1.                 I  send a message of congratulation to the people of the State and Government of Puntland, wishing them a happy Eid Al-fitri, having successfully and peacefully completed one of the pillars of Islam, the fasting in the month Ramadan.  On this occasion, I wish the people of Somalia in general and of the Puntland State of Somalia in particular, peace and prosperity for years to come.

2.                  We urge the people of Puntland  State to maintain their unity, sense of purpose and to safeguard their political and economic achievement. Peace and stability are the corner stones of human progress and civility. We should maintain this at any cost. We have already achieved a lot in the State through democratic transformation of our public institutions. It is important to remind the people of Puntland State that they are in an envious position as they are better off than many residents in the rest of Somalia. My Government is committed to further consolidate and develop this multi-faceted progress of the Puntland communities. Above all, we are planning and building a decent future for our children and next generations. 

3.                 Taking advantage of this noble occasion, my Government is here to announce to the people of Somalia, its leaders and the international community at large the following guiding principles of Puntland State towards resolving the Somali crisis:

 

•          Puntland State was not a party to the Arta Conference and therefore it does not recognize  the Arta outcome as a National Government.

•          Puntland State, however, is committed to any future all-inclusive talks on the National Reconciliation Process to reconstruct a Somali Central Federal State.

•           Puntland State of Somalia is convinced and strongly believes that any future Somali National Reconciliation and Peace Process must be based on the principles of ‘Bottom-Up Approach’ (Building-Blocks).

•          Puntland State rejects any military solution in resolving the Somali national crisis.

•           Puntland State is committed to fight for and preserve the territorial integrity of Somalia.

•           Non-native militia that occupy other clans’ land and territories should withdraw to respective native regions as a condition to hold an all-inclusive national conference. Modalities to implement such a formula are to be worked out in a joint effort by both Somalis and the members of the International community.

•               Finally, Puntland State resists and rejects outright any foreign meddling in the internal affairs of Somalia and rules out any influence or decision imposed by any foreign power(s) (e.g. Djibouti) on the National Reconciliation Process.  

 

 

Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed

State President of Puntland.

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