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Preparations for elections in the Federal Republic of Somalia: Imperatives, innovation and credibility in the electoral process

27 July 2016
11:00 - 13:00

Presenters:

Welcome
HE Ambassador Jamal Barrow
Embassy of the Federal Government of the Somali Republic

Challenges and successes in the organisation and management of the electoral process
Mr Farah Sheik Abdulkadir
Somalia

Measures that enhanced the credibility of the electoral process
Mr Nour Kaafi Aboubakar
Canada

Respondent
Prof Narnia Bohler-Muller
Executive Director: Democracy, Governance and Service Delivery, HSRC

Date:      27 July 2016    
Time:     11:00 – 13:00
Venue:    VCRs, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban

Presentation available for download below

The Embassy of the Federal Government of the Somali Republic in collaboration with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) will be hosting an Ambassadorial Forum on the aforementioned topic, scheduled to take place in the HSRC Video Conference Centres in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban on 27 July 2016 from 11:00 – 13:00.

In the context of a wide variety of factors that have challenged the entrenched and ongoing transition to democracy in the Federal Republic of Somalia this transition can be said to be succeeding against all odds in a number of important aspects. Given the communiqué of the National Leaders Forum on 12 April 2016 and despite various administrative and security challenges, Somali is on track to implement its 2016 electoral process and preparations for universal (one-person one-vote) elections in 2020. As specified in the communiqué a context-specific 2016 electoral process has been agreed upon and is being implemented so that elections can be held within the constitutionally mandated term limits of the legislature and the Federal Government. Under these circumstances this will be a noteworthy accomplishment for the people and government of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the seminar will discuss the continuing democratic transition in the country and the workings of, and challenges faced by, the various electoral implementation teams (electoral management bodies). As specified in the communiqué, 30% of the seats will be reserved for women candidates in each federal member state. The seminar will also discuss the importance of this measure. The purpose of the Ambassadorial Forum, which is the first in a series of seminars, is to examine preparations for elections in the Federal Republic of Somalia and the broader issues of democratic leadership and public institutions. The value of such forums is that they bring together researchers, policymakers and knowledge producers to engage around current practices and to discuss policy strategies and mechanisms that may facilitate the promotion of inclusive development at international, national and organisational levels.

We would be greatly honoured by your participation.

The HSRC seminar series is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The views and opinions expressed therein as well as findings and statements of the seminar series do not necessarily represent the views of DST.

Kindly RSVP by 26 July 2016

Cape Town : HSRC, 12th Floor, Plein Park Building (Opposite Revenue Office), Plein Street, Cape Town. Contact Carmen August ,Tel (021) 4668004, Fax (021) 461 0299 or e-mail: caugust@hsrc.ac.za

Durban :  The Atrium, 5th Floor, 430 Peter Mokaba Ridge, Berea, 4001 , Contact Ridhwaan Khan, Tel (031) 242 5400, cell: 083 788 2786 or RKhan@hsrc.ac.za , or Hlengiwe Zulu at e-mail HZulu@hsrc.ac.za

Pretoria : HSRC Video Conference, 1st floor HSRC Library Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria. Arlene Grossberg, Tel: (012) 302 2811, e-mail: acgrossberg@hsrc.ac.za