Introduction to federalism and decentralisation, member state constitutions, intergovernmental cooperation and the status of capital cities
“Good politics must be inclusive, participatory, vibrant and on a levelled playing field. In this regard, we are committed to solidifying our federal system of governance, which has been in place only since 2004. Our overall vision is to achieve a strong and cooperative union which works for all Somalis and enhances equity and good governance.”
His Excellency President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo’ delivered these emphatic goals at the recent London Somalia Conference on 11 May 2017. It is in this ambition that the current German Foreign Office funded project “Federalism and Decentralisation in Somalia” seeks to gradually build the capacity of the Federal Government and nascent Federal Member State governments to be able to effectively implement the federal structure of governance in Somalia. Federalism offers the opportunity for improved service delivery in Somalia and more participatory and citizen-led politics.
The first “training-of-trainers” workshop of the project was delivered to six newly recruited Technical Advisers who are embedded within ministries and offices of the Federal Government and Federal Member State governments and are charged with advising key decision-makers in federalism matters. The goal of the project is to enhance the capacity of all stakeholders in Somalia to act cooperatively within a federal structure.
The workshop focussed on introductions to federalism and decentralisation, member state constitutions, intergovernmental cooperation and the status of capital cities. With movements to more collaboration at the Federal Government level, these trainings come at an opportune moment to ensure that institutions are built to an equal capacity and can contribute equitably to the development of federalism in Somalia.
Following this “training-of-trainers” workshop, the newly trained Technical Advisers will deliver these presentations to decision-makers and key public servants in identified counterpart institutions at the Federal Government level in Mogadishu as well as at the Federal Member State level in Galmudug, Hirshabelle, Jubaland, Puntland and South West State.