PRESSRELEASE: National Constituent Assembly reaches Day 6

PRESSRELEASE:

National Constituent Assembly reaches Day 6

Mogadishu, July 30, 2012. The National Constituent Assembly continues tounfold smoothly as 825 Somali citizens from all walks of life discuss anddebate the draft Somali Constitution.

The formal opening of the National ConstituentAssembly took place on Wednesday, July 25, representing a significant milestonein the path towards a new constitution for the Somali people. On Day 1, thedelegates were addressed by the President, the Speaker and the Prime Ministerof the Transitional Federal Government, amongst other notable personalities andspeakers. Somali musicians and actors were able to contribute their artistictalents as well. The opening ceremony was attended by diplomats includingUnited Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General, Dr. AugustineMahiga and ambassadors from Djibouti, League of Arab States, Turkey, Ethiopia,IGAD, and the African Union, amongst others.

On the second and third days, the delegatesreviewed the rules of procedure, the entire constitutional process and the tasklying ahead of them. Also, the constitution was read by eminent Somalipersonalities.

On Days 4, 5 and 6 of the National ConstituentAssembly, the delegates were separated into 10 thematic breakout groups, madeup of approximately 80 delegates each, to facilitate debate and discussion. Thedelegates have been vigorously debating the provisions of the draftconstitution, in some cases making recommendations of changes to be deliveredto the new parliament.

The National Constituent Assembly willcontinue for another three days – on Day 8, the delegates will vote onadoption. A positive vote from the National Constituent Assembly will turn thedraft into the Provisional Constitution of Somalia. It will remain provisionaluntil the government can organize a national referendum to give each Somali manand woman the opportunity to vote on the Somali constitution.

The National Constituent Assembly has beenvisited on Sunday July 29 by Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, as well asnumerous ministers, who have commended the delegates and all the teams fortheir hard work and dedication and for their contribution to the Somali future.Today, the Norwegian representative to Somalia Jann-Peter Holtedahl addressedthe plenary session, extending his country’s good wishes and highlighting thehistoric nature of this assembly.

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Diraac Salaad Fagaase

Communication Director, office of the PM

Mobile: +252-616084650

             +252-699270033

Mogadishu, Somalia