Mogadishu, 01 August 2012 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Dr. Augustine Mahiga welcomed today’s adoption of the Provisional Constitution of the Somalia Republic by the Constituent Assembly in Mogadishu, calling it a ‘momentous occasion’.

“Today is a day of celebration. The adoption of the Provisional Constitution is an historic achievement as it completes one of the most important milestones towards ending the current transitional period and ushering in a new political future,” Dr. Mahiga said.

After 7 days of deliberations in Mogadishu, the Constituent Assembly today voted to overwhelmingly adopt the Provisional Constitution with a 96% yes vote, which will now provide the legal framework to govern Somalia. The Provisional Constitution was approved after the 621 delegates present, out of 825, voted in favour of the constitution. Only 13 members voted against the document, and 11 abstained. There was jubilant applause in the plenary hall when the results were announced.

The SRSG praised the work of the delegates and recognized that their role of representing the people of Somalia in the adoption of the Provisional Constitution has been key to ensuring transparency and legitimacy in the current political process. “The Constituent Assembly embodied the diversity of Somali society around the traditional clan system, and ensured inclusiveness by bringing together elders, religious leaders, women, youth, business people, intellectuals and the Diaspora,” SRSG Mahiga said.

SRSG praised further the Somali delegates who “were not deterred” by the suicide bomb attack which occurred earlier in the morning outside the NCA venue in an attempt to disrupt the process. The attempt was promptly foiled by the security forces. “I pay tribute to the Somali and AMISOM security personnel who ensured the safety of the delegates and the process”, Dr. Mahiga noted.

SRSG further emphasised the importance of now completing the remaining tasks in ending the transition, saying, “Adoption of the constitution is not an end to the process; it is a step towards the future. The constitution must now be implemented to become a living reality. For that to happen, the final steps to ending the transition must be taken including selecting a representative Parliament, and electing a Speaker, the President, and appointing an executive government.”

The current mandate of the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia will come to an end on the 20 August 2012.