GalMudug State Government (GMS)
GalMudug State Government is an autonomous regional administration in the Somali Republic. The GMS does not seek independence from the Somali Republic but is responsible for the local administration of the vast region the size of the State of New York.
GalMudug Government Structure
GalMudug State Government consists of three independent bodies:
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Executive Branch
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Legislature:
o House of Representatives
o House of Elders
1.0 Executive Branch
The Executive Branch of Galmudug State consists of the Office of the Presidency and the Cabinet of Ministers. The Chief Executive is President Kemiko. Day to day ministerial portfolio functions are managed by the First Minister, who is lead Minister in the GMS cabinet.
1.1 First Minister
The First Minister nominated by the President and is presented to the three other government bodies for ratification: the legislature, namely the House of Representatives, and House of Elders and the Judiciary. After the ratification, the First Minister is then tasked with forming the Cabinet. The Cabinet has to be formally approved by the Legislature and the Judiciary before being sworn into office.
The First Minister is the lead minister and has sweeping authority over the cabinet. His/her’s portfolio duties include nominating, reshuffling and dismissing the cabinet; serving as acting head-of-state during the President’s absence, and representing the Office of the Chief Executive in meetings with the Legislature and Judiciary.
The First Minister can only serve a maximum of two four year terms.
1.2 Deputy First Minister
The Deputy First Minister is selected by the First Minister. The Deputy First Minister assists the First Minister with in the day to day duties.
1.3 Cabinet
The Cabinet are appointed by the First Minister in consultation with the President. After the selection of the Cabinet, the Parliament ratifies the cabinet by a vote. Qualification to be a Cabinet Minister are being a person of sound moral character, educated, a Somali citizen and over the age of 25.
2.0 Parliament
There are two bodies in the Parliament. The first is the House of Representatives and the second is the House of Elders.
2.1 House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is the upper house of the regional parliament. It is a broad based parliament that consists of elected representatives of the people. These represenatives come from all segements of the Civil Society. The House of Representatives has the power to legislate new laws, approve the nomination of the First Minister and Cabinet, reviewing the State Budget and performance of the Executive Office.
2.2 House of Elders
The House of Elders is the lower house of the regional parliament of GalMudug State. The House of Elders represent that traditional, cultural leadership of the State. In Somali society, the traditional leaders have great sway and influence over their people. GMS acknowledges the power of these traditional leaders by making them part of the second house of Parliament. Traditional leaders consist of the clan elders, and religious clerics.
2.2.1 Clan Elders
GalMudug State of Somalia has several clans that settle in the state: Habar Gidir, Dududle, Dir, Abgaal, Shiekhal, Murusade and Madibhan. Clan elders are chosen by traditional leaders from each clan to present them.
2.2.2 Religious Clerics
GalMudug society has great reverence for the religious clerics. Religious clerics provide religious guidance to the GMS and ensure that the voices of the many religious clerics are heard.
4. Judicial branch
The judiciary is independent body design to be the law of the land. GMS laws are based on traditional Somali law, Heer, and Islamic law. The Judiciary intreprets both when reviewing cases brought to the judiciary. There are two bodies of the Judiciary: Courts of Appeal and Primary Courts.
4.1 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is the head of the Judiciary. He or she is nominated by the First Minister of Galmudug State with the assistants of Deputy First Minister. The Chief Justice must be approved by the Parliament. The Chief justice is responsible for the administration of his court and the preparation of the judiciary's budget.
4.2 The Judicial Courts
Galmudug judicial courts are the Courts of Appeal, and the Primary Courts. The Courts of Appeal reviews the decisions made by primary courts on appeal. The Primary Courts are take criminal and civil cases in the different settlements of the state.
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