Somalia: Reflections on 2011, Focus on 2012

54 comments on “Somalia: Reflections on 2011, Focus on 2012”

1. The problems facing Somali Jereerweyne Community (Somali Bantu people): .

   Our Apeal:

   In light of what we have described above we would like to request from International Community, IGAD, AU, UN, EU, OIC in particular the Government of Great Britain which hosting the London Conference to assist us in the following areas.
   1. Our Political rights in Somalia are recognized and realized with the intervention by the international community.
   2. Enable us in taking parts in Political, and social reconciliation conferences for Somalia
   3. be aware that none of other Clans in Somalia would represent us
   4. Enable us Educational opportunities, as our people was given no opportunity and chances for education in Somalia
   5. Protect our people from killing, ribbing and other brutal acts
   6. Ensure our community for the relief supplies through their local NGOs.
   7. Ensure our right presence in Somalia
   Yours
   Dr. Adan Hagi Ibrahim
   Member of TFP
   Former Minister of Health TFG
   Tel: +252 615 447 508
   Dr_adan@hotmail.com

2. I wish to share with you this comment, if Jarerweyn would participate the conference, i would be so much appreciated. i encourage them to reveal all they are suffering loyally and be united in terms of the meeting one voice not differently. For me i have already submitted my contribution towards the conference which i am sure none of them could answer.

   thanks

   Warmest regards,

   Omar Ibrahim Mohamed

   Jarerweyn activist

   Cell: +254 712165070

3. Reconciliation Peace Committee of Jarer Weyne Clans

   Ref: 001/GNM/2012 Date: 05__/ 02__/__2012

   TO: ALL THE WORLD COMMUNITY IN THE UN/AU/AMISOM/IGAD/ICARAB/ARAB LEAGUE/ISLAMIC WORLD/AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL/UN SPECIAL REPRESETATIVE TO SOMALIA/

   CC. the president of Somalia
   CC. the Somali Parliament
   CC. the Somali National Justice
   CC. Somali traditional leaders/Religious leaders/and Somali intellectuals
   CC. Somali civil society institutions

   We, “Reconciliation Peace Committee of Jarer Weyne Clans”, render our greatest valuable complements to the above all local and international institutions.
   after having noticed, discriminations and reiterated what is called 4.5 (four point five), plundering of Jarerweyne property, the meaningless killings as well as the looting of Jareerweyne agricultures, which all violates the Islamic Sharea and the International Laws and Human rights norms, the Jarerweyne politicians, Sultans, Malaqs, tribal chiefs, intellectuals, philosophers, religious men, women, and youth
   they have decided to the following articles.
   1. To establish or nominate a committee that can solve the above mentioned atrocities, this committee was given the name “Reconciliation Peace Committee of Jarer Weyne Clans”
   GUDIGA NABADEYNTA IYO MIDEYNTA BEELAHA JAREER WEYNE
   that committee consists of 25 (twenty five members) who have been selected from the Sultans, intellectuals, women and religious men of Jarerweyne people will have the responsibility to:

   1. Reconciliation and the unity of Jarer weyne
   2. Seek and advocate any deprived political, economical, social privilege and rights for Jarereweyne people
   3. Advocate and find out their property both looted and confiscated
   We verify to the concerned agencies that Somalis are Muslim, and its population is locally divided into JAREER and JILEEC, or in other words Agriculturists and Pastoralists, (Settled people and Moving people), without having a valid statistics for Somali people, there is no Somali tribe that can claim the dominance unless they meant to be armed, to have destroyed the nation, and now rejecting peace. Really, this power thirsty manner created “deprivation of the rights of some people” We also want to prove that in Somalia there are vast prejudice and racial discrimination against Jarerweyne people that can be noticed in the structure of the TFG.

   Therefore, the above mentioned incidents and those recently fabricated in Garowe can lead new complex altercations, there is a Somali Sayings
   “nin dharbaaxo quureed dugsaday dhaqayadeed maalyeey,
   dhashaadey sugtaa xajadaad dhowrataa abad”

   Literally meaning that a man who does not solve today’s whack against him may thus pass to his offspring tomorrow.

   APPEAL

   we appeal to all internal and external Jarerweyne Sultans, intellectuals, religious men, Chieftains, women and youth in general to unite and advocate for their rights as Almighty Allah told us “hold the robe of Allah” because Allah told the benefit of unity and the loss of disarray.

