A/HRC/33/64 Expert commended the Federal Government for having submitted its national report during the session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review early in January 2016. 6. The Independent Expert examined the progress made in the establishment of federal structures under the Vision 2016 programme, such as the national human rights institution, the judicial services commission and the interim constitutional review commission, all of which will greatly strengthen the capacity of the State to ensure respect for human rights during the period of transition until after the holding of elections. He also enquired about the specific measures taken to address concerns raised regarding alleged violations of the right to freedom of expression; the non-implementation of a moratorium on the death penalty; the protection of the rights of women and children; and the lack of protection for vulnerable groups, such as persons living with a disability, internally displaced persons and minorities. A. National Leadership Forum: a new development 7. During the period subsequent to the mission conducted by the Independent Expert in 2015, leaders in Somalia sought to resolve outstanding issues through the National Leadership Forum, a new political body comprising the Federal President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister (ex officio President of Somaliland State), the Presidents of Puntland and Jubbaland, and the Presidents of the Galmudug Interim Administration, the Interim South West Administration, and the State potentially to be formed by the Hiraan and Middle Shabelle regions. Consultations at the federal level within the framework of the National Leadership Forum have permitted the settlement of political issues that could not have otherwise been resolved by Parliament owing to the short timeframe available before the elections. 8. The National Leadership Forum, an ad hoc mechanism established outside the provisional federal Constitution, has become a critical political decision-making body, hence the need to institutionalize it in the new federal Constitution. Despite what might seem a constitutional anomaly, the Forum demonstrates the goodwill of political leaders in Somalia to find a lasting and permanent solution to the crisis that the country has endured for the past two decades and a half. The leaders should be commended for their vision and resolve to ensure that the transition succeeds. B. Political and security backdrop 9. The security situation continues to improve, even though Al-Shabaab has continued to attack major security and civilian facilities, such as its attacks against AMISOM military installations and the killing of AMISOM soldiers, the occasional loss of territory and the capture of weaponry. The bomb attacks on the Ambassador and the Naasa Hablood hotels in Mogadishu in June 2016, which led to the death of two parliamentarians and the injury of a score of civilians, demonstrate the need for continued support for Somalia to consolidate peace and reconciliation. 10. The Independent Expert is concerned about reports of cuts to the financing of military support and at the threat of some States contributing contingents to AMISOM to withdraw their forces. He learned about a decision by the European Union to reduce its financial support for AMISOM troop allowances by 20 per cent. 1 Uganda and Kenya are 1 4 African Union Peace and Security Council communiqué, 595th Meeting, 28 April 2016, PSC/PR/COMM.2(DXCV), para. 11.