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==History==
==History==
{{Main|History of the Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia}}
{{Main|History of the Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia}}
[[File:Somalia map states regions districts.png|thumb|right|190px|Map of Somalia 11 March 2012, after the government expansion in the fall of 2011, with the blue areas being under control of the Transitional Federal Government and the autonomous region of [[Puntland]], the yellow area being the secessionist region of [[Somaliland]], and the rest being held by Islamist militias.]]
[[File:Somalia map states regions districts.png|thumb|right|190px|Map of Somalia 23 March 2012, after the government expansion in the fall of 2011, with the blue areas being under control of the Transitional Federal Government and the autonomous region of [[Puntland]], the yellow area being the secessionist region of [[Somaliland]], and the rest being held by Islamist militias.]]
[[File:Mogadishu nov 26 01.png|thumb|left|190px|Map of [[Mogadishu]] as of November 2010, with the blue being controlled by the Transitional Federal Government, and the green being held by al-Shabaab.]]
[[File:Mogadishu nov 26 01.png|thumb|left|190px|Map of [[Mogadishu]] as of November 2010, with the blue being controlled by the Transitional Federal Government, and the green being held by al-Shabaab.]]
The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Republic of Somalia was established to restore national institutions to Somalia after the 1991 collapse of the [[Siad Barre]] regime and the ensuing [[Somali Civil War]]. Established in 2004 and internationally recognized, its support in Somalia was waning until the [[United States]]-backed 2006 intervention by the Ethiopian military, which helped drive out the rival [[Islamic Courts Union]] (ICU) in Mogadishu and solidify the TFG's rule.<ref>[http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/153/26334.html Ethiopian Invasion of Somalia]</ref>
The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Republic of Somalia was established to restore national institutions to Somalia after the 1991 collapse of the [[Siad Barre]] regime and the ensuing [[Somali Civil War]]. Established in 2004 and internationally recognized, its support in Somalia was waning until the [[United States]]-backed 2006 intervention by the Ethiopian military, which helped drive out the rival [[Islamic Courts Union]] (ICU) in Mogadishu and solidify the TFG's rule.<ref>[http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/153/26334.html Ethiopian Invasion of Somalia]</ref>

Revision as of 04:41, 24 March 2012

Politics of Somalia

Arab League Member State of the Arab League

Constitution
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations
Other
flag Somalia portal

The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) ([Dowladda Federaalka Kumeelgaarka] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help)) is the internationally recognized government of the Republic of Somalia. It was established as one of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) of government as defined in the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC) adopted in November 2004 by the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP).

The Transitional Federal Government officially comprises the executive branch of government, with the TFP serving as the legislative branch. The government is headed by the President of Somalia, to whom the cabinet reports through the Prime Minister. However, it is also used as a general term to refer to all three branches collectively.

The various departments of government, such as the Ministry of Defence, fall under the different cabinet portfolios.

Backed by the United Nations, the African Union as well as the United States, the government is currently battling Al Shabaab insurgents to assume full control of the southern part of the country. The government and its AMISOM allies managed to secure control over all of Mogadishu in August 2011.[1] According to the AU and Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, with increasing troop strength, the pace of territorial gains is expected to greatly accelerate.[2][3]

In June 2011, the mandates of the President, the Parliament Speaker and Deputies were extended until August 2012, after which point new elections are to be organized.[4]

Structure

The legal structure in Somalia is divided along three lines: civil law, religious law, and traditional clan law.

Civil law

While Somalia's formal judicial system was largely destroyed after the fall of the Siad Barre regime, it has been rebuilt and is now administered under different regional governments such as the autonomous Puntland and Somaliland macro-regions. In the case of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), a new judicial structure was formed through various international conferences.

Despite some significant political differences between them, all of these administrations share similar legal structures, much of which are predicated on the judicial systems of previous Somali administrations. These similarities in civil law include:[5]

  • A charter which affirms the primacy of shari'a or Islamic law, although in practice shari'a is applied mainly to matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and civil issues.
  • The charter guarantees respect for universal standards of human rights to all subjects of the law. It also assures the independence of the judiciary, which in turn is protected by a judicial committee.
  • A three-tier judicial system including a supreme court, a court of appeals, and courts of first instance (either divided between district and regional courts, or a single court per region).
  • The laws of the civilian government which were in effect prior to the military coup d'état that saw the Barre regime into power remain in force until the laws are amended.

Constitution

Main article: Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic

Alongside the national constitution, the Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic (TFC) lays out the basic way in which the government is to operate.

