Prime Minister of Somalia’s statement at the UN Security Council Meeting on
Somalia – Wednesday 11 May 2011
 Mr. President,
Distinguished Ambassadors,
It gives me a great pleasure to appear before the Security Council today for
a third time since I took office November last year. During my last two
appearances, I have reported to you the achievements made by the
Transitional Federal Institutions, the challenges we face and the way
forward. I am delighted to continue that trend and once more provide you
the latest updates and the challenges we face at this critical time. I am also,
however, here to listen to the constructive views of the UN Security Council
members on how we can make progress beyond the Transition phase ending
in August this year.
As I previously mentioned in January and in March, my government’s five
main priorities have been improving security, enhancing reconciliation,
completing the transitional tasks (including the completion of our
constitutional process), addressing humanitarian crisis, and promoting good
governance.
Mr. President,
Let me begin by offering my heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation
once again for the ongoing support of the United Nations, the African Union
(AU) and the International community to Somalia. In particular, we are
exceptionally grateful to the young men and women from Uganda and
Burundi who make up the African Union troops and who offer the ultimate
sacrifice for the safety and security of the Somali people. We salute and
mourn those soldiers who died in Somalia. We offer our condolences to their
friends, families and assure them that their loss will not be in vain. Our
nation will be eternally grateful.
Mr President,
I am fully aware, that his Excellency, the Secretary General of the UN has
recently reported to you on the key developments in Somalia; however, let
me share with you our recent developments towards security. My
government continues to put the highest priority on security and as a result
our troops and AMISOM forces are currently making tangible progress in
reclaiming significant territory from extremist groups in Mogadishu. Our
troops are currently making visible progress in regions near the borders of
Kenya and Ethiopia. They are gradually recapturing key districts and towns
in Gedo and Jubba regions. In addition, The military offensive in the capital
city has been very successful. The centerpiece was the taking of the former
Ministry of Defense from the extremists, a strategic objective and one which
will prove a pivotal moment in this campaign. Ground is now being taken at
an increasing rate, especially around Bondere and immediately south of
Bakara Market in Howlwadag. Together, the TFG and AMISOM forces
continue to push the extremists further back each and every week. Such an
offensive must be properly sustained and logistically supported and we
implore the international community to step up their efforts in this area, so
that the gains can be consolidated and sustained.
We hope that the efforts of AMISOM forces in Somalia will show the world
that African countries can solve their problems regionally. We are immensely
grateful for the leadership of the governments of Uganda and Burundi and
we hope that other African leaders will also contribute to the cause of
bringing peace and stability to Somalia.
Mr. President,
Let me update you on the political developments in Somalia and once more
state in no uncertain terms that my Government is your committed and
credible partner in our efforts to stabilize Somalia. As you are all aware, the
Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) has unilaterally decided to extend its
term for 3 years. The Transitional Federal Government believes the
Parliament rushed to its decision without proper consultation among the
other TFIs, particularly when considered that the transitional period for the
TFIs shall end by August 2011. The International community has also
rejected the Parliament’s decision and raised both the legitimacy and the
political wisdom of the legislature’s approach. From TFG’s perspective, a
question of more practical importance is raised by the juridical relationships
that bind the Transitional Federal Institutions to both Transitional Federal
Charter and the 1960 Constitution. This has already occasioned differences
of opinion between the Legislature and Executive branch of the government.
It is the opinion of my government (the Executive branch) that under the
SIMUL STABUNT VEL SIMUL CADENT principle, the Transitional Federal
Institutions shall cease to exist as of August 2011. In other words, both
institutions are indissolubly connected from constitutional prospective.
We would have wished to avoid the current political crisis within the
Transitional Federal Institutions. True, my government (the Executive
branch) considers unconstitutional the behavior of the legislature for
extending its mandate for additional three years. The Legislature’s action is
inconsistent and in contravention with the Transitional Federal Charter and
the 1960 Constitution. Both state “The term of the Transitional Federal
Parliament shall not be extended and any amendment with regards to the
term shall not have effect with the tenure of the current legislature”.
