Revisiting the UN-Controlled Constitution-Making Process for Somalia

This article provides a critical overview of the UNPOS-designed and controlled process which led to the adoption of the 2012 Provisional Constitution. The process passed through three phases: mandate and selection of the Independent Federal Constitution Commission (IFCC) members; drafting of the constitution articles; and the adoption of the draft constitution. The author argues that political expedience, secrecy, exclusion and hastiness shrouded all three stages. Keywords: Process Overview, Political Transformation, Transparency, Legitimacy, International Advice/ International Support, UNPOS, Constitution-Making Bodies, Constitutional Commission, Constitutional Committee, Civil Society, Case Study. Example.