Council of Ministers

Main article: Somali Council of Ministers

The Cabinet, formally known as the Council of Ministers, at first comprised 42 offices, but was later slimmed down to 31 portfolios during a period of contention in 2006. In 2010, it was further scaled down to 18 posts. The Council of Ministers is appointed by the Prime Minister.

The current government posts and ministerial positions are as follows:

Cabinet Position Office Holder
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullahi Haji Hassan Mohamed Nuur
Minister of Defence Hussein Arab Isse
Minister of Planning & International Co-operation Abdullahi Goodah Barre
Minister of Justice & Religious Issues Ahmed Hasan Gabobe (Ugas Bille)
Minister of Interior Affairs & National Security Abdisamad Mallin Mahamud Sheikh Hasan
Minister of Finance & Treasury Dr. Abdinaasir Mahamed Abdulle
Minister of Women & Family Affairs Casho Ismaan Aqil
Minister of Agriculture & Livestock Abullahi Haaji Hasan Mahamed Nur
Minister of Health Dr. Abdicasiis Sheikh Yusuf
Minister of Information, Posts & Telecommunication Abdulqaadir Mahamed Ahmed
Minister of Employment, Youth & Sports Mahamed Muhiyadin Sheikh Mursal
Minister of Fisheries Abdiraxmaan Sheikh Ibrahim
Minister of Transport & Ports Adan Abdullaahi Adan
Minister of Federal Constitution & Reconciliation Abdiraxmaan Hosh Jibril
Minister of General Affairs, Housing & Reconstruction Jaylani Nur Iikar
Minister of Water,Minerals & Energy Abdulqaadir Maxamed Dhiaisow
Minister of Education & Culture Prof. Axmed Aydiid Ibrahim
Minister of Trade & Industry Abdiwahaab Ugas Huseen Ugas Khalif

Executive branch

Main articles: List of Presidents of Somalia and Prime Minister of Somalia

A President is elected by Parliament. The President is head of government, and chooses the Prime Minister, who leads the cabinet. The current President is Sharif Ahmed, who took office on January 31, 2009. The current Prime Minister is Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, who took office on June 19, 2011.

Parliament

Main article: Transitional Federal Parliament

The Transitional Federal Parliament elects the President and Prime Minister, and has the authority to pass and veto laws. It is also in charge of governance and administration of Mogadishu. Each of the four major clans hold 61 seats, while an alliance of minority clans hold 31 seats. After an alliance with the Islamic Courts Union and other Islamist groups was formed, the Islamists were awarded 200 seats. Representatives of citizens' groups and representatives of the Somali diaspora hold 75 seats. By law, at least 12% of all representatives must be women. Members of parliament are selected through traditional clan leaders or shura councils.

Judiciary

Main article: Judiciary of Somalia

Under the Transitional Federal Government, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu was established, as well as an Appeals Court. Smaller local courts were also established. A Judicial Service Council directs all judiciary and advises the president. All Sharia courts established by the ICU were discontinued, but Islamic prinicples are to be used in TFG courts.

State governments

Main articles: Politics of Puntland and Politics of Somaliland

Under the Transitional Federal Government, local state governments maintain some power over their affairs and maintain their own police and security forces, but are subject to the authority of the Transitional Federal Government.

Education

Main article: Education in Somalia

The Ministry of Education is officially responsible for education in Somalia, with about 15% of the government's budget being spent on education. However, in practice, the education system is now largely private. In 2006, the autonomous Puntland region in the northeast was the second territory in Somalia after the Somaliland region to introduce free primary schools, with teachers now receiving their salaries from the Puntland administration.[6] As of 2007, primary schools have also seen a 28% increase in enrollment over the preceding three years.[7] In addition, several universities in Somalia, including Mogadishu University, have been scored among the 100 best universities in Africa despite the harsh environment, which has been hailed as a triumph for grass-roots initiatives.[8]

Healthcare

The Ministry of Health heads the country's healthcare system. The current Minister of Health is Qamar Adan Ali.[9] The autonomous Puntland region has its own local Ministry of Health, which is headed by Dr. Mohamed Bashir Ali Bihi,[10] as does the Somaliland region in northwestern Somalia, with its Ministry of Health led by Osman Bile Ali.[11]

Media

The federal government has two main media outlets: Radio Mogadishu, the state-run radio station; and Somali National Television, the national television channel.

Military and police

Main article: Military of Somalia

The Transitional Federal Government's Ministry of Defense is officially responsible for the Somali National Army (SNA).

In August 2011, a TFG-Puntland cooperative agreement called for the creation of a Somali Marine Force unit, of which the already established Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) would form a part.[12]

There are also plans for the re-establishment of the Somali Air Force.

