The Ministry of Constitutional Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia (MoCA-FGS) held a constitutional consultation on 14-16 May 2017 at Jazeera Palace Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia. The meeting brought together Federal Member States from Puntland, Jubaland, South West, Galmudug, Hirshabelle and the Benadir Region. The meeting was opened by the speaker of the House of the People H.E. Mohamed Sh. Osman Jawari and closed by the Minister of Constitutional Affairs H.E. Abdurahman Hosh Jibril. In attendance were the various Ministers of Constitutional Affairs.The gathering was part of the continuing consultations with the different sectors of society on the Constitutional Review Process.

The consultative meeting was also attended by members of the House of the People, the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission (ICRIC), representatives from the Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, civil society organizations, women, youth, disability advocacy groups, nascent political parties and Islamic scholars.

The objectives of the meeting were:

1. To consult all FMSs in the Constitutional Review Process.
2. To enhance the level of participation, collaboration and consultation in order to ensure an all-inclusive and consensus-driven approach.

3. To consider the views, concerns and inputs of the FMSs so as to avoid misunderstandings that could result in unnecessary conflict.

The Minister of Constitutional Affairs of the FGS and his counterparts from the FMS agreed on the following:

1. To establish a Forum comprising the MoCA-FGS and the FMSs with the aim of strengthening the spirit of collaboration between the FGS and FMSs.
2. To conduct regular consultative meetings (at least every three months), with the aim of empowering the FMSs in the Constitutional Review Process.
3. The members of the Forum shall work together having in mind the national interest, unity of the Somali nation and shall strive to make the constitution review process a Somali-led and owned process.
4. To work together with the aim of finalizing the Constitutional Review Process within two years.
5. The Forum will facilitate transparency, information sharing, consultation, collaboration and good leadership.
6. The Minister of Constitutional Affairs of the FGS is committed to support, empower, build capacity and provide training as well as on other constitution related activities to the various Ministers of Constitutional Affairs of the FMS.
7. The Minister of Constitutional Affairs of the FGS will also advise the various Ministers of Constitutional Affairs of the FMS on public awareness raising, civic education and public consultations with the aim of improving the quality and efficiency of the Constitutional Review Process.
8. The Minister of Constitutional Affairs of the FGS is responsible for the preparation and facilitation of the proper conduct of the Constitutional Review Process activities and for strengthening the cooperation between institutions involved in Constitutional affairs.
9. The Minister of Constitutional Affairs of the FGS is committed to work with the Ministries of Constitutional Affairs of the FMSs to seek the assistance and support of international donors.
10. The Minister of Constitutional Affairs of the FGS further expresses his commitment to lobby within the FGS for an earmarked budget for the FMS Ministries of Constitutional Affairs in their fulfillment of their public awareness raising activities on Constitutional Review Process.
11. The meeting acknowledged the support of UNDP in facilitating the organization of the meeting and making it a success.

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©2017 Ministry of Constitutional Affairs | Villa Somalia - Mogadishu