VOLUME 1 : ISSUE 2

UNDP Facilitates Knowledge Sharing between BFC, Somalia and IEBC Kenya

UNDP Facilitates Knowledge Sharing between BFC Somalia and IEBC Kenya …………………………………………………….…………………...1

UN and SSF support GIA formation process ; Enhancing Women’s participation in GIA ……………………..……….……….………………….…..2

UNDP State Formation Support Highlights …………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………..2

Journalists Trained on Federalism ; Capacity Development of MOIFA Staff …….………….……………………………………………………………..3

MOIFA and BFC conduct federalism workshop for CSOs …………………………………………………………..………………………………………...3

SSF and UNDP Support State Formation Outreach program in Middle Shabelle …………………………………………………...…………………….4

Youth Mobilized for Peace and Reconciliation in Baidoa and Kismayo ……………………………………………………………………………………...4

UNDP Conducts Capacity needs assessment for ISWA and Jubaland …………………………………………………………………………………….4

MOIFA and UNDP Facilitate Youth to Speak on Federalism and State Building Process ……………………………………………………………..5

Enhancing Women’s participation in State Building process, Baidoa ……………………………………………………………………………………...5

Jubaland Endorses its Constitution ; CSOs Meet on Federalism in Baidoa ….…………………………………………………………..…………….6

United Nations Development Programme, Somalia

Emerging State Formation and Building Project

Quarterly Updates October 2015

Emerging State Formation and Building Project Page: 1

The 2012 Provisional Constitution of the

FGS in its Article 111E mandates the crea-tion of a Boundaries and Federation Com-mission (BFC) to support the territorial changes in Somalia in order that it may be-come a fully - fledged federation of states. While the BFC Act was endorsed in the FGS Parliament on 21 December 2014, the Com-missioners were finally selected and en-dorsed by Parliament in mid - 2015. The 8 men and one woman constituted BFC start-ed work in earnest in July 2015 and they are based at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu. UNDP has provided the office space equipments to enable them to work .

To make sure that the BFC is well informed of international best practices, UNDP and Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs(MOIFA), Somalia facilitated a one week peer to peer training session with the Inde-pendent Electoral and Boundaries Commis-sion (IEBC) of Kenya in Nairobi from 1 – 6 September 2015. IEBC officials provided insights to the BFC Commissioners on the concepts of boundary delimitation, defini-tions of the different types of federalism and how Kenya has handled its own bound-aries delimitation for election purposes.

The visit to the IEBC offices in Nairobi also gave the BFC Commissioners and its Chair-man Khalif Abdikarim Mohamed the oppor-tunity to discuss with both

the Chair (Ahmed Isak Hassan) of the IEBC on the signing of a Memorandum of Un-derstanding between the two institutions to facilitate further work.

Furthermore, the IEBC, MOIFA and the BFC discussed cooperation in several areas of their work which will see the Somalis tap-ping into the knowledge of their Kenyan counterparts through exchange visits, staff secondment from the IEBC to Somalia and the development of Strategic plan and Poli-cy support for BFC. The Chairperson of the BFC expressed great appreciation for the time accorded to them by the IEBC and noted that the exercise had been an in-sightful experience.

While in Nairobi, the BFC Commissioners were taken around the different IEBC de-partments including Finance and Admin-istration, the Delimitation Unit, Communi-cations, and Mapping where they got first-hand experience on how business is con-ducted at the IEBC.

A number of officials including develop-ment funders (the Italian Embassy and the European Union delegation) as well as the Somalia Ambassador to Kenya attended the workshop and committed to assist the BFC in various ways. The BFC Commission-ers were able to draft action plan for the BFC which will be used to define their work in the future.

Top to Bottom: Group Photo of Nairobi

workshop; BFC visits IEBC office, IEBC

Chairman Hassan Sheikh Greets BFC

Chairman BFC

Contributing Donors:

Inside the Issue :

The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) began the process of forming the Galmudug Interim Administration in the first quar-ter of 2015 with inter clan reconciliation meetings in the cities of Dhuusamareb and Adaado. While there were inter-clan ten-sions between some sections of the clans over the issue of the seat of the new State this matter was finally resolved in the sec-ond quarter of 2015 after more inter-clan conferences whose logistics were largely supported by UNDP and partners such

as Somalia Stability Fund (SSF)/Finish Church Aid. UNSOM and UNDP provided technical and logistical support( particularly Air and Land transportations) for the reconciliation processes which took place until the finalization of the state formation process in the first week of July 2015.