Therefore, from the constitutional and legal perspectives, my government
believes the current Parliament does not have the constitutional mandate to
elect new President of the Republic. A post-August legally elected legislature
will be the legitimate Parliament to elect a President.
We believe it is the responsibility of the executive branch of the government
(TFG) to coordinate efforts of achieving an inclusive pre and post transitional
arrangements, which we were in the process of concluding. The President
of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has asked the Parliament to
reconsider its decision. The Speaker has so far rejected the President’s
proposition for decision with regard to the extension of Parliament tenure.
Mr President,
The most disturbing consequence of this situation is the descent into political
instability at precisely the time when the security situation is on the verge of
a breakthrough and governance is taking effective strides forward. I and my
government believe that, with such visible progress on the ground, this is
the worst possible time to be distracted by untenable election processes and
the divisive campaigning that will inevitably take place. The TFG also
believes that the diversion of focus from governance and security to election
campaigning will offer Al-Shabaab an opportunity it will take full advantage
of. We cannot offer these extremists such an open goal. It is our people,
especially our youth, who will suffer most.
Considered the state of war envisioned in article 68 of 1960 Somali
Constitution, the TFG has discussed the issue at great length with all
stakeholders, and therefore, we have proposed to the Parliament and to our
international partners to consider extending the mandate of the Transitional
Federal Institutions for additional 12 months. The nation is at war with
internal and external extremist forces and with a debilitating issue of piracy.
The state of war envisioned in article 68 clearly provides extraordinary legal
mandate for the Legislature and for the Executive branch to manage
collectively the war efforts with exceptional powers, and therefore to allow
the current progress to take hold and develop.
We believe that a further 12 months of political stability and security
progress will create a chance for real and fair elections in which potentially
the public can take part. This is our ambition and must surely be yours too.
We believe this is in the wider interests of the Somali people. The question is
how the TFI could secure legitimacy without undermining current progress
with regard to security, stability and war efforts. We believe that the UN
Security Council has role to play by upholding international legality. The
Somali people and the international community could not accept an Act by
the Parliament that is clearly in violation of the (Somali) Constitution, which
is a unilateral extension of its tenure.
Mr President,
In order to move forward I have appointed a ministerial committee, chaired
by myself and requested the Parliament meet with us in order to settle our
differences amicably and find an acceptable and mutually agreed consensus
on the way forward. We are still hopeful that the parliament will agree to a
consultative meeting between the two institutions. As TFG has always
believed the best way to solve our issues is to hold dialogue among Somalis,
and we ask for your support in giving us the space and time to find our own
political settlement.
As you are all aware, the TFG did not participate in the consultative meeting,
organized by the Special Representative for the UN Secretary General to
Somalia Dr. Augustine Mahiga, in Nairobi last month. The TFG greatly values
the role of the SRSG, the UN and our key international partners. However,
we believe that consultative meetings should be held inside Somalia and that
Somalis should take the lead. We simply wished our voice to be heard.
The TFG has long intended to hold a consultative meeting among all our
stakeholders in Mogadishu and we have set the dates for this to take place
from 11 – 16 June 2011. I am very pleased to report to you that Dr
Augustine Mahiga has welcomed this meeting and has agreed the UN to
sponsor it. I have assigned a ministerial level committee to organize this
meeting in consultation with the SRSG and all key stakeholders. We are very
grateful Dr Augustine Mahiga’s commitment and the excellent work to bring
peace and stability in Somalia.
Mr President,
I would also like to report to your Excellencies, that support from the Somali
people is growing and they are fully behind these security successes. We are
very grateful for this, as it is the first time in decades for a Somali
government to receive such support from the people and this has come due
to my government’s steady efforts towards the delivery of services and good
governance. We also know that civil society groups are beginning to mobilize
and gaining the confidence to make their voices heard.
I offer you three tangible examples of improving service delivery from the
past two months. My government has, with donor support, and assistance
from AMISOM, opened a new hospital: Martini Hospital has a total capacity
of around 500 beds, and is already starting to treat and care for injured TFG
soldiers and civilians with a range of illnesses and injuries.
My government has taken over the running of a school attached to the newly
established Jaziira military training camp on the outskirts of Mogadishu.
