Garowe (SD) – Puntland’s Council of Ministers weekly meeting passed a number of laws, including the much debated and controversial Female Genital Mutilation Act.

The President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, chaired the meeting, and after a lengthy debate and discussions, the Cabinet approved the FGM Act by a majority vote.

The Cabinet members have discussed the Covid-19 and the impact of Locust in the region, the Construction of the Galkayo Bank at the Weekly meeting.

The Cabinet Ministers also approved the drug policy submitted to the Council by the Department of Justice.

Puntland’s Minister of Justice Awil Sheikh Hamud, told reporters after the meeting that anyone caught performing female genital mutilation will be punished, as it violates a law passed by the council.

The Female Genital Mutilation Law is being debated among the public, though the council voted unanimously to approve the law, it is unclear how it will be implemented in Puntland.