The withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia last January and the return  of the president, prime minister and parliamentarians to Mogadishu at the end of February created an opportunity for Somali women seeking to play a greater role in the new unity government. To aid in this effort, NDI organized a two-day study tour to Uganda and a four-day workshop in Mogadishu to help women members of parliament (MPs) and civil society representatives plan legislative and advocacy initiatives. The programs resulted in the creation of the Somali Women Parliamentarians’ Association (SOWPA).

The Iran Election Bulletin is a biweekly publication covering domestic political and election issues in Iran in the lead-up to the June 12 presidential election.

• “Do not vote for candidates who appeal to flattering the Western countries rather than focusing on the targets and aims of the founder of the Islamic Republic (Ayatollah Khomeini).”
  – Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a speech during a visit to Kurdistan in western Iran, May 18

By Geneive Abdo
Iran Analyst, The Century Foundation

In the final days before Iran’s June 12 presidential election, the leading contenders are using a mix of old and new campaign techniques, including social networking sites like Facebook, to win over a powerful but elusive constituency – the country’s university students.