Again, with AMISOM’s assistance, this school had been established for local
children and those of soldiers in training.
My government has also established two other schools in Mogadishu to care
for orphans and those whose parents are too poor to care for themselves.
We have around 400 children receiving food, shelter and elementary
education.
The most exciting symbol of change, however, is the emergence of private
property renovation and property investment. It may now just be confined
to the road between K4 and the airport, but a new five floor hotel is being
built, houses are being repaired, windows restored and roadworks
undertaken. This is the surest sign of public confidence, as no private
individual will spend their money if they think their efforts will return to
rubble.
In addition, as I previously reported to the council, my government
continues to provide service delivery to its people, such as street cleaning,
repairing roads, street lighting, improving justice system, promoting human
rights, and giving sense of hope to our citizens. We have recently relaunched
our first National TV and National Newspaper called Dalka.
Mr President,
As I previously mentioned we are in the first line of defense against two
evils, the scourge of piracy and the plague of terrorism. We feel that the
pressure and the war against terrorism must be intensified until we eliminate
all extremists on our soil. In light of the killing of Osama Bin Laden, my
government has declared a state of high alert, due to credible information
that Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabaab are planning revenge attacks, which could
endanger or kill innocent people. On 7 May 2011 Al-Shabaab Spokesperson
confirmed planning revenge attacks and stated that they will intensify their
terrorism activities. We need to defeat these aggressors at their source and
this needs strong political will, cooperation and collaboration from us and
resilient commitment and support from the international community. We
have to understand that the root cause and breeding ground of both
terrorism and piracy is lawlessness coupled with poverty and unemployment.
As I previously reported to your Excellencies, the scourge of piracy cannot
be defeated in the high seas. Its solution lies with bringing back the rule of
law on land in Somalia. We are very grateful for the work carried out by Jack
Lang, the UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on legal issues related to
piracy, which has highlighted the urgent need to establish effective judicial
capacity for piracy trials. My government believes these courts should be in
Somalia. My government strongly welcomes this and believes if the country
has strong national government with effective coast guards within a secure
EEZ we can help to reduce or even stop piracy. The Transitional Federal
Government is grateful for the operations of the EUNAVFOR and many other
international navies in our seas.
My Government has started working with the UN agencies in regards to the
stabilization and reconstruction of new areas coming under the control of the
TFG both in Mogadishu and in the regions. This is very important and needs
urgent support and attention from the international community.
Another area in which we desperately need assistance is DDR. We have
witnessed a high level of young people defecting from Al-Shabaab. We do
not have resources to provide the array of facilities, training and care to help
them recover, resettle and rehabilitate their lives. The stories that we are
getting from these young people are shocking and it requires not only
commitment but leadership from the International Community so that we
can win the war on terror not only by force, but by educating our young
people and providing them the hope that they have been waiting for a very
long time.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, we are gradually but effectively winning the support of the
Somali population. My government is determined to help our people and I
can assure you of our commitment to them and to you. The interest of our
nation and our people must come first. We know that we, the Government,
must work tirelessly to meet the expectations made of us and lead by
example in a transparent and effective governance manner. Defeating
extremists from Somalia requires the same level of commitment to that of
Afghanistan and Iraq. We will do everything it takes to regain our status as a
functioning state that protects its citizens, ends all forms of international
piracy and extremism, promotes good governance, and produces a nation at
peace with itself, and its neighbors.
I would like to conclude with Secretary General’s comments in his recent
report on Somalia: “The international community must keep its end of the
bargain,” he states. “The Transitional Federal Government urgently needs
assistance for Mogadishu’s stabilization, recovery and reconstruction. If we
reinforce the military gains, provide humanitarian relief and achieve political
progress, we can set Somalia on course to greater stability and peace. If we
fail, we risk a growing humanitarian crisis, a deteriorating security situation
and a worsening threat to regional peace and stability.”
Thank you.
Source: Office of the prime minister, May 11, 2011
PRIME MINISTER SPEECH UNSC MAY 11.2011
Faafin: SomaliTalk.com | May 11, 2011
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