On 4 July in Adaado, Galgadud region, the presidential and vice presidential elections for the Galmudug Interim Administration (GIA) were held and Abdi-karim Hussein Guled, former Minister of National Security, was elected as President and Mohamed Hashi Abdi as Vice President through a secret ballot. The election was covered on media/ television through UNDP and SSF sup-port. On 23 July, the presidential inauguration was held in the presence of the FGS President, Minister of Interior and Federal Affairs, and representatives of the international community in Adaado.

On 28th August 2015, the cabinet consisting of 24 ministers, four state ministers, 23 assistant ministers was introduced. Mean-while, 3 new Interim Regional Administrations (IRAs) have been formed thus far: the Interim Jubba Administration (August 2013), the Interim South West Administration ( November 2014) and Galmudug Interim Administration (July 2015). Work is continuing on the formation of the Hiraan and Middle Shabelle interim regional Administration.

UN together with SSF support Galmudug Interim Administration formation process

Emerging State Formation and Building Project Page: 2

VOLUME 1 : ISSUE 1

UNSOM and UNDP seek to provide safe and open platforms of engagement in political processes in Somalia for marginalized groups such as women and youth. In July 2015, UNSOM and UNDP supported 7 key women leaders from Puntland, Banadir, Baidoa, Kismayo and Hiraan to lead consultation processes with women living in the different regions of Mudug and Galgadud. These women who are experts in various fields and backgrounds were brought together under the ban-ner of the Somali Women’s Leadership Initiative. The group of women travelled on a 5 day mission to Adado for the reconciliation and state formation process in the Mudug and Galgadud regions. The motive of their mission was to provide solidarity support and to advocate for women’s recognition and participation in the political processes.

The women leaders met with various female groups from diverse backgrounds such as business, university students, local and regional leaders, traditional lead-ership in a workshop that was attended by over 50 women. The different meetings also offered face to face interactions between participants and the po-litical leadership that came from Mogadishu including the FGS Prime Minister, Hon. Omar A Ali, the FGS Interior Minister and other MPs who were part of a del-egation that was attending the same reconciliation meetings.

At the end of the 2 days conference the women from Adado formed a committee

of 11 women that will represent the women of Adado when the SWLI represent-

atives go to meet Central State elders from the region, the technical committee and other political representatives. This initia-

tive received significant backing from various political offices including the FGS Women’s Rights Minister Hon. Zahra Samatar.

Enhancing Women’s participation in Galmudug Interim Administration formation process

UNDP State Formation Support Highlights:

Supported Formation of Galmudug Interim Administration together with SSF/Finish Church Aid.

Supported Jubaland Administration with drafting Jubaland Charter/Constitution.

Established office structure and working environment for Boundary and Federation Commission (BFC).

Oriented BFC members on Boundary Delimitation Process and initiated consultative meets

Initiated federalism campaign and awareness programme: Launched Public Service Announcements/PSA ,

Debating competition CSOs consultations on Federalism

Provided Human Resource and Technical Assistance support to Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs( MOIFA) to co

ordinate state formation process

Provided support to emerging states with Human Resource and Technical Assistance /Training in the area of strategic

planning and organization development

Provided office equipment/furniture support to emerging states (second round of procurement in final stage)

To improve the role of the Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs (MOIFA) in the state building process, the ministry organized a two days training on federalism and Facilitation skills for the staff with the support of UNSOM and UNDP. 32 staff and advisors from MOIFA attended the training. The staff was trained on Federalism and the difference between the Federal and unitary systems of governance. Examples were cited about other governments that converted from the unitary system to the Federal one and other global prac-tices on federal system.

The staff also learned the role of MOIFA in facilitating the

state formation/building and governance process, reconcili-

ation and dialogue, negotiation and conflict mitigation skills,

inclusive negotiation skills and consensus building skills.

‘Such capacity building trainings are necessary for the

MOIFA staff who are involved in advising the regional ad-

ministrations on how to engage in work around federalism’

says State Minister of MOIFA , Mr. Hidig .

