A Rebuttal: Former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and the Constitutional Test of Statesmanship

What Sharmarke has actually said publicly (as of this week)


His recent public statements have been about de-escalation, not confrontation. He said he does not believe Puntland will declare itself independent, arguing that the current political tensions require dialogue and consensus  (Hiiraan Online) , and said Puntland’s grievances with the Federal Government of Somalia should be addressed through political engagement rather than confrontation  (Hiiraan Online) . Just yesterday, he warned against a possible armed conflict in Galkacyo, arguing that Puntland authorities should not use military force against other Puntland Security Forces without a clear legal reason  (Puntlandpost) , and urged Puntland authorities to exercise restraint, stressing that the situation required dialogue, de-escalation and a negotiated settlement rather than military action (RaxanReeb)

Worth noting: this was an opinion/commentary piece, and its claims about Sharmarke’s stance don’t fully align with his most recent public statements (which have emphasized dialogue and restraint).

Ali Mahdi Noor

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