CSOs discuss implementation of elections outreach programme in Somalia

On the 31 March 2019, Civil Society organisations (CSOs) met with EISA Somalia to brainstorm on EISA’s new programme titled “Support Towards a Democratic, Unified and Peaceful Somalia”, tagged in short as STAND UP SOMALIA. With generous support from the Embassy of Sweden, Nairobi, the programme is expected to provide support to CSOs across Banadir regional administration and the Federal Member States.

“The programme is developed in response to the expressed needs and expectations from state and non-state actors that EISA has supported since 2014”, said the EISA Acting Country Director, Mukenyi Badibanga.

The brainstorming session included women and youth mindful of their role in the peacebuilding process the country has embarked on since 2012.

Following the exposition of STAND UP SOMALIA by the Acting Country Director, participants engaged in a constructive discussion on the CSO related components of the programme. The highlights of the discussion included the importance of aligning activities with the plan of the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) and the need to speak with one voice and use the same messages during outreach campaigns.

The discussions also focused on the advantage of a social dialogue platform to bring together state and non-state actors, the role of citizen observation, and the benefit of engaging meaningfully women, youth and the marginalised groups.

The CSOs welcomed STAND UP SOMALIA and committed to work closely with EISA for the success of the programme which is expected to commence in a very near future.