New Puntland leader appoints some ministers

The recently-elected president of the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland in northeastern Somalia, Jama Ali Jama, has named some members of his new cabinet, a legal expert in Bosaso, the regional commercial capital, told IRIN on Tuesday. Jama on Sunday named five of the possible nine ministers provided for under the region's charter, the legal expert said. Jama had 45 days, from the day of his election, to name the full cabinet, he explained. "Because of the current problems in Puntland, he seems to be taking his time to name his entire cabinet," he added. Jama was elected on 14 November by a general congress of representatives of the constituent regions of Puntland to form the region's second government and put an end to existing leadership wrangles. Jama made his announcement in Bosaso, because the regional capital, Garowe, is under the control of the former president, Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf. On 21 November, forces loyal to Abdullahi Yusuf attacked and captured the town from Jama's troops. At least 12 people were killed in the fighting, with many more wounded, sources told IRIN at the time. The fighting also displaced many people, who fled the town in fear of renewed violence. Most of the displaced people have since returned in response to appeals by elders. Puntland declared itself autonomous in 1998 following a conference of local elders who elected Abdullahi Yusuf as the region's first president for a three-year term. Controversy broke out after Abdullahi Yusuf, whose term was to have ended on 30 June, claimed that his mandate had been extended by parliament. Puntland's traditional elders, meeting in Garowe in July, rejected Abdullahi Yusuf's extension, and named the former chief justice Yusuf Haji Nur as "acting president" until a new administration was elected. The elders subsequently convened a general congress for this purpose and elected Jama Ali.