential advisor, said from Garowe, the state's capital.

Puntland elders have endorsed Abdullahi Yusuf's decision.

Somalia has been plagued 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.

Puntland declared itself autonomous in 1998 and has remained peaceful since then.

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

- AFP