On Tuesday this week, a meeting of the Technical Committee on Implementation of the Roadmap took place in Mogadishu. Co-chaired by the TFG and UNPOS as well as the AU and IGAD it was attended by Somali and international stakeholders. The Committee presented its second progress report on what has so far been achieved in moving towards the end of the Transition on August 20^th and spelt out the major tasks still to be completed. These included continued emphasis on improving security in Mogadishu and elsewhere in the country; the finalization and adoption of the draft constitution; parliamentary reform and elections; national reconciliation and the promotion of good governance and accountability. The meeting urged Somali stakeholders, and the international community, to fulfil their commitments and obligations.

Prime Minister Meles emphasized to President Sheikh Sharif when they met here in Addis Ababa last week that that it was particularly necessary to push the process according to the schedule. The TFG must take the leadership and show it can deliver. The TFG must build credible and acceptable local government institutions as well as security and financial structures. This coupled with continuation of the Garowe process and the liberation of large areas from Al-Shabaab would let the international community think in terms of lifting arms sanctions and enabling Somalia’s army to replace foreign troops. Prime Minister Meles said it was important to have an answer to Al-Shabaab’s current tactics of melting into the community when they are unable to stand and fight. There they can only be defeated by involving local communities, by establishing administrations at the grass roots that can be trusted and which can organize effective local militias. Prime Minister Meles emphasized that administrations established from outside will not work.  Ethiopia, he said, is encouraged by what is happening in Hiiraan region where the clans are coming together and there is a consensus to establish an effective local administration through community participation. The government should now help with finance to build on this positive achievement.

President Sheikh Sharif noted that in Hiiraan, consultations have been taking place with clan elders, parliamentarians and all stakeholders. Any administration established now will only be for a short time until the elections but it will be a civilian administration representing all clans. Positions will be negotiated among the stakeholders. As Prime Minister Meles pointed out, at every stage it is important to have open consultations to avoid any suggestion that an administration is being imposed. It should command the respect of the community even if it is only for three months. The processes should show that they are truly representative. Grass roots’ participation is what makes the Road Map different from previous processes.

Source:http://www.mfa.gov.et/Press_Section/Week_Horn_Africa_Mar_23_2012.htm#4