National Consultative Conference on 2016 starts off in Mogadishu

The national consultative conference kicked off in Mogadishu today bringing together Federal and regional states leaders despite what appeared to have been disagreements last week over the venue of the conference.

The conference which aims to draw the roadmap for 2016 as an integral component of what is popularly known as Vision 2016 also brought together international partners including UN support mission, UNSOM, AMISOM and representatives from regional countries such as Ethiopia.

Briefing the media after the end of day one of the conference, information minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir said the conference aimed to discuss and endorse a national consultative initiative which will guide the 2016 elections and the development of relevant policies to oversee the process.

“We met here to chart way forward on building solid institutions that will guarantee security, economic development and restore the dignity of this country. We are also discussing ways to speed up the process to 2016 by developing a robust process bringing together the civil society, regional states, elders and all other stakeholders,” said Hayir.

Under the Vision 2016, Somalia is set for general elections in August 2016 which will see the end of the current administration and usher in a new one. The government and international partners fronted a join position in August regarding the fate of a universal vote noting that it would not be viable given the lack of preparedness and insecurity.

The country is however yet to agree on an alternative position and today’s conference which is expected to run for the next three days in the Presidential palace is likely to propose a solid way forward on the same.