QARDHO (Kaab TV) – A four-day consultative conference focused on reviewing Puntland’s democratization process concluded on Saturday in Qardho City.
The event was officially closed by the Speaker of the Puntland House of Representatives, Abdirizak Ahmed Said.
The conference brought together key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Interior, the Puntland Electoral Commission (PEC), the Puntland Development and Research Center (PDRC), the Puntland Non-State Actors (PUNSAA), and various political parties, to assess progress and challenges in the region’s democratic journey.
A strategic roadmap and recommendations were presented, setting a clear path toward the 2029 elections.
Minister of Interior Abdi Farah Said highlighted the importance of reflecting on the progress made over the past 25 years since Puntland’s founding, and incorporating lessons learned to strengthen the democratic process.
Key discussions centered on integrating reconciliation efforts into the democratization process to resolve electoral and clan-related conflicts. The role of the Puntland diaspora in supporting decentralization and governance was also emphasized.
In July, Puntland successfully conducted its first one-person, one-vote election across all 26 districts, a historic achievement that saw many youth elected to local councils.
However, challenges remain in ensuring the functionality and proper training of the newly elected councils.
Puntland has set an ambitious goal to hold parliamentary and presidential elections based on the one-person, one-vote system within five years, a process still hindered by instability in southern Somalia.