New Puntland president sworn in

The president and vice-president of the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, northeastern Somalia, were sworn in on Wednesday, a local journalist told IRIN. President Jama Ali Jama and Vice-President Ahmad Mahmud Gunle were sworn in for a three-year term of office, Farah Yusuf Nur, a reporter for Midnimo radio, said. The swearing-in followed the election of the two that morning by the Puntland general congress in Garowe, the regional capital. "They took their oath of office in front of those who elected them," said Farah. Acting President Yusuf Haji Nur then handed over the reins of power to Jama, wishing him success. Farah said the people of Garowe were in a festive mood on Thursday. "We are all breathing easier now that this has come to an end," he said. The process of electing a new Puntland leader has dragged on for weeks. Many delegates, some of whom had been in Garowe for months, were already leaving for their homes in other parts of Puntland, said Farah. The general congress of the constituent regions of Puntland to elect a new administration had been in session since 26 August, when it was first convened by traditional leaders of the region. Puntland, which declared itself autonomous in 1998, following a conference of local elders, was thrown into confusion at the end of June, when Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmad and the former chief justice, Yusuf Haji Nur, both claimed to be president. The controversy started after Abdullahi Yusuf, whose three-year term as president was to have ended on 30 June, claimed that his mandate had been extended by parliament for another three years. Puntland's traditional elders meeting in Garowe in July rejected Abdullahi Yusuf's extension, and named Yusuf Haji Nur as "acting president" until the election of a new administration was held.