Galmudug Assembly members laud training after week long seminars come to a close

A five-day training for 89-member Galmudug regional assembly, aimed at educating the new members about the role and functions of parliament, came to a close in Mogadishu on Wednesday 25 November 2015.

The training was organized by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as part of its mandate for supporting the Federal Government establish required institutions, to fast track the country’s political development.

At the end of the weeklong course, the new legislators demonstrated a deeper understanding of the role of parliament, representation, law-making and oversight. They were also better acquainted with Somalia’s provisional constitution and the existing legal system; the principle of separation of powers; the concept of checks and balances of powers. They understood the workings of a parliamentary secretariat and administrative structure of parliament, parliamentary practice and procedures.

Officially closing the training, the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) Hon. Lydia Wanyoto, said capacity building of regional lawmakers would contribute to the overall success of the legislature in the interim administrations.

“Our desire to continue giving support to Galmudug Interim Administration, within our capacity is exemplified by this training. AMISOM is planning further material and technical support for Galmudug parliament, among them equipping the library as a continuation of the capacity building program”, pledged DSRCC Wanyoto.

Present at the closing ceremony was AMISOM’s Senior Political Officer Mr. Haji Ssebirumbi Kisinziggo and the Deputy Speaker of the Galmudug regional assembly Mr. Hared Ali Hared.

Mr Kisinziggo said the training offered to Galmudug Assemby members was part of the activities the Political office had undertaken to fulfill in 2015. He promised further engagement with the region’s administration.

A member of the Galmudug regional assembly Ms. Boosteya Jama Ali, described the training as a “lifetime exposure”. She said MPs had gained skills on how to handle their responsibilities as representatives of the people.

“I am one of the female parliamentarians of Galmudug regional assembly. We have benefited a lot from the seminars. I am first time Member of Parliament with no prior experience in politics but today, through the knowledge gained from the seminars, I believe I can use it in parliament and also in serving my constituents well. I have gained a lot understanding about my own constitution, which I had little knowledge about. But today when discussing legal matters in parliament or with entities, I can refer to articles of the law and I have achieved that through the seminars”, added a grateful Ms Ali.