   Acknowledgements

   We all thank to the committee that sponsored the meeting, international donors, in particular Turkey that played unforgettable role in rescuing Somali people who suffered a lot.
   Our address can be found the Email below.
   Reconciliation Peace Committee of Jarer Weyne Clans

   Sheikh Muktar Abdi Roble

4. No Faisal D not a native rather comedian pretending the benefits of Somaliland’s independent processed history and knows recognition of Somaliland by the super powers on previously UK request in DOOR..

5. I HOPE SOMALIA THE BEST AND I CAN’T WAIT WHEN THE DAY CAMES WHEN SOMALIA BECOMES A NATION ON ITS FEET. ONE DAY AFTER THAT, THE TOUGH PART WILL START. FULL SCALE WARE BETWEEN SOMALIA AND SOMALILAND, JUST LIKE THE ONE WHICH WAS HAPPENED FOR A DECADE AND REACHED ITS PEAK IN 1988. THE ONE THAT RESULTED SOMALIA TO DHIMINISH. HISTORY WILL BE REPEATED IF THE BRITHISH CONTINUES THIS ATTITUDE TOWARD SOMALILAND.

6. Dear Matt Baugh,

   First and foremost I have to express my gratefulness towards United Kingdom and it”s lovely people for hosting London Conference on Somalia
   on February 23, 2012.
   I am sure the outcome will be positive; provided all old ferderal states and
   recently announced ones, like Khaatumo State and Awdal State are
   invited to participating the Conference.
   To cut the matter short the Somali people have still to learn respecting each other but strangely enough they give audience to Non-Somalis.

   Best Regards
   Mahad Farah / Awdal State of Somalia

   1. Matt I appreciate that you give us an ipportunoty to voice our opinions.I think this is a great ipportunoty and hope giving support for Somalipeople who had been through suffering and devastating situation in over two decades that the UK government calls to host a conference aiming to end the aimless continued war and insecurity. I personally have good faith like many other Somalis that the UK government is capable to promote an ever lasting peace in Somalia. However, the UK government should be aware that the essence of Somali problems are complex and difficult to understand while you watch the behaviour of Somali people who divides among themselves in tribal systems and the lack of united consensus among them, I could imagine how difficult it is for those countries who are trying to mediate them. But, I believe that the UK government can find solutions for many complex issues by using its historical and traditional links that it has had with the Somali people and the rest of the world. I would like to suggest that the conference addresses the essence of Somali problem which are:•Lack of power and involvement of the civil society including respected elders•Bodies or group who claim to represent Somalia/regions of Somalia through tribal hierarchy but however, they do not have terms of reference meaning that there is no proper legal system regarding what they claim.• Lacks of capable leaders who are able to understand their roles and responsibilities•Lack of basic functioning institutions such as judiciary, trained police force that is responsible to maintain law and order•Lack of educated work force and civil servants•Many moreI hope the conference will provide a platform for Somali’s who would like to have their say in the future of their country. Furthermore, I would suggest that you invite Somali Diasporas from the UK, because the Somali Diaspora supports their people in Somalia constantly and will continually support any peace and stability effort aimed at restoring peace and security in their homeland.Just a quick question: how many days will the conference be running??Abdikayf Bashir FarahLeicester City NHS Health Trainer / Community workerBsc(Hons.)

7. Hi matt,
   Am a somali who live in Dadaab camp i really appretiate and welcome the reconciliation conference to be held in U.K i have read some of the agenda’s via somali websites they were good and based on facts. What matter is “ROAD MAP” and “SOMALILAND RECOGNITION”. Most of us heard about the road map but we don’t really know what the roadmap contain i mean issues such as; re-measure of the waters of somalia to EEZ which was under UN chatter recognized as Territorial Waters and if that happens the conflict will continue for a century and beyond. Somaliland recognition may also further enemity of somali people to U.K since somaliland will be a common wealth country may make the situation worse. Issue of piracy and extremism is tangible and can only be solved if the country gets centralized gvt. I heard also French gvt concerned on somali issues and are adding agenda’s to the previous U.k agenda’s hopefully we wait and welcome the conference if it doesn’t contain hidden agendas that can make things worse.

