Intergovernmental Relations / Matters (A blog on Somali federalism)

Governance is the way rules, norms and actions are structured, sustained, regulated and held accountable. In 2012, after a long and troubled transition, a new political dispensation was found in Somalia, with the adoption of the Provisional Constitution, the selection of a new parliament, the election of president and formation of a new government. For the Federal Government of Somalia to fulfill its mandate and meet expectations of the Somali people, as well as being able to assume gradually the capacity to deliver services to the population, Somalia’s public institution need  to engage the public in the governance process . In order to have legitimate government it is needed to a have consolidated and inclusive approach towards state building process and participation of youth is key for making a stable ahead.

In today’s Somalia context, it is important that the government institutions and the citizens alike be encouraged to take interest in   federalism process and government decision-making activities and that opportunities be created to foster civic participation.  “Nothing is more important to the health of a democracy than the active engagement of young people in representative governments”. Federalism offers an opportunity for all sectors and sections of communities to engage in decision-making within emerging indigenous institutions, as well as drawing in existing administrations structures to participate in forums that improve the provisional constitution and other vital tasks that shape government and governance. Federal, state level and academia in discussion on federalism and the related process is important, not only to brainstorm related and apt interventions but also to sensitize the citizens on the State formation and building process.

The Intergovernmental Consultative Forum will serve as a platform for dialogue and cooperation between the Federal Government, Member States institutions, Somali Partners and other non-state institutions to create an environment for consultation, negotiation, conflict resolution between different levels of government on actual issues of intergovernmental matters. These interregional meetings / dialogue will be conducted in the form interregional trainings serving as platforms for Federal Government and Federal Member State Governments and BRA representatives to discuss pertinent issues of the Somali federalisation process from a specific theoretical but also federal and regional perspective respectively.

Management Institute for National Development (MIND) will facilitate national dialogue with per-drafted options on;

• Background and Structure of the Somali Constitutional Review Process;
• The Concepts of Separation of Powers and Political Decentralization;
• The Organization of the Executive in a Federal System;
• The Organization of the Legislature in a Federal System;
• The Organization of the Judiciary in a Federal System;
• The Organization of the Somali Security System
• The Organization of the Fiscal System;
• The Status of Mogadishu in the Somali Federal System;
• The Formation and the Role of the Independent Commissions;
• The Structure and Principles of Collaboration of the Levels of Government;
• The Electoral System and Political Parties;
• The Number and Boundaries of the Federal Member States and Districts

The rationale of the IGR Consultative Forum is to use the platform as an instrument of intergovernmental relations. It will bring together institutions both at federal and state level of the government, civil society and acadenia for the discussion of issues and harmonization of relationship between the FG and member states. It also provides a sense of participation to all concerned institutions and citizens encouraging active participation in decision-making, it makes for the harmonious functioning of the federalism.

The Intergovernmental Relations Consultative Forum plays an important role in advancing discussions and required technicalities and know-how in proposing appropriate policies and bringing co-ordination and co-operation among the levels of government to resolve potential conflicts.