The troubled Horn of Africa nation, Somalia, begins its journey towards a new era with the convening of the National Constitution Assembly the body mandated to adopt the new draft constitution. It paves the way towards the end of a transition period surrounded by controversies.
After getting postponed twice in July alone, the Somali National Constituent Assembly mandated to ratify the draft constitution finally convenes. In an auspicious function attended by the Transition’s top leadership, the Somali government officials expressed optimism that the road towards a new constitution after 7 years was finally in sight.
Abdirahman Hosh Jibril, Constitutional Affairs Minister, said, “The Constituent assembly has ample time, and where they find contentious they are expected to write and submit a report to the next parliament which will debate on it”
Mohamud Ahmed Noor, mayor of Mogadishu, said, “I expect great success and it is a success for Somalia, it is a success for Banadir region, it is a success for the committee that has been working on this constitution. We are witnessing history and I think the second republic of Somalia will be born here.”
The NCA members were selected by 135 Traditional Elders from various Somali clans. The elders are also expected to select the country’s members of parliament who will in turn vote for its speaker, deputy speaker as well as the president.
The convention of the National constituent assembly has been a long time coming, the NCA is the body mandated to ratify the draft constitution for Somalia. the events starting today are expected to shape the destiny of this nation.
The United Nations political office for Somalia has been facilitating Somalia’s peace process and the process of drafting a constitution for the hitherto unstable horn of Africa State.
Augustine Mahiga, UN representative to Somalia, said, “What is important is that, Somalia after 9 years in transition and 21 years of chaos, you are going to have a new opportunity to choose your new leaders.”
In about 10 days, the traditional elders project to have submit the names of the new parliamentarians.