In addition, a new police force was re-established to maintain law and order. The first police academy to be built in Somalia for several years opened on December 20, 2005 at Armo, 100 kilometres south of Bosaso.[13] The Somali police also has a criminal investigations department in Mogadishu.

The autonomous Puntland and Somaliland regions within Somalia have their own security forces.

Capital

File:Mogadishu 2006.jpg
The skyline of Mogadishu.
Main article: Mogadishu

As with previous Somali administrations, the Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic recognizes Mogadishu as the capital of Somalia. The Parliament of Somalia meets in the city, which is also the seat of the nation's Supreme Court. In addition, Mogadishu is the location of the presidential palace, Villa Somalia, where the President resides. The Prime Minister also lives in the city. Mogadishu is the largest city in Somalia with a population of over 2 million people.[14] Prior to the civil war, it was known as the "White Pearl of the Indian Ocean".[15]

History

Main article: History of the Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia
Map of Somalia 23 March 2012, after the government expansion in the fall of 2011, with the blue areas being under control of the Transitional Federal Government and the autonomous region of Puntland, the yellow area being the secessionist region of Somaliland, and the rest being held by Islamist militias.
Map of Mogadishu as of November 2010, with the blue being controlled by the Transitional Federal Government, and the green being held by al-Shabaab.

The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Republic of Somalia was established to restore national institutions to Somalia after the 1991 collapse of the Siad Barre regime and the ensuing Somali Civil War. Established in 2004 and internationally recognized, its support in Somalia was waning until the United States-backed 2006 intervention by the Ethiopian military, which helped drive out the rival Islamic Courts Union (ICU) in Mogadishu and solidify the TFG's rule.[16]

Between May 31 and June 9, 2008, representatives of Somalia's federal government and the moderate Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) group of Islamist rebels participated in peace talks in Djibouti brokered by the former United Nations Special Envoy to Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah. The conference ended with a signed agreement calling for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops in exchange for the cessation of armed confrontation. Parliament was subsequently expanded to 550 seats to accommodate ARS members, which then elected Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the former ARS chairman, to office. President Sharif shortly afterwards appointed Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, the son of slain former President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, as the nation's new Prime Minister.[17]

Embassy of Somalia in Paris, France.

With the help of a small team of African Union troops, the coalition government also began a counteroffensive in February 2009 to retake control of the southern half of the country. To solidify its control of southern Somalia, the TFG formed an alliance with the Islamic Courts Union, other members of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a, a moderate Sufi militia.[18] Furthermore, Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, the two main Islamist groups in opposition, began to fight amongst themselves in mid-2009.[19]

As a truce, in March 2009, Somalia's newly established coalition government announced that it would re-implement Shari'a as the nation's official judicial system.[20] However, conflict continues in the southern and central parts of the country between government troops and al-Shabaab, extremist Islamist militants with links to al-Qaeda.[21]

On October 14, 2010, diplomat Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed was appointed the new Prime Minister of Somalia after the resignation of Premier Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke.[22]

Foreign Minister of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar in a meeting with UNDP Administrator Helen Clark and other diplomats at the UN headquarters in New York.

Per the Transitional Federal Government's (TFG) Charter,[23] Prime Minister Mohamed named a new Cabinet on November 12, 2010,[24] which has been lauded by the international community.[25][26] The allotted ministerial positions were reduced from 39 to 18.[24][27] Only two Ministers from the previous Cabinet were reappointed: Hussein Abdi Halane, the former Minister of Finance and a well-regarded figure in the international community,[28] was put in charge of a consolidated Ministry of Finance and Treasury; and Dr. Mohamud Abdi Ibrahim remained the minister of Commerce and Industry.[28] Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a, a moderate Sufi group and an important military ally of the TFG, was also accorded the key Interior and Labour ministries.[27][28] The remaining ministerial positions were largely assigned to technocrats new to the Somali political arena.[29]

In February 2012, Somali government officials met in the northeastern town of Garowe to discuss post-transition arrangements. After extensive deliberations attended by regional actors and international observers, the conference ended in a signed agreement between TFG President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Speaker of Parliament Sharif Adan Sharif Hassan, Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, Galmudug President Mohamed Ahmed Alim and Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama'a representatative Khalif Abdulkadir Noor stipulating that: a) a new 225 member bicameral parliament would be formed, consisting of an upper house seating 54 Senators as well as a lower house; b) 30% of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) is earmarked for women; c) the President is to be appointed via a constitutional election; and d) the Prime Minister is selected by the President and he/she then names his/her Cabinet.[30][31]

The Transitional Federal Government continues to reach out to both Somali and international stakeholders to help grow the administrative capacity of the Transitional Federal Institutions and plans on conducting national elections by August of 2012,[4][32][33] when the interim government's mandate expires.[2][32] A national election committee is also being organized to oversee the transition to a representative government.[34]

International relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Somalia
Current diplomatic missions of Somalia

The Transitional Federal Government is internationally recognized as the official government of Somalia. It occupies Somalia's seat in the United Nations, the African Union, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations is Elmi Ahmed Duale. The Deputy Permanent Representative is Idd Beddel Mohamed. Somalia is one of the founding members of the OIC. The TFG also has ambassadors in other countries.

