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Political analysts welcomed the agreement signed last week in Addis Ababa by Somali leaders, describing it as an encouraging sign that the country is inching closer to a new era.

After three days of intensive discussions in the Ethiopian capital, leaders of various Somali parties agreed to a detailed timetable that outlined required steps to end the transitional period and elect a new president.

"The Addis Ababa agreement is an encouraging sign that Somali leaders are committed to ending the transitional period within the allotted timeframe to lift the country out of the transitional phase," said political analyst Abdullah Mahmoud, stressing the importance of Somali leaders reaching an agreement without pressure from international partners and donors.

"There is true hope that Somalia is heading towards a new era of legitimacy and democratic governance, thus bringing to an end the political crisis and chaos that have long plagued the country," he told Sabahi.

This agreement was signed by Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aadan, Puntland President Abdirahman Mohammed Faroole, Galmudug Governor Ahmed Mohammed Alin, and Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamaa representative Abdiqadir Mu'alim Noor.

Attendees at the ceremony included representatives of the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the Arab League and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Signatories urged donors and the international community to provide facilities and financial support for the success of this process. They stressed that the Somali people and the international community will not tolerate any delay or hindrance, pledging to identify anyone trying to obstruct the process, with appropriate action taken against them.

The signatories encouraged regional countries and organisations such as the African Union, IGAD, the Arab League and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to continue supporting this process. They expressed their gratitude to the international community and UN agencies -- especially the United Nations Political Office for Somalia -- for their support for this process.

Professor and political analyst Ahmed Abdiaziz also commended the progress made by politicians. "The Addis Ababa agreement has demonstrated the level of maturity of Somali politicians," he told Sabahi. "They have, once again, confirmed their determination to end the transitional period. They have also eliminated procedural obstacles and hurdles that would derail the implementation of the Roadmap and the adoption of the new constitution."

The agreement reached resolved past disputes over the new constitution and the selection of the members of the National Constituent Assembly, Abdiaziz said.

"Due to limited time remaining until the end of the transitional period in August of this year, political leaders have to persevere through this process, maintaining communication and consultation with the Somali people and all relevant stakeholders to smoothly end the transitional process," he added.

Amendments to the Garowe and Galkayo agreements

The Addis Ababa agreement amends the Garowe Principles and the Galkayo Agreement and removes obstacles for enforcing the Roadmap, according to the final communiqué. The new agreement speeds up the process of selecting members of the National Constituent Assembly, sets up an arbitration council of tribal leaders and establishes a technical committee to help tribal leaders resolve disputes.

An arbitration council comprising traditional 25 tribal leaders – five for each tribe -- will be set up to settle disputes that may arise while selecting members of the National Constituent Assembly, which will ratify the new constitution.

Leaders also agreed to establish a technical committee to make sure National Constituent Assembly candidates and members of the new parliament meet the standards stipulated in the Roadmap and the Garowe Principles.

This technical committee will also assist the traditional tribal leaders in settling differences and resolving disputes that arise among the tribes. This technical committee will consist of 36 members – 27 Somalis, two representatives from the United Nations Political Office for Somalia and seven international observers. The 27 Somali members will be selected according to the 4.5 formula and signatories of the Roadmap are tasked with choosing members of the technical committee.

The leaders also agreed to establish a co-ordinating office in Mogadishu to monitor and safeguard communications among parties participating in the transitional process.

A timetable for remaining steps

According to the recent agreement, the technical committee must complete the selection of delegates for the National Constituent Assembly by June 20th, with selected members to be present in Mogadishu by June 30th.

The National Constituent Assembly conference will commence on July 2nd, tasked with adopting the new constitution by July 10th.

The leaders also agreed to form a new federal parliament comprising 225 members, half the number of the transitional parliament. Members of the new federal parliament will be chosen by July 15th, to be sworn in on July 20th. On August 4th, members of parliament will elect the speaker and two deputies.

Presidential elections will take place on August 20, 2012, effectively ending the transitional period.