CHAPTER6:THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

Cont… The local government council is the closest government to the people in a democratically elected government. Local government is the third tier in the hierarchy of government aside from state and federal governments.

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN SOMALIA The local government is the third tier of the administrative structure in Somalia. There are 82 local government areas in Somalia under the 1989 Constitution. It is the tier of government closest to the people and considered the most important facilitator of economic and social development at the grassroots.

Cont… Each local government area is administered by a local government council comprising of the chairman who is the chief executive of the local government area, the vice chairman and other elected members who are referred to as councilors.

Cont… The chairman is normally elected, but can under special circumstances be appointed by the governor of the state . He presides over all meetings of the council and supervises the activities of the local government.

Cont… The Constitution guarantees the existence of the local government under a law, which makes provision for their establishment, structure, composition and finance.

Cont… A local government council within a state is also a partner in progress for the purpose of achieving desired economic planning and development.

District and Regional Administration Establishment Act Articles 3 Conditions for the establishment of new district: - A district is territorial jurisdictions with define demarcations.

Cont… The population figure in number of the district should be a minimum of 50,000 inhabitants. Should generate a revenue minimum 70% of its economic needs. The distance in between two districts should not bellow 40km.

Cont… Should be composed of five Villages. Each Village should fill the following conditions: To have a minimum of 10,000 inhabitant. To has intermediate school as well us Quran schools A police station and administrative local Government office. A health center. Should generate 14% of the general income revenue of the district.

Conditions for the establishment of new regions Composed of minimum 4 districts. Capable to raise 70% of its budget. The population number should not be below 200,000. The width of the regional territory should not be bellow 400km square.

Article 5 District and Regions Country districts are those existing under each region as per date of 31/12/1990. Country regions are 18 regions. Provisional capital of the regions are those existing by the date 31/12/1990. The capital of Federal republic of Somalia is Mogadishu as stated in Article 9 of the Provisional Constitution of Federal Republic of Somalia and shall have special legal status by law.

Article 8 Selection of the Regional Council Members:- Each district shall select four (4) members among which the chairperson is a part of. The selected members shall proceed to the provisional capital as representative of their respective districts to become members of the regional council with the exception of the district chairperson who shall return to his/her district.

Article 13 Immunity No member of the district and regional council be subjected to arrest or physically searched, or other dwellings are searched unless he/she been caught in the act of committing crime that calls for compulsory detention. If it is proved that she/he committed crime, it is imperative that the act of crime be reported to the chair of the council in which he/she is a member to approve his warrant of the rest.

Cont… Any member that is found guilty for a crime committed shall lose his/her immunity according to the law. The immunity rights and privileges will terminate with the office tenure.

Article 14 District Administration Council:- The district administration council is composed of 14 members: Chairperson of the district administration also being the city mayor. First deputy chairperson. Second deputy chairperson. Secretary of Social Affairs. Secretary of Planning and Development.

Cont… Secretary of Economic and Financial Affairs. Secretary for Security Affairs. Secretary for youth and Sports. Secretary for Justices, Religious Affairs. Secretary for land, Housing, Development, Tourism and Wildlife Protection.

Cont… Secretary for Information and Culture Promotion. Secretary for Rural Development, Production and Environmental Protection. Secretary for Women Development, Family Care and eliminate bad customs and practices.

CONCLUSION Local government council is the closest of all the three tiers of government to the common citizen; they exist at the grass root level. For it to perform its duties, the Constitution guaranteed each local government council separate existence, local government character and the main functions. The constitutional guaranteed nature of the local government shows the importance of that tier of government.