The Transitional Federal Government currently maintains embassies in 34 countries.[35] Ethiopia maintains an embassy in Mogadishu,[36] and consulates in Hargeisa in Somaliland and in Garowe in Puntland.[37][38] Djibouti re-opened its embassy in Mogadishu in December 2010.[39] The following year, India also re-opened its embassy in the capital after a twenty year absence.[40] Italy maintains a special diplomatic delegation and a Technical Mission to Mogadishu, and is scheduled to re-open its embassy in the city.[41] In 2011, the United Kingdom likewise announced plans to re-open its embassy in Mogadishu.[42]

Passports

For travel, Somali citizens can obtain a Somali passport from government-designated locations or from Somali embassies abroad.

References

  1. ^ http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/08/20118655455968226.html
  2. ^ a b Security Council Meeting on Somalia
  3. ^ Making Gains - AMISOM forces take new territory
  4. ^ a b Somalia: PM Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo resigns
  5. ^ Dr Andre Le Sage (2005-06-01). "Stateless Justice in Somalia" (PDF). Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. Retrieved 2009-06-26.
  6. ^ Staff writer, Staff writer (2006 04 06). "Puntland (Somalia) to introduce free primary schools". Afrol News. Retrieved 2007-02-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Ihebuzor, Noel (2005 01 31). "EC and UNICEF join hands to support education in Somalia". United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Retrieved 2007-02-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ The Role of Islamic NGOs and Charities in a Stateless Country: The Case of Somalia by Valeria Saggiomo.
  9. ^ WHO EMRO - THE REGIONAL OFFICE AND ITS PARTNERS - Somalia
  10. ^ Ministry of Health - Puntland State of Somalia
  11. ^ Somaliland - Government Ministries
  12. ^ http://maritimesecurity.asia/free-2/piracy-2/somalia-puntland-president-speech-at-constitutional-conference-in-garowe/
  13. ^ New Police Academy Opens in Somalia
  14. ^ Mogadishu
  15. ^ Al J. Venter, Africa Today, (1975), p. 152.
  16. ^ Ethiopian Invasion of Somalia
  17. ^ "Somalia". World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  18. ^ kamaal says: (2010-05-22). "UN boss urges support for Somalia ahead of Istanbul summit". Horseedmedia.net. Retrieved 2010-06-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  19. ^ "Islamists break Somali port truce". BBC News. 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  20. ^ Shariah in Somalia – Arab News
  21. ^ "SWAELTFOAQ". Reuters. 13 February 2012.
  22. ^ Somali-American is new prime minister in Somalia
  23. ^ "Approves Somalia's New PM After Repeated Delays". Allheadlinenews.com. 2010-10-31. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  24. ^ a b New Somali Prime Minister Unveils Smaller Cabinet
  25. ^ Somali Prime Minister Unveiled His Cabinet
  26. ^ "Somali Lawmakers Pass Proposed Cabinet". Cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2010-12-30. [dead link]
  27. ^ a b Somali PM unveils leaner cabinet
  28. ^ a b c "Somali Premier Unveils New Cabinet". Garoweonline.com. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  29. ^ "Somali PM names new cabinet". News.xinhuanet.com. 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  30. ^ Somalia: Garowe conference comes to a close
  31. ^ Second Garowe Conference Concludes
  32. ^ a b Central Intelligence Agency, The CIA World Factbook 2010, Book 2010, (Skyhorse Publishing Inc.: 2009), p.620.
  33. ^ "SNCCC". SNCCC.
  34. ^ Somalia: Parliament Speaker plans committee for presidential elections
  35. ^ "Somali Ministry". Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  36. ^ We urgently need an Embassy in Somalia
  37. ^ FBI investigates Somalis in Minneapolis
  38. ^ SOMALIA: Ethiopia opens consulate in Puntland
  39. ^ Djibouti Government Opens its Embassy in Mogadishu
  40. ^ Somalia: India Reopens Its Embassy in Country After 20 Years
  41. ^ Italy first in West to reopen embassy in Somalia
  42. ^ SOMALIA: The Puntland State Minister for Planning and International Cooperation meets High Ranking European Ministers amid official Visit to the UK and the Netherland
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