8. AS the London Conference on Somalia approaches on the 23th Feb. I am still wondering if this conference will be different the ones we have had in the past 20 years. it is not clear who will be the Representatives of Somalia society and have the mandate. it is ambiguous how the long period of brutal conflicts and mistrust among Somalia could be solved. what the role of international community would be in general in particular the British. how any outcome of conference will be implemented and who has that mandate. I think it is not easy as it looks if this conference does not vary from previous ones which have been in vain. the most important step that needs to be considered is who has the full mandate of Somalia society who can speak in the name of Somalia as a whole. I hope this conference will be the same patterns we have had in the past i wish I am wrong but this is not the way as Somalia is expecting to happen the conference. we have already known that those have been invited to attend the conference cant represent Somalia people.

9. Greetings Mr Baugh,

   Regarding the planned LONDON CONFERENCE ON SOMALIA, February 23, 2012,

   We the Xisbiga shacabka somalia…(XSS) which translates to the peoples party of somalia would like to be invited and participate.

   We believe we have solutions that would bring peace,stability,progress and eradicate the suffering and poverty of the people and galvanise the Somali nation to rebuild the federal republic of somalia.

   Look forward to your response,

   AbdiFattah Igeh

10. Dear Matt,

    Thank you for making the Somalia crisis a priority both for your country and the rest of the world. We look forward to the outcome of the London Conference. In the mean time, we are organizing a conference on Somalia in Ohio, USA later this month and we would like a representative of the British government to participate. Can you? Below find conference details:

    Somalia at the Crossroads: Foreign Intervention, Humanitarian Crisis and Aspirations for Statehood

    The Ohio State University- Columbus, Ohio
    Hagerty Hall, 1775 College Rd
    Denney Hall 164 W 17th avenue

    January 27-28, 2012, 9:00AM-5:00PM

    This two-day conference will bring together some of the brightest minds in Somali affairs with the aim of deepening public discourse and understanding of the complex situation in Somalia and developing strong, pragmatic, and principled policy recommendations for, post-transition political development in Somalia. Issues discussed include the national roadmap, piracy, humanitarian crisis, frontline state military interventions, Diaspora remittance challenges and community development issues. Key presentations include:

    * Foreign Intervention, Humanitarian Crisis and the Quest for Political Stability in Somalia
    * U.S. Engagement in Somalia: Dual Track Policy Aims and Implications
    * Debunking the Roadmap: A Tool for Statehood or Death-knell for Disintegration?
    * Natural vs. Man-made: The Politics of Famine in the Horn
    * Post TFG Somalia: Political Parties and National Grassroots Movements as Clan Alternatives: Planting the Seeds for Sustainable Social and Political Institutions, and more.

    For additional details, contact: Mr. Jibril Mohamed (614)439-3034 or Jibril@SomaliCAN.org, Mr. Abukar Osman- Baalle (614) 769-8810 or Ms. Laura Joseph at OSU 614-292-8169

    Visit:

    http://www.Somalia.EventBrite.com

    for more information.

11. Firstly, I hope something tangible comes out of this conference for the benefit of Somalis firstly, and subsequently for the Int. Community for the burden Somalis have placed on affected states. I am however, not optimistic regarding a positive outcome. Somalis have been here before, 17 times.

    If you look at my native Somaliland, the foundations for peace were developed through meetings by elders under an acacia tree. This then led to to the Burao conference then the Borama conference declared the disarmament of the region and the rebirth of Somaliland. What can be noted here? This was a Somali instigated process, for Somalis by Somalis of Somaliland with absolutely no foreign interference whatsoever. Not even the journalists covering the events were foreign. I need not describe the positive state of affairs in Somaliland today.

    Southern Somalis can achieve peace, without attending lavish conferences in Western or African capitals and without the assistance of external entities . There just isn’t a competent leadership with the interest of its people at heart

    1. Totally agree with this comment.

12. I believe deeply in my heart that free education for young people in Somalia will be one of the main factors for peace.

    Since the start of the civil war there was no free education for children in the entire Somalia. Education is still what makes human think and do progress in life. One of many issues that the UK conference could adress is free education for all young people and specially for women.

    This is simply more books for young people than weapons. We should still remember that Somali women have the biggest resonsibilty in Somali home bringing up children and giving care to most of households in Somali today.

