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After 21 years Somalia adopts New Constitution – abortion, Islam, FGM

August 1, 2012 · 3291417 Comments2012-08-01+15%3A16%3A50Hassan+Ali

Somali delegates read the book of the constitution during the National Constituent Assembly meeting in Mogadishu. A special assembly is tasked with voting on a new constitution for war-torn Somalia as the corruption-riddled government approaches the end of its mandate next month. (Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP/Getty Images)

Somali delegates read the book of the constitution during the National Constituent Assembly meeting in Mogadishu. (Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP/Getty Images)

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s National Constituent Assembly has overwhelmingly approved a new draft constitution, in a critical step toward ending the country’s long political transition. The vote followed days of debate on some controversial clauses.

The constituent assembly passed the new constitution Wednesday with a vote of 621 in favor, 13 against, with 11 abstaining.

The constituent assembly met under tight security at a former police training center in the capital, Mogadishu.

Two suicide bombers attempted to enter the venue before the vote but were shot and killed by security forces. Authorities said at least one bomber detonated explosives during the clash injuring several security officers.

United Nations Special Representative Ambassador Augustine Mahiga said passing the new constitution moves Somalia closer to establishing new political institutions.

“I’m very happy and satisfied by the outcome of the vote by the constituent assembly to adopt the provisional constitution, which marks one of the major steps in ending the transition,” said Mahiga.

Somali leaders must select a new parliament and elect a new president before the U.N. mandate for the existing transitional government expires on August 20.

In addition to laying out the framework for the next government, the constitution also establishes Somalia as a Muslim country.

It also guarantees more rights for women, including the right to be included in all national institutions.

Members of the Somali community, including traditional elders, have expressed concern that allowing women to run for high office goes against Islamic law.

Others have expressed concern about divisions of power between federal and regional governments and other legal issues.

A member of the constituent assembly, Ibrahim Salah, told VOA he voted to approve the constitution, despite his objections to some of the content — including the fact that it does not explicitly name Mogadishu as the federal capital.

“I voted yes,” he said, “because, we looked at the constitution over the last three days, after being broken off into groups, and we discussed all the clauses that the Somali people were not comfortable with.”

Special Representative Mahiga said the constituent assembly has “earmarked” some areas of the constitution for further discussion by the next parliament.

The new constitution will be provisional until approved through a national referendum.

In the next step in the political process, a group of traditional elders are to select members of a new parliament who will then elect a president and speaker.

Mahiga has warned of reports of aspiring politicians using bribery and intimidation to try to get a seat in parliament.

“I had expressed concern, and I continue to express concern, and issue warnings that these leadership positions have to be respected and the integrity of the process must be ensured,” he said.

Mahiga said corrupt practices are especially detrimental to women candidates, who have fewer resources.

Voice of America (VOA)

August 1, 2012

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By Hassan Ali

Tags: abortion, Constitution, freedom, Islam, Liberty, national assembly, Somalia

Kayse says:

This is a big step forward, even though I am not in favor of the tribal federations which will benefit Somalia's foes by ensuring that Somalis continue to fight over every block in their unmarked tribal states. I welcome the empowerment of women, the tribal mini-state threat can be countered with women giving enough power and voice. They will pull every farah by the gaadh and macaawis and make sure their tribal infestation doesn't ruin the nation for another decades.

KUDOS to the ladies. I support them and they have my vote but not for Presidency, what if one Halimo finds Meles Zenawi attractive and spends months in Sheraton Hotel?

Tas lagu ma amiini karo lakin wixi ka hoseya go for it. Your capable lakin no no to PM or Presidency because Somali women have a weakness for any farah who greets them.

9:24 am on August 1, 2012

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- Jabuutawi says:
  
  Kayse,
  
  I got a question for you. Who do you think would be the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs, Interior Head, Defense Minister and Parliament Speaker? In America it goes like this: President, Vice-President, Secretary of State, Interior Secretary, Secretary of Defense and House Speaker.
  
  I am curious to know who they are, where they hail from, and if the north has any chance or say in the new government. One thing is certain, no !ssa guy will be in the Cabinet, perhaps Assistant Secretary to the Deputy Secretary of State…lol.
  
  BTW: If a woman finds Zenawi attractive, she deserves to be with him! On a different note: I think two things could be a possibility of why no one knows where Zenawi is; he either has AIDS or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy – mad cow disease.
  
  9:27 pm on August 1, 2012
  
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  - khaatumo citizen says:
    
    mayn you are so prejudice.. is not 14th century anymore. today women's are more capable than men
    they are working with shoulder to shoulder with man in every field, from president to bus-driver. bless em
    
    loooool what if one Halimo finds Meles Zenawi attractive kulaha.. don't think anyone will find this raw meat eater attactive and just because u find someone attactive, u don't have to change who you are..
    
    10:13 pm on August 1, 2012
    
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    - Jabuutawi says:
      
      I avoid taking bus driven by a woman, even if I am late to my destination. They too emotional, especially black drama queens. They can't handle stress very well. Kha@tu*mo, there are certain roles not meant for women. I tell you, I love the 14th century, roles were certainly defined for the sexes. Things were black or white, no shade of gray – you feel me sister.
      
      11:25 pm on August 1, 2012
      
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    - Kayse says:
      
      Let's see the U.S. elect a female president. The concern against women holding search place is equal in almost all nations that require men power. Women can rule places like Norway, Sweden and even Germany no problem because Germany is trying to wash its hands from what man like Hitler did—they are laying low.
      
