By Online Team

30^th July 2012:

A nine-day meeting kicked off in the Somali capital Mogadishu last week where an 825-member assembly is set to ratify a new constitution.  Somalia’s National Constituent Assembly (NCA), selected by traditional elders, began talks on a draft constitution on Wednesday 25 after 21 years of political and civil strife. Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed called the meeting “a historic moment” for the war-torn country.

“…I would like to congratulate all Somalis on this success at this crucial time. We are here today to approve the constitution, which means the foundation of our country’s governance is being laid down,” he said.

Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohammad Ali said the new constitution is the future of Somali community, urging the Somalis to support the draft.

“…This constitution is translating the future of Somali community, it is the most important tip of the road map and how to end the interim government,” he said.

Al- Shabab, the fundamentalist Islamic militants fighting the transitional government in Somalia however warned against adopting the draft constitution, saying it will target the assembly.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991 when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.  The weak Western-backed transitional government in Mogadishu has been battling al-Shabab for the past five years and is propped up by a strong AU force from Uganda, Burundi, and Djibouti.

Because of its long conflict, Somalia is one of the countries that are generating the highest number of refugees and internally-displaced people in the world.  END.  Login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories mid-week for our updates

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