Puntland regional authority on Thursday issued a press release in which they strongly rejected against Somali Federal Gov’ plans regarding the humanitarian aid.
Puntland Ministry of humanitarian affairs and disaster management has expressed great worry that the services-the central gov’t provides pertaining to humanitarian aid will be provided to those who have the national identity cards issued by NIRA.
Puntland said that they are aware of a meeting between National Identity and Registration Authority (NIRA) and Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), in which they put forward a suggestion to unify the registration of Internally Displaced Person’s (IDP’s).
Puntland further stated that they agreed that the provision of humanitarian aid will be given to those that have the national identity card issued by NIRA.
The statement from Puntland revealed that the suggestion of the Federal Gov’t is strongly against the constitutional powers of the Federal Member States.
Puntland argues that it reserves the right to register and manage the IDP’s living in Puntland regions.
The statement went on to say that it is not only a suggestion but it is also against the constitutional powers of the Federal Member States that are responsible for the registration and management of people living in their regions.
Puntland humanitarian affairs ministry has accused the Central Gov’t of politicizing the humanitarian aid and is very disappointed with it.
The statement disclosed by saying that the government of Puntland clearly rejects all attempts to politicize the humanitarian affairs and the coordination of the aid.
The statement from Puntland comes at a time when the Somali Prime Minister has informed the gov’t institutions not to provide services to anyone who does not have the national identity card issued by NIRA, which Puntland authority strongly repudiated.
Puntland Gov’t and the Somali Federal Gov’t locked horns in political matters and are now in disagreement over humanitarian aid which will worsen the strained relations between Mogadishu and Garowe.
The Somali Federal Gov’t recently accused Puntland President Saed Deni of clearly violating the laws of the Somali gov’t after he announced the formation of Puntland Identification Authority (PID).
