MOGADISHU, Somalia Aug 21 2012 (Garowe Online) – The eight
long year transitional government of Somalia, ended on Monday, when a new
federal parliament was sworn in, Garowe Online reports.
On Monday 221 members
of parliament were sworn in, in Mogadishu’s heavily secured airport which ended
the term of the transitional government led by President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
The historic event which many Somalis were overjoyed with
was sidelined by heeds from the
international community to anyone trying to
impede the political process.
White House spokesperson Jay Carney welcomed the new federal
parliament and anticipated the political process to continue smoothly.
"We look forward to parliament expeditiously
completing all remaining tasks," said Mr. Carney
However the spokesman warned spoilers
that they should not try to hinder the political process.
“Any attempt to impede the political
transition will not be tolerated," Mr. Carney said.
UN Representative to Somalia
Augustine Mahiga welcomed the process and stated that this was a historic
moment for Somalis and Somalia.
“This historic moment
marks the long-awaited end of the transitional period in Somalia,” said
Ambassador Mahiga.
Ambassadbor Mahiga said in an interview to BBC that this
government is different to previous ones because it has a constitution and a
new federal parliament.
However Somali political analysts argue that the transitional
government is still in effect because of the lack of independency in the Somali
political process.
The Technical Selection Committee was responsible for selecting
MPs based on criteria provided by the UN which also gave the committee “comprehensive
information” on candidates.
Analysts say that the transitional government is far from
over because authority to select parliament lies in the hands of a committee
backed by the UN and international community.
Mohamed Abdi a professor at Puntland State University and a Somali
political analyst says that Somalia has moved from one transitional government
to the next.
“The end of the transitional government has given birth to a
new caretaker government where all the big decisions are decided by the
international community and the UN,” said Mr. Abdi
Dr. Michael A. Weinstein a Professor of Political Science at
Purdue University argues that just by giving Somalia a constitution and
regulating parliament does not mean that Somalia will crawl out of the failed
state moniker. The country needs reconciliation on the ground level argues Dr.
Weinstein.
“The solution is reconciliation among
Somalia’s factions: self-generated reconciliation by Somalis. A commitment by
Somalis to live together, which is not now present, would have to be made by
enough Somali friends of Somalia to start a fusion process,” said Dr. Weinstein.
Somalia which has been without a
legitimate government for almost 15 years not counting the transitional governments,
will announce a president by next week.
GAROWE ONLINE
