VISION 2016: PRINCIPLES AND RECOMMENDATIONS.( By Somali government Conference)

VISION 2016: PRINCIPLES AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

                  Sept.2-6-2013-Mogadishu Somalia.

Preamble:

The Vision 2016 Conference (hereinafter referred to as "the Conference") was convened by the

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, His Excellency, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in

Mogadishu from 2-6 September 2013 in which His Excellency called for the first of many national dialogues on the transition towards democratic legitimacy.

The conference delegates deliberated the following thematic issues

·   Constitutional Development: Review, oversight, and implementation ·   Options on Models of Federalism

·   Reform and Good Governance

·   The Electoral Process and Party Politics

·   Political Outreach, Public Engagement, Reconciliation, and Transitional Justice

The objective of the Conference was to advance the political process and to solicit the opinions of
the Somali people including members of parliament, regional authorities, civil society groups and
experts, as well as members of the diaspora to ensure the constitutional review and implementation
process, together with the process of transitioning to democratic legitimacy, is Somali-owned.

The Conference was officially opened by the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, His
Excellency, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who welcomed the conference delegates, thanked them for
responding to his Excellency's call for national dialogue on political processes and requested them
to offer concrete proposals and recommendations that can be translated into policies that will
contribute towards the review and implementation of the Provisional Constitution, the transition to
democratic legitimacy, and the finalization of the Constitution by way of referendum.

The Conference recognized that the road map laid out in the Provisional Constitution provides concrete steps towards these objectives.

The Conference recalls the priorities outlined in the New Deal Compact for Somalia, which include advancing inclusive political dialogue, finalizing and adopting the Federal Constitution by
December 2015, and preparing for and holding credible elections by 2016.

The Conference expressed concern that the government is behind on important political milestones. The Conference acknowledges that there are some areas of textual ambiguity in the Provisional Constitution that need to reviewed and revised.

The Conference, therefore, adopts the following core principles:

·   A Somali-owned, inclusive, and transparent political process, led by the Somali Federal
      Government and consistent with the Provisional Constitution.

·   A rigorous, spirited review process of the Provisional Constitution gaining public legitimacy
      through a referendum.

·   A federal political system that brings government closer to the people, and safeguards unity
      and stability.

·   Free and fair electoral processes based on one person, one vote.

·   A commitment to, and the promotion of, integrity and good governance.

·   A comprehensive reconciliation process that brings about national cohesion and integration.

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Recommendations

1. Priorities for review and Implementation of the Constitution

The Conference agrees:

·   There is a sense of urgency in the review and implementation of the Provisional Constitution.
      

The Conference therefore recommends:

·The establishment of the constitutionally mandated Constitution Review and
      Implementation Commission within 60 days.

·   The establishment of the constitutionally mandated Constitutional Court within 90 days. ·   The establishment of all other institutions necessary to review and implement the
      Constitution within 90 days.

·   That the government ensures the independence, integrity, and credibility of the
      constitutionally mandated commissions.

·   That the government, in establishing these commissions, shall appoint commissioners with
      competence, integrity, and diversity.

·   That the government develop a communication strategy on the constitutional process and
      launches a comprehensive civic education campaign.

·   That the government ensures the process to be participatory, involving civil society, and
      owned by the Somali people.

2. Models of Federalism and Resource Sharing

The Conference agrees:

·   That a federal system shall bring government closer to the people. The Conference therefore recommends:

·   That the government shall establish the Boundaries and Federations Commission as directed
      by the Provisional Constitution within 60 days.

·   That Federal units shall be based on economic viability, demographic diversity, and

geographic integrity in line with the framework of the Provisional Constitution.

·   That the Somali Federal Government should take leadership of the process and launch a
      civic education campaign.

3. The Electoral Process and Party Politics

The Conference agrees:

·   That the government shall create an enabling environment for multi-party politics. The Conference therefore recommends:

·   That the government should establish the Independent Electoral Commission within 6
      months.

·   That the Political Party Law shall be passed within one year.

·   That the government shall launch civic education on the electoral process.

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·   That political parties shall have a national character, and shall not be based on clan, hate
      and/or violent extremism.

·   That the House of the People shall pass laws regulating campaign financing based on
      accountability and transparency.

·   That  the international community shall provide technical, political and financial support to
      the proposed electoral processes.

·   That contingency plans shall be agreed upon if one person one vote elections are not
      possible in 2016.

4. Reform and Good Governance

The Conference agrees:

·   That the government shall promote a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability. The Conference therefore recommends:

·   The establishment of an Anti-Corruption Commission as directed by the Provisional
      Constitution within 90 days.

·   The establishment of a National Office of Ombudsman as directed by the Provisional
      Constitution within 90 days.

·   The establishment of a National Human Rights Commission within 90 days.

·   The establishment of a National Civil Service Commission within six months.

·   The establishment of a National Archive to serve as a repository of information for
      government documentation within one year.

5. Political Outreach, Public Engagement, Reconciliation and Transitional Justice

The Conference agrees:

·   That the government shall initiate a comprehensive reconciliation process that brings about
      national cohesion and integration.

The Conference therefore recommends:

·   That the government shall engage in a dialogue with opposition groups.

·   That the government shall reach out to, and open a constructive dialogue with regional
      administrations.

·   That the government shall continue talks with Somaliland.

·   That the government shall work towards empowering traditional elders in their role as
      peacemakers.

·   That the government shall institutionalize gender equality and the representation of
      minorities in all government institutions.

·   That the government shall establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as stipulated in
      the Provisional Constitution, within six months.

·   That the government shall establish a Land and Property Commission within six months.

Finally the conference agrees:

·   That the government shall produce a comprehensive and realistic work plan for the
      implementation of the above recommendations within 30 days.

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·   That the House of the People shall hold the government accountable to the implementation
      of the work plan.

Adopted in Mogadishu on Friday - (06/09/2013)