Federal, member state leaders’ issue joint communique 

The three-day National Consultative Council (NCC) came into a conclusion on Wednesday with federal and member state leaders agreeing on a five-point joint communique. 

The points were signed by all parties except Puntland which refrained from signing two of the points; one on the delineation of powers at the federal and regional levels, and another on the federalization of the country’s judicial system.

The remaining three points were on security and war on terrorism, democratization and elections, and the recent incidents in Baidoa. 

The communique hailed the successful offensives against Al-Shabaab terrorists in Hirshabelle and Galmudug states and welcomed plans to widen the offensive into Southwest and Jubbaland states. 

The leaders also agreed on the formation of a committee by January 10, 2023, that will present recommendations on fair elections across the country. 

On the recent incidents in Baidoa, the leaders stressed the importance of adhering to the rule of law and urged all sides in Southwest to take part in the reconciliation conference scheduled for January 5, 2023.