Roundtable with the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, was guest speaker at our latest Forum for Ideas, held on Sunday 3 August 2014 at the Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu. Discussions centered on the achievements, challenges, and way forward for premier Abdiweli’s government, seven months after its formation.
Over one hundred citizens, including civil society leaders, academics, former senior officials, media personalities, representatives of women and youth groups, and members of the business community participated in the Forum. The director of HIPS, Abdi Aynte briefly outlined the format of the discussion with a twenty minute presentation given by the Prime Minister to followed by ninety minutes of interactive dialogue among all participants.
After offering his interpretation of the progress made by his government over the past seven months, the Prime Minister opened the floor to questions from the audience and via social media. Discussions covered major policy areas ranging from the current security situation to the challenges of establishing a federal system of governance.
Thanks to the enthusiasm of the audience, and indeed the willingness of the Prime Minister to engage with it, the Forum was extended by an hour, running into the evening. The audience was reminded by the premier that, despite the apparent slow pace of progress, his government is committed to its task of rebuilding Somalia.
Live footage of the Forum can be found at www.radiomuqdisho.net