Emerging State Formation and Building Project Page: 3

The Ministry of Interi-or and Federal Affairs (MOIFA) with the sup-port of UNDP and UNSOM organized a one day workshop on the ‘Role of Media in State Building and Federalism” for 50 local journalists and media practitioners in June’15 at Jazeera Hotel, Mogadishu. The MOIFA Communi-cations Director and Acting DG Mr. Abdifatah opened the work-shop and stressed the need for the media to proactively and accurately report on the federalism process. In the process he gave a briefing on the challenges and successes of the state for-mation process in Somalia.

The participants gained insight on key features of federalism, and how federalism has been implemented in different parts of the world. International Communications Advisor from the Office of the President talked about the importance local media practitioners and positive journalism. He encouraged the par-ticipant journalists to

At the conclusion of the training, government officials from the MOIFA agreed with media practitioners that there is a need for the government and the media to engage in joint activities. This will include creating a series of state formation awareness pro-gram on television which would target all the groups in the community; women, youth, minority groups, elders, religious, academic and culture groups.

In the month of August’15, with UNDP support, the MOIFA con-

ducted a one day capacity building and familiarization workshop

on federalism for Somali civil society organizations based in

Mogadishu. The organizers also took the opportunity to link the

recently formed Boundaries and Federation Commission (BFC)

with the civil society organizations. The participants came from

various backgrounds including religious groups, youth, women,

poets and traditional elders among others.

Various and differing views were shared at the meeting. For ex-ample, Mr. Mohamud Sangub, a Somali poet noted that the uni-tary was the ideal situation for Somalia and he would prefer that it remains as is. Calling for more unity and security Sheikh Nur Barud Gurhan a religious leader attending the workshop ob-served that “people should understand that federalism doesn’t mean clannism”. Mr. Khalif Abdikarim Mohamud (BFC Commis-sioner) in a presentation noted that the BFC was not going to be making any demarcations to boundaries or territories unilateral-ly but everything would be done through consultations and ac-cording to the Somali legal framework.

The Permanent Secretary of MOIFA closed the workshop and encouraged discussions on federalism to continue and for civil society leaders to encourage more debates in their own spheres.

BFC Chairman Stated in the workshop” Role of Civil Society is very important in formation of federal member states in Soma-lia. Without effective involvement of CSOs we cannot achieve our state building goals” . Further he added, we are grateful to UNDPT to support this event”.

MOIFA and BFC conduct federalism workshop for CSOs

Journalists Trained on Federalism Capacity Development of MOIFA Staff

CSO workshop glimpse: CSO members brainstorming on Federalism

issues and Presentation by CSO members in action

MOIFA Staff being trained on Federalism and Facilitation process

Journalists along with MOIFA, UNSOM

and UNPDP team

The Outreach program aimed to engage community reconciliation and help reinforce trust between the Somali Federal gov-ernment and local communities was launched in the Middle Shabelle region in July and August of 2015. The Outreach pro-gram was funded by Somalia Stability Fund (SSF). MOIFA deployed a team comprising of UNDP sponsored Ministry’s Tech-nical Advisors, Members from Parliament Interior committee, Members from reconciliation commission, Area MPs AND Members from stakeholders to Middle Shabelle. 50 delegates traveled to Middle Shabelle region by road.

The primary objective of the mission was to conduct awareness and mobilization towards state formation at the grass root level, to carry out Civil Dialogue and Reconciliation, to provide awareness on state building, electoral Processes and to con-duct Public consultation on Laws and Acts related to Vision 2016.

The above objectives were achieved through a variety of activities which included public engagements between the local communities and federal government officials at the convened public meetings. MOIFA officials noted that the outreach campaigns boosted public perceptions around the state formation process and federalism and government.

SSF and UNDP Support State Formation Outreach program in Middle Shabelle

Emerging State Formation and Building Project Page: 4

In the month September 2015, a football tournament

in Kismayo was launched to engage youth in the pro-

motion of peace, federalism and the state formation

process wherein 12 football teams took part in Kis-

mayo. Over 500 viewers from the various villages of

Kismayo were targeted with a message reading:

“Dantu dadka waxay ku jirtaa Federaaleysi” meaning

“The common interest of the society is federalism”.

