Somalia Government Reform and Elections

Various Somali leaders and stakeholders met in the capital Mogadishu on Tuesday, declaring an election would occur within a year, as part of a resolution addressing a string of national reforms.

President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed called on the delegates to take advantage of this transitional period for the country to transform into a constitutional government.

The plan outlined reforms in security and parliament to take place over the next 12 months, with expected elections in mid-August the following year.

The country has been experiencing interim governance since 2004, due to futile attempts to create constitutional change or reconciliation which has frustrated both Somalis and international parties.

That the conference was held in Mogadishu shows how far the country’s law and order has come since al-Shahab withdrew from the capital in August. However, the militia has vowed to retaliate against Somali leaders and African Union soldiers.