A Constitution of Ambiguity and Deferment

August 8, 2012 | Filed under: News in English,Warka Maanta | Posted by: QOL Admin

TFG Minister of Reconciliation and Constitution. Source: Google Images

by Abukar Arman | on August 7th, 2012 | If constitutions are supposed to make boundaries of the government’s legitimate authority over its citizens and state or regional administrations clear, Somalia’s new constitution oddly falls short. While there are some bright provisions in the new constitution, much of it can be aptly described as uncertain assurances and a “not now” legal document!

However, one would have no idea if one’s information about the new constitution was only through the uniformed report of the international media, the UN and a handful of countries of well-wishers who were quick to congratulate Somalia for its “historic accomplishment.”

There is no dispute that what took place in Mogadishu on August 1, 2012 is an historical milestone, or at least it has that potential. And before history renders its final judgment, I would like to say that the forecast is eerily grim. And if the new parliament does not make the necessary changes as soon as it assumes its responsibilities, the new constitution could, among other things, undermine the profound security and stabilization accomplishments of recent months.