      Nations like US, Somalia, Russia, Turkey, etc, where their enemies are many need strong man in power not some halimo or hillbillies.
      
      I support women going after every dream but they will never become president or PM in Somalia as long as we have the likes of Ethiopia and other external threats. You should be happy we no longer telling you stay in the kitchen or even let you drive unlike KSA hahahahaha.
      
      The only reason we need women is because the men became corrupted with tribalism however once Somali men mature from that stage, we will dismiss all hawooleys from the parliament. We have woman like that Fatuma calling the speaker Sakiin haahahahaha…raali ahadaa….raali ahadaa…
      
      Hawooley can never work with us men, I mean we have nothing in common. So maybe we should have a separate parliament for just women like restaurants and hotels :)
      
      Anigu dumarka wan tageera lakin isku dabeecad ma nihin, isma fahaano, we have no common goal….dumar worry about kids, we just like to make them hahahaahaha.
      
      11:56 pm on August 1, 2012
      
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      - amal says:
        
        "dumar worry about kids, we just like to make them" lol No wonder why Somali people are in this sad current affairs. Our men terribly failed the Somalil people while our women pick up the pieces.
        
        "The only reason we need women is because the men became corrupted with tribalism" Women are half the society and they give birth to the other half as if they are the full society (quote)
        
        Women are soft hearted and emotional, loving and caring and men take advantage of this to shape social inequalities.
        
        lol don't start on women now
        
        5:49 am on August 2, 2012
      - Khaatumo citizen says:
        
        Amal, preach on sis loool
        women have every right to go after thier dreams and no men will stop them. Thank God is not 14th century anymore when Arabs used burry thier daughters alive.
        
        4:09 pm on August 2, 2012
      - khaatumo citizen says:
        
        @Kayse and Jabuutawi you guys are unbelievable way over your heads :(
        
        8:31 pm on August 2, 2012
      - amal says:
        
        Khatumo,
        Kayse and Jabuutawi are stuck in dark ages with their unpleasant chauvinist jokes.
        Somali women have been the back bone of the society and there is nothing now that will stop us to achieve whatever we aspire to be; the sky is the limit.
        
        3:17 am on August 3, 2012
Abdiwahab says:

Somalia is never going to recover with this destructive constitution that only serves the interests of her enemies and not the Somalian people. However I dont have much sympathy since the folks to the south insist Somaliland rejoins a dying horse of a union thus reverse its progress in the last 21 years by claiming us as stated in this document which is irresponsible, distant and counter-productive to the realities on the ground

9:46 am on August 1, 2012

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- khaatumo citizen says:
  
  what is the realities on the ground?? enlighten us..
  
  10:20 pm on August 1, 2012
  
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Xarago says:

This is historic time to approve Somali constitution, there is light the end of tunnel new beginning for Somali a Republic.

4:30 pm on August 1, 2012

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PuntlandGeezer says:

this is a new chapter in the history of somalia thanks to our great somali prime minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali & the people of Puntand who worked hard tiredly to achieve this vital peace in somalia.
No more tagged with failed state, piracy or terrorism.
the republic of somalia has reborn, we like to ask our brother/ sister from hargeisa to join as in this path of democracy!!!

7:23 pm on August 1, 2012

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- Truth says:
  
  Bro you started so good by why do you have to exclusively give the credit to Puntland? All Somalis worked on this, if it was a Puntland thing only it would have never worked! Alls Somalis worked together, if it wasn't for that it would have never worked! I support the State of Puntland but pleas change your tone brother, such tone will only divide us.
  
  8:16 pm on August 1, 2012
  
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mohamed cheers says:

Let's wait, watch,and see what happens and how the roadmap treaties signatories could be
able to take off resoundingly workable with recycling the TFG Warlords and the engaged IC stakeholders and the UN?. Whatever the future holds for Somalia, but make no mistake that the treaties unsignatory Somaliland is always outside the scope of what takes place in Somalia and remains an Independent entity of its own making de jure rights. Somaliland stands the best resilent opportunities for recognition asap. All the signs are significantly printed on the wall. If President Obama wants a 2nd term win come easy, like his friends, the Clintons, for East Timor, his IslamicForeign policy should begin with recognizing the Somaliland to then give lee-way for the HMG Govt to second and so forth. Somehow President Obama should show certain improvements in the Foreign US Policies towards the Muslim World as promised which upto now is still at odds in real common senses.
Cheers.

10:30 pm on August 1, 2012

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- Truth says:
  
  you should know both territories were called Somaliland (Britian Somaliland & Italiand Somaliland) until both territories united (after the colonial times ended) to form the Somali Republic! They were both called Somaliland because Somaliland means THE LAND OF THE SOMALI PEOPLE IDIOT!!
  The other thing I want to let you know is, if you want to secess so badly then take your ''Woqooyi Galbeed'' with you because is only you (Isaaqs) that want to secess!! The people of Khaatumo stated clearly that they don't want to be part you your secession, and the people of Awdal always stated that they didn't want to be part of your secession!! No one want you guys just leave other people alone!! BELIEVE ME THAT'S YOUR BEST CHANCE OF GETTING ANY RECOGNITION!
  
  12:59 pm on August 2, 2012
  
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omar says:

It’s mile stone put still we need to be careful This is unknown territory. The country full of foreign troops also There is quite few somali leaders who are selfish opportunistic will auction The counrty own benefit.

24% parliament seats located to women.This constitution will only last four years.i don’t Think women will become PM or president in somalia soon first The country have to develop implement real democracy open society.

12:41 am on August 2, 2012

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