The review of Somalia’s constitution has been ongoing for more than 11
years. Since 2012 The crucial tasks facing the Somali Government was to
ensure nation’s stability and the completion of the Constitution which
is the second most important factor in Somalia.
The successive administrations have been emphasizing on the speedy
implementation to amend the Constitution’s pending provisions. Somalia’s
constitution, which has been stuck due to technical and political issues,
has mostly succeeded in completing the technical issues more rapidly,
while still in the process of finalizing the provisions that require
political consensus regards to national interests.
The current government, headed by HE. Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is ahead
of the implementation of the promise of completing the Constitution,
particularly the provisions of the Constitution that are stuck upon a
political consensus to be implemented.
After 20 months, the two houses of the Somali Parliament voted for the
process of approving the amendment of the transitional constitution. It
has created optimism and hope for the completion of the Somali’s
Constitution at this specific period. On the other hand, the debate was
raised by the opposition who believe that it is not the right time to
rush by taking this action. There were always arguments and disagreements
during the period of transitional Constitution.
In any case, it is imperative that this step be implemented by the
current administrative or otherwise it will result in a delay of at least
Five years.
WHAT KIND OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDING DOES SOMALIS ARE WILLING?
The Somali people are highly willing to get rid of the constitutional
interim the way they had left the transitional government before 11
years.
The type of constitution that the Somali people require to get is a
complete final constitution and get rid of the constitutional interim
that has been in place for 11 years. For no more excuse this dream can
be achieved in two years, whatever it takes, People need a constitution
that guarantees the following provisions:
An independent and inclusive constitution in which the political
stakeholders and the leadership of the country are all involved in
its adoption and implementation.
- An independent constitution that includes the basic provisions of
the citizen’s rights (the right for the Somali citizen to elect
his/her leaders, the right that the citizen can present him/herself
for any government position that can be elected, the right to be
part of the country’s political leadership) - An independent constitution free from the interests of individuals
and groups - An independent, equal constitution that ensures to adopt equal
rights for the people - An independent constitution free from foreign interference that
affects the interests and future of the Somali nation - An independent constitution whose subsequent revision will not take
more than 10 years
Amending the Constitution based on the above-mentioned provisions is the
basis for meeting the needs of the Somali people, and that responsibility
rests upon the current leadership of the nation and the appointed
committees in charge of re-writing, amending, and reviewing the Somali
constitution.
It will be a great success if the current administrative starts revising
the Nation’s constitution and completes it within two years, Finally the
most critical question lying on our shoulder is will the amending
Constitution be implemented before the country’s upcoming elections in
2026 or not?
This Article is originally published to Somali Magazine for more articles visit this site www.somalimagazine.com
