Civil Society response to the National Consultative Council (NCC) Communique
Garowe, May 31, 2023: Puntland Non-State Actors Association (PUNSAA), driven by its core values and commitment to good governance, accountability and the unity of the Somali nation, urges that the statebuilding process of Somalia and its crucial decisions are made through wide consensus and agreement between all stakeholders based on the spirit and principles of the constitution.
Puntland civil society recognizes that the decisions made by the National Consultative Council (NCC) fall short of providing a comprehensive remedy to the persistent political conflicts that have plagued our nation. These decisions have engendered a feeling of hopelessness from the community in reaching viable solutions to the ongoing statebuilding challenges, and in maintaining the unity of the Somali people.
The communique and the annex document which were released by the NCC on 27 May appeared to lack acknowledgment of the evolving dynamics and diverse stages which constituted the establishment of the federal system in Somalia.
PUNSAA warmly embraces the adoption of universal suffrage through multi-party system across the entire nation, exemplified by the successful local government elections conducted in Puntland. This achievement serves as a testament that such elections can be effectively organized nationwide, provided there is unwavering commitment from the country’s leadership, the enactment of appropriate legislations, and the establishment of conducive conditions to ensure its smooth implementation.
PUNSAA strongly warns against any disregard for the Constitution of the Federal Government and the Member States within the Federal Government of Somalia. It is vital to recognize that the constitutional process is still ongoing, with several crucial issues remaining to be agreed upon. The proposal to extend the terms of the Federal Government and State Governments poses a significant risk of political instability in the country, potentially derailing progress and causing undesirable repercussions.
Additionally, it is incumbent upon both Houses of the Federal Parliament to fulfill their constitutional duties by safeguarding the nation’s Constitution and abstaining from any actions that could undermine the standing and responsibilities entrusted to them by the Somali people.
Therefore, PUNSAA presents the following propositions:
- The leaders of the Federal Government and the federal member states should continue to meet and engage in negotiations to address the political conflict withing the confines of the Constitution and in adherence to the federal system.
- We urge the two houses of the Parliament to refrain from hastily approving any measures that have not yet received the final endorsement of the country’s Constitution.
- Somalia has the parliamentary system as model of governance, and any precipitous attempt to alter this system at this juncture may result in adverse consequences and impede the statebuilding process of Somalia.
- To expedite the completion of the constitutional review process and accelerate negotiations based on consensus decision-making in accordance with the provisions and procedures outlined in the Constitution.
- It is imperative to ensure the active participation of civil society in deliberations concerning critical decisions and their presence in the meetings of the National Consultative Council, so that the country’s leaders may heed the civil society’s messages and perspectives.
- Puntland government should assume it’s leadership role in the statebuilding process of Somalia, and to ensure its presence and participation in the forums and negotiations addressing the country’s governance and political future.
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PUNSAA is an association that is comprised of over 100 civil society organizations in Puntland. It is intended to harmonize, coordinate and represent the voices and aspirations of Puntland non-state actors and contribute to the wider debate on Somalia’s statebuilding process.
