Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia’s Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation (MOIFAR) has released a statement titled “Implementing the Prime Minister’s Suggestion,” which outlines three new rules for Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) ministries and agencies regarding the holding and attending of meetings. The move comes as an attempt to streamline government operations and improve transparency, but questions remain about the effectiveness and enforceability of these guidelines, particularly given the FGS’s limited influence outside the capital city of Mogadishu.
The New Meeting Guidelines
The Somalia MOIFAR’s statement lays out three key rules that FGS ministries and agencies must adhere to when it comes to meetings. Firstly, the government’s different levels cannot hold any meetings outside the country. This stipulation aims to ensure that officials conduct government business within Somalia’s borders, potentially to reduce costs and increase accountability.
Secondly, any international meetings attended abroad must be official in nature and have clear agendas, communiqués, and references. This requirement seeks to prevent government officials from engaging in unnecessary or unauthorized travel and to ensure that any meetings attended serve a legitimate purpose and are properly documented.
Lastly, the Somalia MOIFAR guidelines state that all official communication must be conducted through official email channels and not through personal emails or other platforms that lack proper references. This rule aims to improve record-keeping and transparency, making it easier to track and monitor government communications.
The introduction of these new guidelines by the Somalia MOIFAR comes in response to the current state of affairs, where government meetings and communications often lack the necessary structure, transparency, and accountability. It is not uncommon for government officials to hold meetings outside the country without clear agendas or documentation, leading to concerns about the misuse of public resources and the potential for corruption.
Moreover, the use of personal email accounts and other unofficial communication channels has made it difficult to track and monitor government business, further eroding public trust in the institution. By implementing these new rules, the Somalia MOIFAR hopes to address these shortcomings and improve the overall functioning of the FGS.
Challenges to Implementation
While the intentions behind the Somalia MOIFAR’s new meeting guidelines are commendable, there are significant challenges to their implementation, particularly given the complex political landscape of Somalia. The FGS’s limited influence and authority outside of Mogadishu, where many of the country’s Federal Member States (FMS) operate with a high degree of autonomy, stands as one of the primary obstacles.
In reality, it is unlikely that the FMS will fully comply with the new guidelines set forth by the Somalia MOIFAR, as they have their own established practices and priorities when it comes to conducting government business. Without the ability to enforce these rules consistently across the country, the FGS may struggle to achieve the desired level of transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, the FGS’s recent inability to close Ethiopian consulates in Garowe and Hargeisa, despite its efforts to do so, underscores the limitations of its power and influence. If the central government cannot effectively assert its authority in matters of foreign representation, it is doubtful that it will be able to enforce strict meeting guidelines across all levels of government.
