UN concerns about selection of Somali Parliament

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said that he is "seriously concerned" about the delays in the selection of a new Somali Parliament, calling upon all Somali parties "to rise above their differences and to act in the best interest of the Somali people." ? ?

"The secretary-general is seriously concerned about delays in the selection of the new Somali Parliament, and recent acts of intimidation and violence which should not continue or be allowed to threaten the successful conclusion of Somalia's transition," said a statement issued by Ban's spokesman here late Monday.

Ban "calls upon the Somali political leadership, the traditional Elders and other parties to rise above their differences and to act in the best interest of the Somali people," according to the statement.

After decades of warfare, Somalia has been undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with the Horn of Africa country's Transitional Federal Institutions implementing the Roadmap for the End of Transition, devised last September. The Roadmap spells out priority measures to be carried out before the current transitional governing arrangements end on August 20.

At a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, held in July, Somali leaders and representatives gathered to discuss a number of outstanding issues and to finalize agreements, including the establishment of a National Constituent Assembly (NCA), which would adopt the East African nation's new constitution in line with the roadmap. ? ?

The Horn of Africa's new draft constitution was approved in early August, and will be submitted to the NCA, which will represent the full spectrum of Somali society and will be selected by a group of 135 traditional Somali Elders representing all of Somalia's clans in accordance with a formula used to apportion roles in government. In addition, a so-called Technical Selection Committee will play a key role in selecting Members of the country 's new Parliament.

"The secretary-general emphasizes that the work of the Elders must proceed in a manner free from intimidation, coercion and corruption," the statement said. "Likewise, the Technical Selection Committee must be allowed to perform its duties independently and impartially, without fear of reprisal."

"The outcome of its work must be respected," the statement said.

"The secretary-general has been encouraged by the progress achieved in Somalia's political process, and stresses that this progress must not be lost," the statement said.

"He recalls the commitment of the United Nations to the peace, security and stability of Somalia, and emphasizes that action may be taken against any actor seeking to threaten the peaceful conclusion of the transition," the statement said.

"The Somali people expect and deserve a credible, inclusive and transparent end to the transition, delivered in a timely manner, in accordance with the Garoowe Principles, which is the only hope for a stable future for all Somalis," said the statement.