The 4th Peace Conference of the Puntland Research and Development Center (PDRC) was held in Garowe, Somalia, from September 21 to 24, 2016. The conference brought together politicians, intellectuals, experts, civil society representatives, and various segments of the community to discuss the country's political, security, and development challenges. The theme of this year's conference was "Vulnerabilities, State-Building, and Peacebuilding in Somalia."
The conference communique emphasized the need for a national agreement on resolving electoral disputes and rebuilding the country's security sector. The Federal Government, regional states, civil society, and political parties are urged to reach a consensus on resolving electoral disputes and establishing a mutually acceptable political process. The communique also called on political leaders to uphold previous agreements and constitutional provisions.
The conference also addressed the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and Daesh, calling for a joint effort by the Federal Government and regional states to combat these terrorist groups. The communique emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing and security cooperation. Additionally, the conference warned against the misuse of security forces and modern equipment for political or internal conflicts.
The PDRC conference also highlighted the need for Somalia to develop its own security forces, law enforcement agencies, and military equipment to fill the security vacuum left by international forces. The communique called for an independent judiciary, accessible justice services, and a robust system for resolving constitutional and inter-governmental disputes.
The conference also emphasized the importance of preserving traditional elders' and customary law's role in Somali society while increasing women's representation in politics and the judiciary. Furthermore, the communique urged Somalia to prepare for a reduction in foreign aid by increasing domestic revenue, improving financial management, and combating corruption.
The conference also focused on economic development, calling for an increase in domestic production, agriculture, and livestock, as well as the development of systems to mitigate the effects of droughts, floods, and climate change. The communique also warned against the escalation of conflicts between regional and international powers in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
The PDRC conference concluded by recognizing the role of civil society as a "fourth pillar" of the state, with a significant role in national dialogue, elections, constitutional affairs, and accountability. The conference also praised the successes of Puntland's security forces in the fight against Daesh and proposed the establishment of an independent committee to facilitate national dialogue and monitor the implementation of political agreements.
Key points
- The conference called for a national agreement on resolving electoral disputes and rebuilding the country's security sector.
- The Federal Government and regional states are urged to reach a consensus on resolving electoral disputes and establishing a mutually acceptable political process.
- The conference recognized the role of civil society as a "fourth pillar" of the state.
