Somalia pushes for completion of constitutional reforms

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The federal government of Somalia has started pushing for credible constitutional reforms, with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud taking charge by tasking Monitoring Committee for the Review and Implementation Committee to complete work soonest.

Also tasked to expedite the work is the Independent Committee for the Review and Implementation of the Constitution, with the ultimate goal being completing the federal constitution which has dragged on for many years. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had pledged to expedite the process when he assumed power.

During Saturday's meetings, stakeholders noted the involvement of legal experts and Somali community groups. They also assured that they would finalize the process as quickly as possible to submit it for approval to the two Houses of the Federal Parliament of Somalia.

Hassan Sheikh emphasized the recent deliberations of the National Consultative Council [NCC] which highlighted the need for an overhaul of the current parliamentary system, which would be replaced with a presidential system should the proposals see the light in parliament.

The new model would have an imperial president with a running mate who would replace the premier, who is the head of government at the moment. However, the proposals have met resistance from a section of stakeholders including those from Puntland, who accused Mogadishu of failing to engage all parties.

Parliament is set to vote for the proposals in the coming days which if enacted, would pave the way for direct elections in the country. For a long time, Somalia has practiced indirect elections where elders play a key role in determining the winners of polls.

It is anticipated that all states will start holding elections at a synchronized period with smooth coordination from Mogadishu in case the changes see the light. International partners have for a long time pushed for direct elections in the country, noting that the electoral process should be refined in the country.

GAROWE ONLINE