NEWS BRIEF

Puntland House of Representatives has been in session for several months lately, longer than anytime in the past. The sticking issue, among others, was the establishment of the High Court. Earlier, the House rejected Puntland President’s proposal of a list of names that would constitute members of the Court. House members insisted on keeping the House in-session until the issue is resolved. It seems that the President and House Speaker struck a deal late last night to end the session, pending October session to reconsider the composition of the High Court.

Puntland House of Representatives has not been vocal or expressed support to the President’s plan of holding District Council elections. Some members even cast doubt on the timing of these elections. This is a House whose members were selected through the old system of constituency selection, and therefore, they were not expected to whole-heartedly endorse the principles of One Person One Vote. However, the legislations for these Council elections are already in place to proceed.

There are other issues as well between the Executive and Legislative Branches of which the general public knows very little about. There is lack of information sharing with or dissemination of legislative accomplishments or public issues under discussion to the residents of the State. The public is widely uninformed.