PDRC's conference hall was packed with more than 200 participants attending the launch of Puntland's constitution. Photo Credit: PDRC

It was a historic day for Puntland as it launched its new constitution. On the 8th February, the President of Puntland, H.E. Abdurahman Mohamed Mohamoud (Farole), welcomed local and international delegations to witness the ceremonial launch of the revised constitution.
PDRC’s conference hall was packed with more than 200 participants attending the launch of Puntland’s constitution. Photo Credit: PDRC

Speaking at the event, Ms Valentina Auricchio, representing the European Union (EU), hailed the constitution as a “Constitution for Peace.” She went on to say: “We appreciate the constitution-making process that Puntland has undertaken through a charter, then a provisional constitution…and now, a revised constitution based on democratic principles.” Further describing the process she stated “it is a demonstration of broad-based representation and inclusivity principles.” The EU has been supporting the review process of the constitution, along with Sweden and Denmark, through a donor coordination body known as the ‘Democratization Steering Committee’ and has been working through Interpeace.

Johan Svensson, Interpeace's Regional Director for Eastern and Central Africa, had the opportunity to share some ideas with the President of Puntland H.E. Abdulrahman Mohamed Mohamoud. Photo Credit: PDRC

The United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), and representatives from Italy, Denmark, Norway and the ‘Democratization Steering Committee’ joined the international delegations along with the Chairman of the Independent Federal Constitutional Commission, the State Minister for the Constitution and Federal Affairs of Puntland Dr. Abdi Hassan Jimale, all the Ministers of the Puntland cabinet, the Speaker of the Puntland Parliament Hon. Abdirashid Mohammed Hersi, the chairman of the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC), Mohamed Hassan Barre, and the members of the Interim Federal Constitution Committee(IFCC), at the Conference Hall of Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC). PDRC is Interpeace’s local partner in the region and has been working in Puntland to enable lasting peace since 1998. All participants agreed that the event represented a milestone in the democratization process in Somalia.
The international and national representatives were joined by more than 200 participants from all levels and sectors of society such as traditional elders (known as Isimo in Puntland), prominent religious leaders, women and youth organizations, minority groups, representatives of the diaspora and the business community. President Abdulrahman Mohamed Mohamoud (Farole), during his speech, emphasized his commitment to the constitutional and democratization process, the establishment of a permanent Puntland Electoral Commission (PEC), the distribution of the constitution into the rural areas and the opening of a multi-party system.

Two decades of civil war has contributed to the negligence of women’s right across the Somali region. Women continue to suffer from the tragedies of the war as well as from practices including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

However the government of Puntland enacted laws against Female Genital Mutilation, a development that has been welcomed by human rights activists across the world. To encourage these positive developments, Interpeace local partner, Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC) hosted a two-day conference with leading women’s right activists from across the region – Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya as well as from Somaliland, Puntland and South Central Somalia.

The conference was organized by Puntland Ministry of Women Development and Family Affairs (MOWDAFA) and was held at PDRC’s Main Conference Hall in Garowe, Puntland. The conference focused on how best to turn policies into action and support the ending of FGM.

Over 150 women and concerned Somalis participated in the conference. They had traveled from across Puntland, Somaliland, and South-Central Somalia. Attendees also included the Somali diaspora from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.

As a persistent activist for women’s right and family development, Mrs. Asha Gelle Dirie, Puntland’s Minister of MODAFA organized the conference. The Transitional Federal Government’s Minister of Women Development Mrs. Maryan Aweys, officially opened the conference.

Among the dignitaries who participated in the conference was the First Lady of Puntland’s president, H.E. Abdurahman Faroole Mrs. Amina Abib who is also a goodwill Ambassador of the FGM eradication campaign. In her opening speech Mrs. Amina Abib expressed her joy to attend a conference focused on bringing an end to Female Genital Mutilation. The conference emphasized the need for Somali women to join forces with each other to end this practice.

At the end of the conference, participants produced 9 proposals on how best to end Female Genital Mutilation across Puntland and the Horn of Africa.

Highlights from the conference included the need to consult with religious leaders, communicate the new laws to the regions, include the issue of FGM in the school curriculum, provide alternatives for those carrying out the practice and find options to assist those who suffered from Female Genital Mutilation.

Among the more than 60 participants were government representatives, titled traditional leaders, chiefs and elders, local peace-builders, representatives of civil society and religious leaders. The meeting was a concluding endeavour of broad-based consultative meetings held in major cities of Puntland including Bosaso, Galkayo, Gardo, Badhan and Garowe.

H. E. Khaliif Issa Mudan, Minister of Security and Demobilization, Demilitarization and Reintegration (DDR) of Puntland, opened the conference that was held in Garowe. The minister praised the work of the Steering Committee that is implementing the Security and Rule of Law Pillar activities of the Pillars of Peace programme: “…you have done very good work; it is not easy to summon this number of paramount chiefs and uluma [religious leaders]. We need your support…in tackling the security problems.”

The goal of this series of consultations is to feed the voices of all levels and sectors of society into the policy-making process. “Security is an issue that affects us all and therefore requires an inclusive discussion. We need to develop policies that can stop the growing insecurity across the region,” explains Ali Farah Ali, PDRC Programme Coordinator.

“This conference paves the way for yet another historical conference to be held in Puntland in the near future. In this conference, where the new Puntland constitution will be adopted, the delegates from all walks of Puntland society will decide the fate and the overall future of the area.” adds Ali Farah.

At the closing ceremony on the second day, the UNDP/Rule of Law programme manager, Nick Beresford, addressed the meeting and pledged support to the Puntland’s security policy development.

