Tuesday November 11, 2014
The Somali government on Monday (November 10th) temporarily suspended the federal state formation conference for the South-western State in Baidoa.The conference will be suspended for two weeks starting Monday, according to a joint statement issued by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed and Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari.
The leaders said they reached the decision after complaints from elders, politicians, civil society and delegates who are not participating the state formation conference.
The leaders ordered all the federal government officials and lawmakers in Baidoa to return to Mogadishu for consultation.
The decision comes after delegates attending the federal state formation conference in Baidoa voted overwhelmingly to ratify the draft constitution Saturday (November 8th), Somalia's RBC Radio reported.
Just 14 delegates voted against the constitution, with around 384 voting in favour, according to Somalia's Garowe Online.
"South-west State administration has been given birth to today," said delegate Mohamed Nur.
The technical committee charged with drafting the constitution began its work in July and announced it had completed the draft constitution on October 21st.
The Baidoa conference opened amid protests last month.