    I am sure that such social investment projects will bring better future prepareness for young people in Somalia in the near future.

    The UK conference should address this problem, it is ignorancy among young people which gives always the upper hand to those who want make trouble in Somalia and wants to challenge lasting peace.

    thank you.

13. I am sure Great Britain has what it takes to fix Somalia. It has the wherewithal and experience in coaching countries to self- sufficiency in governance and remarable prosperity. I can cite countries like Kong Kong, UAE, Canada and others. None of these success stories however include countries from Sub-Saharan Africa! I know you never said in any where that you would treat Somalia like the countries above but it is my take of things that nothing short of that would save or redeem Somalia. Mr. Baugh, are you in it for the long haul?

    1. Good Question. Please let me include this: What factors might effect Britain’s role in Somalia and how will Britain overcome them? i.e. The US sent its Rangers into Somalia in the 90s without looking the consequences it might bring and resulted complete chaos and withdrawal its troops.

       How far would Britain go in stabilizing the so-called failed state- Somalia?

14. First of all Mr. Matt…I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to you and the government of UK for hosting Conference on Somalia in London on 23 February. Most of the peace loving Somalis (besides) the spiolers welcomes your efforts to bring lasting peace and stability for the Somali people especailly those that need the peace most and the most volnurable.

    As Somalia re-establishes itself from decades of ruins, it is clear that Somalia would need an international assistance such as UK’s. Thank you for providing the much needed assistance to enable Somalia to become a stable nation again.

    1. Many thanks for your encouraging words.

15. I thank the UK government for finally taking the Somalia crisis seriously and I pray that the London conference be a success. But one thing I am profoundly worried about is, the question of Somaliland and how the London Conference on Somalia will approach it.

    A solution for Somalia without addressing the Somaliland issue is not a solution at all. Rather, it has the potential to export the instability which currently exists in Somalia (proper) to Somaliland. We can already see a spike of interclan fights in Somaliland and the proponents of Somalia’s Unity organising in London and other western capitals. For Somalilanders, the prospect of return to interclan wars and Mogadishu’s army rolling into their cities and towns is a nightmare.

    What many Somalilanders, like me, is asking for the organisers of the London Conference to address, is to preserve and protect the peace in Somaliland and also to come up with a roadmap for addressing the final status of Somaliland.

    Best Regards,
    JY

    1. Thank you.

       We are encouraged by progress in areas of relative stability such as Somaliland. We are keen to keep on supporting work n those areas, on health, education, employment and local governance. We will continue to build on our strong relationship with Somaliland and enhance cooperation in areas of joint interest. But please also see my other comments on Somaliland above.

    2. APPEALI am off the spotlight on Somalia. Women and men of a conutry steeped in history have been erased from the interest of public opinion. They remember them only when terrible tragedies tear the continent. It true. There is a sore Somalia in which life is made worse by war, tribal hatreds, ethnic, economic conditions impossible. There are millions of Somali refugees who, for political or economic reasons are prevented from returning to their homes. And derelict in Somalia, the people who have no homeland, no food, which is even robbed of their dignity’, Somalia does not count.But there is also another Somalia: those people who every day, amid enormous difficulties’, is the means and reasons for living. Somalia, poetry, art, music and dance. Somalia is proud of its roots and its culture: The company of Somalia organized civil knows, who knows how to resist the colonialists, the faction leaders to dictators, who insists, nonstante all, to design a different future.This intellectual Somalia living online can become a great laboratory research and testing of the new. Can be the cradle of a new strategic planning’. For this company to launch civil a great challenge in this new century is the year of reconciliation and peace in Somalia. The time that separates us from this date is, therefore, engaged in a great effort to achieve this goal.We turn to the United Nations and International Organizations in 2012, is declared the International Year of solidarity with Somalia. ChiediamoUfficio British Somalia is an international initiative promotes face to find a just solution to the Somali problem and to raise, in new terms, the development of Somalia. Launched a joint appeal to the European Union, the British Government, to the Holy See, the churches and to all humanitarian organizations and intellectuals to conflicts.Stop all traffic of weapons and increasing the number of peacekeeping missions and political mediation. We need, in fact, to enhance the lives of the Somali forces to establish a new covenant of understanding and cooperation and achieve peace.We ask the media to call the front page this forgotten part of the world. In all then, each according to their roles and responsibilities’, to mobilize for decent accommodations Somalia, which, through immigration, comes to live in the West, and to design ways of life, politics, economy and solidarity to return to the Somali people the dignity’ of which they were robbed.