Abdullkadir Yassin Jama

Abdullkadir Yassin Jama, may his soul rest in eternal peace, was assassinated in Galkayo on Sunday, October 30, 2011 around 5:20pm by two unknown gunmen.

He was born in 1978. He was the second last born of the family and had three brothers and four sisters. Both of his parents Khadija Ali Shire and Yassin Haji Jama are alive
He was married to Hamda Khalif Abdulle, he didn’t leave any kids behind but his wife is expecting.

Abdullkadir Yassin went his primary and secondary education in Galkayo. Later on, he went to Pakistan for university education where he did up to Master’s Degree in Economics.
After graduation, he returned to Somalia late 2009, and joined Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC) Galkayo office early 2010 as the Research Assistant in the Pillars of Peace Program. He was appointed to be interim Lead Researcher in June 2011 when the former Lead Researcher resigned.

He used to develop social linkages with and networks to all clans living in Galkayo, youth and women groups. He was also a good community mobilizer on peace-building and reconciliation
He always used to say “Tribalism and Nationalism can never go hand in hand and unless Somalis realize that we will always remain this way”.

His sudden death leaves behind a young expectant widow, and a loss of a professional in PDRC’s Galkayo Satellite Office (GSO).

PDRC staff is sending heartfelt condolence to Abdulkadi’s grieving family members, and his expecting widow.

While women in Puntland deal with the damaging consequences of violent conflict, they have traditionally been excluded from the policy debate.

One of the goals for women in Puntland is to have a comprehensive security sector policy that is both run and sanctioned by women.

Interpeace local partner, the Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC), is working to enable women in Puntland to do just this: become an integral part of the development and implementation of Puntland’s security and rule of law policies. Part of an ambitious and achievable programme, the work is aimed at improving women’s standing in Puntland society.

“Women have an important role in the future of Puntland and it is important that their voices are heard and their advice is acted upon.”

The main goals of the programme include:

• improving women’s socio-economic status, which is currently weak;
• gradually removing the socio-cultural discriminatory practices regarding women’s participation in the field of security;
• greatly reducing violence and sexual harassment against women at all levels of society; involving women in the implementation of the security policies, such as serving as police women and security personnel; and
• the involvement of women in the management of pressure groups.

“One of the basic objectives of establishing a comprehensive security sector policy in Puntland is integrating gender into security issues and the rule of law” states AbdurahmanAbdulle Osman (Shuke),  Director of PDRC.

Marching by: women in the Puntland Police. Photo Credit: PDRC

Over the last two weeks, businesswomen, housewives, female students and representatives of women’s organizations have been joining the Security and Rule of Law team from PDRC and the Steering Committee. A total of 60 (20 in each) women have participated in Garowe, Galkayo and Bosaso meetings.

Research continues as the PRDC teams are also currently conducting female specific focus groups in Bosaso. Five groups will be held in total and the insights and recommendations – the outcome – will be incorporated into the planning of the new security policy.

“Women have an important role in the future of Puntland and it is important that their voices are heard and their advice is acted upon,” confirms Shuke.

Besides their central role in the Steering Committee, as agents of Change and Decision-Makers, MP Bashir and Maryan held important public positions in Puntland; Bashir was a member of Puntland’s House of Representative since 2004 – a man of integrity, whereas Maryan was a senior member of WAWA (We are Women Activists) Umbrella and a long-serving educator, an outspoken advocate of human rights in general, and those of women in particular. They both strived for justice and equality to prevail in their society.

Their recent assessment mission to Pilot Districts (in the Pillars of Peace Programme – Decentralization) of Badhan, B/Bayla, Eyl and Jarriban was short of 30 Kms to the successful completion when the vehicle they were traveling on could not make to Garowe and rolled over their last breaths.

Last Session with Jarriban Community on 2nd October 2011.

PDRC and Interpeace managements and staffs and the members of the Steering Committees of the three Pillars of Peace Programme share the pain of losing MP Bashir and Maryan with relatives, friends and colleagues.

Photo by PDRC

For the women of Puntland, wearing white symbolizes peace. On 21 September 2011, 50 women took to the streets to raise awareness of the need to further embed peace in the region. Walking through the streets of Garowe, the main town, they attracted attention from passers-by. Not wanting their efforts to go unnoticed, they entertained the crowds by chanting traditional peace songs as they marched through the city centre.

Organized by Interpeace local partner in Puntland, the Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC), the peace march was one of the most visible elements of the peace day celebrations in the city.

After the walk, there was a public meeting held at the PDRC conference hall. Representatives of women and youth, emphasized the importance of peace and highlighted the crucial role that women and youth play in any peace process.

Local politicians, members of civil society and internally displaced people (IDPs) actively participated in the discussions.

The celebrations culminated in a football game between two local teams. Slogans that called for peace in the region were branded across their strips.

Article: Courtesy of Interpeace

The Pillars of Peace Programme is meant to advance and underpin the consolidation of peace throughout the Somali region through consensus-oriented, integrated approaches to state building and peacebuilding

Document type:  Programme support
Author:  Puntland Development and Research Center (PDRC) Interpeace
Language:  English

Download here 

Pillers of Peace Book Cover

In 2010 Puntland emerged from agitated to a fairly stable security situation. Frequent security incidents happened in Bosaso, Galkayo and, to lesser extent, in Garowe, during the first and second quarters of the year. A-shabaab insurgent group operating from Galgala and Karin Villages, on the Golis Range Mountains, about sixty and fifty kilometres south of Bosaso, respectively started fighting in this ravine landscape area. This fact triggered a fully-fledged war between the Puntland forces and the insurgents. In July this year the Puntland forces prevailed over the insurgents and the few that survived the fight fled the area.

Full Report Download here (PDF)