The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

In 2008, the United Nations started new peace and reconciliation efforts called the Djibouti Process to settle tensions between the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and opposition groups. The Djibouti Process benefited from support among regional and international partners as it attempted to reconcile the TFG with the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), the main opposition group. The resulting peace agreement is the only recent reconciliation recognized by the international community, regional actors and more importantly Somali political players – external and internal. The agreement serves as a roadmap for enlarging the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP), forming a unity government and extending the transitional process set to be completed by August 2011.

The transitional process consists of Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) preparing the legal basis for and creating the mechanisms to ensure peace and reconciliation among Somalis. The process aims to transition temporary Somali institutions from an interim to a permanent government that is democratically elected by the people. In December 2008, the Somali parliament gave principle endorsement to the Djibouti Peace Agreement signed by representatives of the TFG and moderate members of the ARS.

Though violence and insecurity continue to plague the country, the election in January 2009 of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed invigorated efforts by the TFIs to establish political stability. President Sharif was elected by the newly-expanded parliament that included original members of the TFP as well as representatives of the ARS.

• Peaceful presidential election, expanded parliament offer hope for political progress in Somalia»

NDI has been active in Somalia since 2005, with programs aimed at establishing the TFIs as credible institutions as the country transitions to a permanent government. The next two years during the transitional process are critical for the TFIs to establish security, build their credibility among the Somali population, facilitate the delivery of basic services and develop viable, permanent government institutions. NDI has worked with the offices of the president and prime minister and the speaker of parliament, political and administrative heads of more than 30 ministries, and nearly 400 members of parliament including two dozen female MPs.

NDI's programming is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Strengthening Governance

Conflict Mitigation

Technology in Governance

Women's Political Participation and Caucus

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