16. I thank the UK government for finally taking the Somalia crisis seriously and I pray that the London conference be a success. But one thing I am profoundly worried about is, the question of Somaliland and how the London Conference on Somalia will approach it.

    A solution for Somalia without addressing the Somaliland issue is not a solution at all. Rather, it has the potential to export the instability which currently exists in Somalia (proper) to Somaliland. We can already see a spike of interclan fights in Somaliland and the proponents of Somalia’s Unity organising in London and other western capitals. For Somalilanders, the prospect of return to interclan wars and Mogadishu’s army rolling into their cities and towns is a nightmare.

    What many Somalilanders, like me, is asking for the organisers of the London COnference to address, is to preserve and protect the peace in Somaliland and also to come up with a roadmap for addressing the final status of Somaliland.

    Best Regards,
    JY

17. I thank and congratulate the UK gov and their prime minister for taking this bold step to host this conference.

    I and many other Somalis will be able to predict the success of this conference once we see the list of attendees.
    The current Mogadishu leadership (the president, the speaker and most of the MPs) are useless and hopeless to most of Somalis.

    My advice is to have two stage conference; one as planned in February and the second stage after August 2012 when Mogadishu will hopefully have a new president and a new speaker.

    The current PM and most of the current cabinet are works class scholars. The last PM, Farmajo and most of last cabinet members(Mohamed Oomaar included) are also world class intellectuals.

    Clearly there are abundant high quality Somali human resources available to Somalia. There is no reason why Somalis should be condemned to follow the leadership of two incompetent Sherifs who spend lots of time, energy and wealth fighting each other.

    1. Thanks for this view.

18. Thank you Mr. Matt Baugh.
    The only unlucky thing is that Somalis did not really get time to settle their differences and lookford to a better future than this. Stake holders were involved in the conflict ever since the first day of the Somali civil war 26 January 1991.
    Today people in Mogadishu see a little peace, but then out of nowhere Kenya is attacking the Juba region, with a significant number of civilian losses. It was back then when the then Islamic Courts make considerable peace in the entire region of South Somalia, although the Islamists were accused of harbouring terrorists. Ethiopia invaded Somalia killing officially more than 16 000 Soamlis and displacing one million people.

    Today, people asking them selves, why frontline countries attack Somalia once peace comes near?.

    What we hope for Somalia is that the people get real chance to work for peace and less forign intervention. In that sense Somalis can unite and defeat bad guys such al-shabaab and pirates. One can never control this from the ocean, it has to happen on the ground and by united Soamlia.

    1. Thank you for your opinion.

19. What is the british government stand on ethiopia and kenya creating buffer zones and proxy states which owe allengence to them instead of the tfg wouldn’t this hinder the peace process.

    1. Please see above for a link to our position on the Kenyan action.

20. Is time for united stand for somali people. What is the british government stand on succesionist state of somaliland in terms of recognition as pointed out by lord anderson of swansea

    1. Thank you for your question.

       Somaliland has made admirable progress in maintaining relative peace and stability and has set a positive example of democracy following the successful elections back in June 2010. We believe Somaliland can play an important role in enhancing security and development in the Horn of Africa.

       But to answer your question, we do not recognise Somaliland as an independent state; neither does the rest of the international community. Our policy has long been that the Somali people themselves should determine their future relationship and that their neighbours and other African countries should take the lead in recognising any new arrangements.

21. Matt I appreciate that you give us an opportunity to voice our opinions.

    I think this is a great opportunity and hope giving support for Somali
    people who had been through suffering and devastating situation in over two decades that the UK government calls to host a conference aiming to end the aimless continued war and insecurity. I personally have good faith like many other Somalis that the UK government is capable to promote an ever lasting peace in Somalia. However, the UK government should be aware that the essence of Somali problems are complex and difficult to understand while you watch the behaviour of Somali people who divides among themselves in tribal systems and the lack of united consensus among them, I could imagine how difficult it is for those countries who are trying to mediate them. But, I believe that the UK government can find solutions for many complex issues by using its historical and traditional links that it has had with the Somali people and the rest of the world. I would like to suggest that the conference addresses the essence of Somali problem which are:
    • Lack of power and involvement of the civil society including respected elders
    • Bodies or group who claim to represent Somalia/regions of Somalia through tribal hierarchy but however, they do not have terms of reference meaning that there is no proper legal system regarding what they claim.
    • Lacks of capable leaders who are able to understand their roles and responsibilities
    • Lack of basic functioning institutions such as judiciary, trained police force that is responsible to maintain law and order
    • Lack of educated work force and civil servants
    • Many more

