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The Somali National Constituent Assembly (NCA) opened its sixth day Monday (July 30th) with delegates promising no further delays as they work towards ratifying the draft constitution by August 2nd, according to Radio Mogadishu.

The 825 delegates convened July 25th at Mogadishu's Police Academy and have been meeting daily with only a temporary delay Friday due to technical reasons and a mortar attack nearby. No one was injured in the blast.

"Despite the ongoing hurdles and repeated delays, the launching of the NCA conference is a turning point in the history of Somalia," Abdiqadir Yusuf, a Mogadishu-based political analyst, told Sabahi.

"After 21 years of chaos and civil war, not to mention terrorism and piracy, Somalis are able to determine their own destiny inside their own country through a democratic process," he said.

"This is an historical step and a moment of optimism for all Somalis," he said. "Somalia is approaching a new dawn and the formation of a new state that can restore peace and stability in the country."

While the draft constitution has stirred some debates among Somalis, with some calling it un-Islamic or too secular, many have expressed excitement for the process that will end the transitional government.

On Thursday, hundreds of Mogadishu residents took to the streets to express their support for the NCA delegates. Demonstrators called on the delegates to approve the new constitution, holding banners that read, "The people want political transition" and "The new constitution unites the Somali people".

If approved by the delegates later this week, the draft constitution will be provisional until a national referendum can be held some time after the transitional period ends on August 20th.

This will be Somalia's second constitution put forward for a national referendum since its independence in 1960.

"The new constitution that the NCA is seeking to ratify protects fundamental human rights and pluralism, as well as the rights and freedoms of minorities," said legal expert Jama Mohamed, who formerly taught law at Somali National University.

"The new constitution also protects women's rights, as it states that women have the same rights and duties as men. It also guarantees their political participation," he told Sabahi.

The Garowe Principles, signed by political leaders in December 2011 and bolstered in February 2012, states that 30% of seats in the new parliament will go to women. Somali women fought to be well represented, but were not granted the promised 30% of the 825 delegate seats afforded in the Roadmap documents.

If the delegates approve the new constitution by the August 2nd deadline, the 135 tribal leaders will then select the 275 members of the new parliament. The members of parliament will select their speaker and his two deputies by August 4th, followed by the presidential elections in parliament on August 20th.

The UN Security Council and the International Contact Group on Somalia have underscored the importance of ending the transitional period in Somalia by the August 20th deadline, with the United Nations calling for firm action against anyone who threatens peace, security and stability in Somalia.

The Security Council urged the Somali government and signatories to the Roadmap to redouble their efforts to fulfil their obligations in a timely and effective manner.

'A bright political future for Somalia'

"I would like to congratulate all Somalis for this success at this critical point in time," Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said in a speech at the NCA opening ceremony. "We are here today to approve the new constitution, which means laying the foundation of governance for our country and ushering in a bright political future for a new Somalia."

Ahmed said Somalia has a great opportunity for peace and stability after two decades of chaos and destruction. "This conference is an opportunity to realise the aspirations of the Somali people for building a new Somalia after 21 years," he said, calling on the NCA to support the new constitution.

Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali described the new constitution as the deciding factor in implementing the Roadmap to end the transitional government period. "This new constitution is a symbol of justice and equality for our country," he said.

Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aadan said the proposed constitution would lead the country to genuine national reconciliation and unity among the Somali people.

"Adopting this new constitution will see the dawn of a new era for Somalia," he said, calling on the Somali people to support efforts to complete the remaining tasks of the Roadmap and to form a permanent government.

Senior Transitional Federal Government officials and representatives from the United Nations, the Arab League, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development attended the NCA opening ceremony, as well as the 135 tribal leaders who selected the 825 delegates.