A/HRC/15/48 territories and to drive TFG out of Mogadishu appear to have failed. It has made no significant territorial gains in the last six months – in some places it is even said to have been bogged down in fighting with other Islamists. That it has turned to repressing people under its control is perhaps indicative that it is not at ease with them. That Al–Shabaab could not find volunteers from among Somalis and had to hire Kenyan mercenaries to do the job in Kampala could be interpreted as showing their inability to win over enough local Somalis to join their mission. In fact, most of their suicide bombers appear to have been recruited from abroad. 59. Second, according to United Nations sources, important developments are taking place in Mogadishu which are likely to enhance the credentials of TFG and the confidence of people in it. The strength and efficiency of the Somali Security Forces (SSF) is being bolstered; firm commitments have been made to increase the number and capacity of AMISOM troops which would enhance their ability to protect the Government and infrastructures in Mogadishu; important measures are being put in place to augment the capacity of Somali civil servants, the police, members of the correctional services and the judiciary; arrangements are made to ensure payment of the salaries of public servants. Significant progress has been made in preparing a draft Federal Constitution for Somalia which would be vetted by the people soon. All these steps, if followed up carefully, are likely to generate public confidence in TFG. 60. The independent expert was briefed on the above developments by those directly involved with the processes. In regard to the security sector, the developments included the increase in the number of Somali Security Forces (SSF), which is likely to rise further once those presently under training were inducted into the army. The independent expert was assured through his visit to the EUTM headquarters in Kampala that the new recruits were receiving professional training from expert trainers, including on human rights and humanitarian law. He was particularly heartened to learn that arrangements were being made to develop a proper command structure of SSF; the soldiers, both old and new, would have proper housing and other amenities and would be assured a proper salary. This would make a difference from the past when the soldiers had no barracks to stay in and were not paid regularly, resulting in slack discipline, abuse of power and, in many cases, even defections. They were now likely to be more aware about their professional responsibilities and their duty to respect human rights and humanitarian law. 61. The independent expert also learnt from the United Nations that important progress is being made to impart proper training to the police and to ensure their well–being through proper infrastructure–building and payment of salaries. Some of this had already been implemented. This would hopefully make the Somali Police Force effective, professional and accountable. If they are able to ensure the safety and protection of the lives and property of Somali citizens, the reputation of TFG would improve immensely. The projected 10,000–strong police force, trained to acceptable rule of law and human rights standards, would make a significant difference. The same is necessary for training of members of correctional services. Important progress had also been made in the judicial sector. Together, these measures are likely to yield positive results in terms of creating public confidence in the Government. 62. In regard to the drafting of the Federal Constitution, significant progress appears to have been made, as the Independent Federal Constitutional Commission, which was supported by UNDP, reportedly handed over the first draft to the TFG Minister for Constitutional Affairs in early August 2010. This could become an important milestone on the path to recovery if the draft is widely shared with the Somali people and their views are taken into account before a final version is put up for a referendum. 63. If only part of the optimism expressed above was true, it could be considered as significant progress. When one recalls that Somalia is not a high–profile operation and 14

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