Puntland receives and launches Somalia's draft constitution
27 Aug 27, 2010 - 1:41:23 PM
Officials of Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland led by President Abdirahman Mohammed Farole got opportunity to receive and officially launched a draft constitution presented to them by members of the Independent Federal Constitution Commission [IFCC] and UNDP.
The launching ceremony of the draft constitution was held at Garowe Presidential Palace.
Hawa Ali Jama, a member of IFCC was hopeful that the adoption of the new draft constitution will be realized soon.
Puntland parliament speaker Abdirashid Mohammud Hirsi said the new draft is critical for the guide to the end of transitional governments in Somalia and ushering in a new era of peace.
On his part, President Farole welcomed the consultative meeting, adding that new draft is official launches in Garowe, the administrative capital.
He sent his government condolence to recent attacks on parliamentarians in Mogadishu, which killed six lawmakers. Al-Shabaab, a hardline insurgent group fighting the UN-backed Somali TFG and African Union troops was responsible for the attacks.
The Independent Federal Constitution Commission [IFCC], comprising of 29 members, was mandated by the Transitional Federal Charter for Somalia to prepare the draft constitution for public consultation across the horn of African nation and Diaspora.
The team embarked on consultation drive that will saw them visit many parts of the war-torn country.
“The aim of the two-month public consultation period is therefore to draft a final constitution that is supported, reflects and represents Somali people's views of governance systems, right and duties in their nation,” said the commission in a statement.
The Commission aim to present a final draft constitution this December.
On August 14, the document was circulated to the cabinet and the members of the Somalia’s Transitional Federal Parliament for review and consultation.
Somali Parliament is expected to vote for the constitution soon.
GAROWE ONLINE