Somali government plans to end the transition period

Hiiraan Online
Ahmed Abdisamad
Wednesday, April 18, 2012

International Development Law Organization (IDLO) facilitated a Town hall Meeting on ending the transition.

The day long debate about the way forward for Somalia was led by the Minister of Constitutional
Affairs Abdirahman Hosh Jibril and the Minister of Planning and International relations Abdullahi Godah Barre on the transition.

This consultation meeting was unique as it brought together leading Somali personalities from politics, academia, and civil society.

Some of the notable participants were Somalia ambassador to Kenya , Mohamed Ali Nur, Dr. Ali Khalif Galayr former Prime Minister of Somalia, Dr Ismail Buba former Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign affairs, Prof Gandhi the former Minister of Defense and the current President of Azania, regional administration in the Jubba regions. Interestingly, current political figures like the leader of Daljir forum, Dahir Ghele, the former Minister of Information Abdikarim Jama also actively participated the meeting.

The meeting was opened by Shirwa Jama, IDLO Somalia’s Country Representative who highlighted the importance of this consultation expressing his gratitude to the participants.

Co- Chaired by Minister Hosh and Minister Godah, the participants listened to presentations by the two ministers and then the Questions and Answers turned into a frank and highly informative dialogue covering all the issues pertaining to the transition, particularly issues relating to the selection of the Elders, selections of the parliamentarians and the selection and the mandate of the Constituent Assembly that will consider the draft and undertake the provisional adoption of the draft.

The Minister of the Constitutional Affairs explicated some of the issues that were raised in the course of the discussions, in particular the issue of how to select the traditional elders emphasizing that his government will not intervene with the process and that all the Somali clans know who their traditional elders were.

SHIR NAIROBI6.jpg

The Technical Selection Committee was also an thorny issue that many of the participants felt was shrouded with secrecy and it was suggested the Terms of Reference to be published publicly. The Minister of Constitutional Affairs explained that despite what the name connotes, the Committee’s role will be merely Quality Control and that the mandate of the selection squarely rests with the Traditional Elders who command the moral authority of the Somali people.

The Minister of Planning who outlined the achievement of Dr Abdiweli’s government since the adoption of the Roadmap. In particular spoke about securing and stabilizing the newly liberated areas from Alshabab and taking the process to these areas so that constitution and the ending of the transition is inclusive. The minister added that this was a timely consultation and that he had never seen such a gathering that brought together illustrious Somalis from all walks of life. He praised the IDLO team for facilitating this momentous event.

The participants agreed that discussion and agreement among the Somali people will only bring peace to Somalia and that every Somali should feel that he is party to the process.

IDLO is an Intergovernmental Organization that is based in Rome. Twenty Seven countries are member states and works closely with the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and Reconciliation of Somalia.

SHIR NAIROBI10.jpg

Home
Email