Similarly, in the second quarter of the year , in Baidoa

football tournament was held to mobilize youth and to

advocate for peace and the state building process. The

youth football teams gathered at Dr. Ayub stadium

and took part in the competition. The main aim of the

tournament was to explore opportunities for youth to

integrate and engage in political reconciliation.

President Shairf Hassen, Interim South West Admin-

istration ( ISWA) says “Youth involvement in state

building is vital process and their energy towards

peace and development is important agenda for all of

us”.

VOLUME 1 : ISSUE 2

Top to Bottom: Football team in Baidoa; Viewers watching the match in Kismayo

UNDP conducted capacity need assessment in Kismayo and Baidoa, focusing on understanding current human resources, or-ganizational capacities and operational and infrastructure status of Interim South West Administration (ISWA) and Jubaland institutions. The baseline survey will also provide a basis for the support in the UNDP medium term project, which is planned to be rolled out next year.

The survey collected data on 808 staff in 30 institutions, almost all of whom work on volunteer basis. The findings of the as-sessment noted among other things that the office infrastructure situation was dire characterized by government institutions/Ministries without suitable working environments, adequate working space and appropriate working tools. Out of the 30 insti-tutions surveyed, 21 normally operate either without formal offices or work out of rented premises; 17 have no major office

equipment; 18 possess no suitable furniture; 22 lack any ICT ac-cess; and 28 have no official form of transportation to undertake their work. These acute shortage of basic office facilities impact adversely on the process of establishment and functionality of all state intuitions.

The baseline in its recommendations noted that among key is-sues to be addressed will be:

The development and support of core government func- tions in the two states. The need for coherent policy and procedure development; More robust forms of human resources management, Enhanced public fiancé management, The need for development planning; More support in infrastructure and equipment Prioritization of gender mainstreaming.

UNDP conducts Capacity Need Assessment for ISWA and Jubaland

Youth Mobilized for Peace and Reconciliation in Baidoa and Kismayo

Capacity Assessment Workshop with ISWA Ministers/Deputy Ministers

The Ministry of Interior supported by UNDP launched a federalism and State Building awareness campaign targeting over 300 wom-

en in 11 villages in Baidoa. Baidoa Women’s Organisation was selected to mobilize participants and to encourage them to take ac-

tive part in State building process. The campaign meetings occurred between 15—30 August 2015.

The topics discussed during the campaign meetings included federalism and the inclusion of women in politics and the state for-

mation process. These events were im-

portant as they helped disseminate

information to the female citizens. Who

would ordinarily not be able to

“political” meetings for various reasons.

The local leadership for the women's

groups were excited about the

meetings and expressed hope that the

government, UNDP and UNSOM would

continue to engage them on the politi-

cal matters to rebuild Somalia. More

activities are planned in the 4th quarter

to maintain this momentum.

Enhancing Women’s participation in State Building process, Baidoa

Emerging State Formation and Building Project Page: 5

VOLUME 1 : ISSUE 2

MOIFA and UNDP continues to support the Federalism outreach

process in Somalia. One innovative way has been to engage So-

mali youth and students in higher and tertiary education institu-

tions through debating contests across the country. The inaugu-

ral debate was organized on 26 May 2015 at the Villa Sultan in

Mogadishu with close to 83 students (33 female and 50 male)

from over ten universities across Mogadishu (Somali Internation-

al University; Salaam University; SIMAD University; Plasma Uni-

versity; City University; Hope University; Jobkey University; UNI-

SO; Green Hope University; Imaan University; Somali University

and Jamhuria University) attending the event.

The FGS was represented by the Ministery of Interior and Federal

Affairs (MoIFA), Hon. Abdi Rashid Hidig to Members of Parlia-

ment (MPs) and Directors in the MoIFA showing the high levels of

commitment to civic participation and consultation in the Feder-

alism process. The Minister opened the debate and expressed

gratitude to UNDP and UNSOM for working closely with the gov-

ernment in supporting advocacy efforts to promote Federalism in

Somalia.

