2016: Agreement Between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Government of Puntland State of Somalia

From 26 March to April 3, 2016 a delegation from the Federal Government of Somalia led by His Excellency Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, the Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, paid a working visit to Garowe to discuss the 2016 electoral process. The Foreign Minister of Ethiopia and the Chairman of the IGAD Council of Ministers H.E. Tedros Adhanom, SRSG Michael Keating of the United Nations, African Union SRCC Francisco Madeira, EU Special Envoy Michele Cervone, Executive Secretary of IGAD, Ambassador Mahboub Moallim, IGAD Special Envoy Ambassador Mohamed Affey, with Ambassadors from Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Sweden, Italy, and Djibouti also attended.

The international community congratulates the people and Government of Puntland and lauds the recent victories of the Puntland security forces against Al-Shabab militants. The international community also calls upon all possible support for Puntland security forces in their fight against terrorism. The International Community recognizes the central role of the National Leadership Forum in ensuring that the national interest is protected and promoted, and the role of parliament in underpinning the rule of law and protecting the Constitution.

Subsequent to detailed talks and negotiations the two parties agreed on the following:

1. 2016 Electoral Process
   1. The two parties agreed that the 4.5 clan model shall not be used as a criteria to select any member of the Federal Parliament and that its use shall cease with the elections of 2016.
   2. The Federal Government of Somalia and the Government of Puntland agreed upon the formation of inclusive 2016 Electoral Committees consisting of the Federal Government of Somalia and federal member states.
   3. The two parties agreed that the international community shall closely monitor the implementation of the 2016 electoral model and process to ensure fairness and transparency.
   4. The two parties agreed the selection process for members of the Federal Parliament shall take place at regional capitals of Federal Member States.
   5. The electoral college shall be selected by the traditional elders, who will then forward electoral college member’s names to the Electoral Committees. The electoral college shall reflect members of the community including women.
   6. Each seat for the lower house shall be contested by a number of candidates, as shall be agreed by the National Leadership Forum and shall include female candidates from the specific clan grouping. Further each candidate’s filing shall comply with requirements and vetting process of the Electoral Committees at the National and State levels.
   7. Each candidate for the lower house of the Federal Parliament shall meet constitutionally required criteria.
   8. The two parties agreed that the election shall take place in Garowe for the members of the federal parliament of the clans party to the formation of Puntland in 1998.
   9. Puntland is open to host elections in Garowe for any other constituencies unable to conduct elections due to existing circumstances within their jurisdiction.
   10. The president of Puntland shall duly sign the list of official members elected in Puntland at the lower house of the Federal Parliament after the Electoral Committees forward the certified final result.
2. Upper House
   1. The formation of the Upper House of the Federal Parliament shall precede the formation of the Lower House of the Federal Parliament as already set out in the model proposed by the federal government.
   2. The two parties agreed that Puntland candidates for the Upper House of the National Federal Parliament representing Puntland will be proposed by the Executive branch of Puntland, using agreed criteria and appointed by the Puntland House of Representatives.
   3. Each seat in the Upper House of the Federal Parliament shall be contested by an agreed number of candidates including females.
   4. Each candidate for the Upper House of the Federal Parliament shall meet constitutionally required criteria.
   5. The Federal Government of Somalia and the Government of Puntland agreed that the election of the members of the Upper House of the Federal Parliament shall take place in the capitals of Federal Member States.
   6. The two parties agreed that the elections for the Upper House seats representing Puntland for the Federal Parliament shall take place in Garowe. The candidates will be drawn from clans party to the formation of Puntland in 1998.
   7. The president of Puntland shall duly sign the list of official members representing Puntland at the Upper House of the Federal Parliament after the Electoral Committee forwards the certified final result.
   8. The Federal Government of Somalia and the Government of Puntland recommend that the National Leadership Forum decide the location of the elections of the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Leadership of the Upper House and Lower House of the Parliament by choosing a safe and conducive location.
3. 2020 RΟΑDΜΑΡ:
   1. The two parties agreed that the 2020 federal elections shall be held according to one-person, one-vote principle. Under no circumstances shall the 4.5 clan based power sharing arrangement be used beyond the 2016 elections.
   2. The International community shall undertake and guarantee that 4.5 model shall not be used beyond 2016.
4. Implementation of the Agreement:
   1. The international community takes note of the bi-lateral talks between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Government of Puntland in the areas such as the Constitutional Review process, Federation process, Development Aid, Security, etc. and encourages and supports the implementation of agreements in these areas, taking into account the national interest.
      The implementation of this agreement between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Government of Puntland is guaranteed by
   2. Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and witnessed by the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and European Union (EU).