Garowe Online (Garowe)
24 November 2009
The government of Somalia's Puntland state has strongly rejected a recent statement issued from the office of US Congressman Donald M. Payne who is the Chairman of the House Sub-Committee on Africa and Global Health under the aegis of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Congressman Donald Payne issued a statement on November 21 in which he denounces what he calls "abusive and dictatorial behavior" by authorities in Puntland, saying that they are routinely arresting, harassing, torturing, and handing over men from the neighboring Ogaden region to Ethiopian security.
Puntland's Good Governance and State Minister Mohammed Farah Isse Gashan termed the statement as misrepresentation that has no bases whatsoever, adding that there was no misunderstanding in the recent meeting between Puntland and the US foreign affairs representatives, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya.
"The Meeting between Puntland President and Congressman Donald Payne which took place on mid November in Nairobi has ended without misunderstanding. It is unfortunate that the press statement released from the Congressman Donald Payne's office, which did not, had any official stamp, and was focused on threats and baseless accusations such as killings of prisoners and torture claims. We are saying that it is the work of people who are in Conflict of Interest to use office of the Congressman," said the statement from the good governance and state minister.
The Minister said Puntland government is not a dictatorial regime as claimed by the statement from the congressman, adding that its leaders were democratically elected by the people and the state is now moving to next level whereby political parties which will allow opportunities for everyone to compete for the welfare of the state, will be formed.
Congressman Payne was the main facilitate of President Farole's recent visit to US, which allowed the international community to directly cooperate with Puntland.
On the other hand, Minister Gashan said the government of Puntland does not need the help of anybody to protect its borders, interest, politics and people, adding that the rule of law will apply to all of its citizens and foreigners.
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