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Somalia launches consultative forum on electoral process

Xinhua, September 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

Somalia has launched a national consultative forum on the electoral process for 2016 which will chart the way for the country's elections.

A joint statement issued at the end of a conference late Monday said the forum, which consists of representatives from the government, regional states, civil society and international partners, will convene its first meeting on Oct. 14 to work on an election formula followed by a series of regional public consultations .

Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, said the forum will be critically important to Somalia's peace building and state building efforts, and will lead to a political transition when the mandates of the Somali executive and legislature end next year.

"I salute the efforts of the federal government, federal parliament and the leaders of Puntland, Jubbaland, Galmudug and the South West Administration. Today they were united for peace,"Kay said in the statement on Monday evening.

The UN envoy underscored several key elements for the consultative process, noting it should be Somali-led, open and transparent and consistent with the Guiding Principles that were agreed to at the High-level Partnership Forum in July.

He stressed the importance of inclusiveness and representation in the next Parliament to be formed in 2016, noting that the Somali people want to see a parliament that reflects the diversity of Somalia. And Women, youths, and minorities should be properly represented to ensure a more united and more dynamic Somalia than ever before.

"A very ambitious timetable lies ahead. After today, a National Consultative Forum will convene on Oct. 14, followed by a series of regional public consultations. Views of Somalis from the diaspora will also be important," he said, adding that the United Nations will support the consultation process, together with the Federal Government and other partners.

Kay also condemned the Monday attack near the presidential palace.

"It is despicable that on International Peace Day and in the wake of such a major step towards building peace and stability in Somalia that terrorists exploded a bomb on a busy street in the center of Mogadishu, killing several people," Kay said.

"I condemn this barbaric act of terrorism and attempt to undermine the political progress, and offer my sincere condolences to all those affected,"he added. Enditem