The top orator of the day was Simad University’s Alinor Abdi Os-

man who beat participants from the other universities. One fe-

male student who took part in the competition, Sumaya Elmi

Duhulow made an argument on federalism and argued that So-

malia had in the past paid a huge price for failing to choose feder-

alism: “I believe that federalism is the only solution in Somalia

after a long war based on clans and groups in Somalia. I believe

that federalism can bring a good solution in Somalia, because the

population has a history of public administration for over 70

years based on clans. So we cannot neglect that. We cannot re-

peat the same mistakes that happened in the 1960’s, when they

refused to take federalism as the manner of administration in

Somalia,” she said.

MOIFA and UNDP Facilitate Youth to Speak on Federalism and State Building Process

Top to bottom: Mr. Hidig State Minister, MOIFA with the Winning Team, MOIFA officials listen to the students, Student Participants in View

Left to Right: Head of Baidoa Women’s Organization Presiding the workshop, Women Participants in View

The (MOPIC) of ISWA organized a Civil Society

Workshop on federalism and state formation

on 11 and 12 June 2015 at the Baidoa Town

Hall. Close to 200 people civil society members

from the Bay and Bakool regions including

women and youth attended the meetings. The

meetings sought to increase the awareness of

civil society on federalism and the participa-

tion of women in Somalia’s politics.

The workshop applied participatory methodolo-

gies and came up with a number of outcomes.

There was a call for mainstreaming civil society

views in Somali politics. The civil society groups

also called for more support from the ISWA

government for capacity building especially for

the Women’s Rights Ministry. The call for in-

creased women’s participation in all the

spheres of ISWA’s political, economic, social

was unanimously made by the participants and

the message was taken on board by the FGS

and ISWA representatives at the meeting.

CSOs Meet on Federalism in Baidoa

Who We Are:

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting coun-

tries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166

countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they

develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

The UNDP Somalia Country Office approach works directly with local authorities in a highly sensitive and com-

plicated political environment. Although we implement across regional borders and seek access for communi-

ties throughout the country, we respect and recognize the complex and sometimes volatile nature of political

affiliations and implications. Our counterparts in Puntland, Somaliland, and South Central Somalia are involved in our project

creation and implementation in their respective regions.

Our Goals:

UNDP's network links and coordinates global and national efforts in Somalia to reach the national development priorities. Our

focus is helping countries build and share solutions to the challenges of: Democratic Governance, Poverty Reduction, Crisis Pre-

vention and Recovery, Energy and Environment, and Women's Empowerment.

UNDP Core Message:

Atul Shekhar, Team Leader, State Formation and Building Project,

UNDP Somalia,

Email: Atul. Shekhar@ undp.org

Emerging State Formation and Building Project Page: 6

Jubaland Endorses its Constitution

VOLUME 1 : ISSUE 2

Contact For Further Information:

Mr. Tendai Chabvuta , Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, Capacity

Development Prorgamme

Email: tendai.chabvuta@undp.org

Website: so.undp.org

On 1st of August 2015, Juba-

land Constitution was en-

dorsed by the delegates repre-

senting 15 districts of Interim

Jubaland Administration (IJA).

The Constitution was drafted

by Technical committee, nomi-

nated in mid-April 2015 by IJA

President. 300 delegates from

the 15 districts of IJA were in-

vited to review and endorse

the constitution.

Three hundred delegates were

divided into ten groups to re-

view the ten chapters of the

draft constitution. Each group

was assigned to review one

chapter. At the constitution endorsement event, the chairperson of drafting

constitution briefed some of the recommendations made by the delegates

which included prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) should be

included and rule of law should in line with the Islamic Sharia. After the brief,

the chairperson requested the secretariats to confirm if the 300 hundred

delegates are present at the hall and he proceeded the endorsement event

after confirmation by the Speaker of the IJA parliament. The chairperson re-

quested the delegates to raise their hand with their voting card if they en-

dorse “YES” and the whole delegates (100%) endorsed the draft constitution.

The constitution was fully endorsed by the delegates. At the closing ceremo-

ny, Minister of Minister of Constitution of the Federal Government of Soma-

lia congratulated IJA for the 100% endorsement. Further, Mr. David

Akopyan the Deputy Country Director (P), UNDP welcomed the adoption of

Jubaland constitution and congratulate Drafting committee for the job done. CSO Meet in Baidoa

To to Bottom: Mr. Akopyan, DCD(P) UNDP , addressing the delegates; Photo at Jubaland State House, Minis-ter Jama ,Mr. Jonah HoO UNSOM seen among others.