    I hope the conference will provide a platform for Somali’s who would like to have their say in the future of their country. Furthermore, I would suggest that you invite Somali Diasporas from the UK, because the Somali Diaspora supports their people in Somalia constantly and will continually support any peace and stability effort aimed at restoring peace and security in their homeland.

    Just a quick question: how many days will the conference be running??

    Abdikayf Bashir Farah
    Leicester City NHS Health Trainer / Community worker
    Bsc(Hons.)

    1. Thank you for your comments. We will announce further details of the conference in due course.

22. many thanks to the UK government to your respond to the situation of humanitarian and politicaly of Somalia .

    1. Thanks for your comment.

23. In the near future when the goverment of Somali(Tfg) get enough police and milatry and neighbor feel save border, then i think Kenya will get back to their country. becouse we can not control our border now .i hope it will not take long time.

    1. I hope so too.

24. Sir,The somali people as well as any honest observer on somalia’s continued chaos knows that somalia’s neighbours primarily the EThiopian regime and latterly Kenya represent the biggest obstacle to peace in that country.Their entire policies towards Somalia are designed to further prolong the already protracted guagmire in somalia.Rather than pressure being put under these countries to stop meddling somalia’s internal affairs they are being rewarded for their detrimental policies towards Somalia . Extremism,piracy,and multitude of other criminalities are merely the consequence of the continued mayhem facilitated by Ethiopia and others.so are we serious this time to put an end to this calamity By Addressing this important aspect of the conflict?.

    1. We are keen to address the root causes of these negative symptoms too. The London Conference will address instability.

       1. Thanks for the reply matt:
          There is a huge potential for united kingdom to succeed in what looks intractable problem on the surface but can be overcome if the right policies are implemented.a country with often well-grounded policies Britain has the added advantage of having unrivalled knowledge about somalia and the Somalis.A shining example of the power of British diplomacy is the successful conclusion of the civil war in the west African state of sieraleone. Of course we don’t envisage British troops to be deployed in Somalia nor do we anticipate meles zenawi to find himself in the Hague. However, two things can in my view begin to remedy Somalia’s many problems of which terrorism and piracy are understandably the most unsettling for western policy-makers.
          1-A credible government probably led by the surviving members of modern somali state’s founding figures that can galvanise the nation.
          2- international solidarity with that government .
          It is common knowledge groups like al-shabab owe their servival to the dysfunctional TFG which most Somalis disdain. With credible government in place that people can identify with, and unified international support, we can safely say al-shabab’s life-expectancy would be very limited indeed.

25. Hi Matt,
    I really liked your blog and have very interesting points. Hopefully our somali leaders will adhere to the road map.With regards to london somali conference is any somali invited or only specific VIP.
    Thanks

    1. For the conference places will be limited. But we are looking into other ways for people to participate, such as through Twitter.

26. Thanks for the clarification, so we are supporting the Kenyan invasion, interesting.

    1. Congratulation for this post, that you’ve been nominated for you last year, and wish you all the best of luck and sccuess. Hope you’ll get more supportive..I am Somalian-British citizen,Somali think tank,Somali Analyst,Human Rights Activist,Journalist .I am concern about UK Somalia involvement do you know the real problems in somalia..Somalia is one of the poorest, most violent, least stable countries anywhere on Earth. It suffers from severe drought and its people face hunger and violence on a daily basis. This is not a new situation, Somalia, especially the south, has been in this state for many years. What is new is that the world is now once again concerned with the goings on of this collapsed state. Somalis have learnt to live in circumstances under which many might be expected to give up.In the face of overwhelming adversity they have created thriving businesses, operating entirely in the informal sector, and hospitals built and maintained with money sent home by the diaspora. However, people who have been forgotten by the world and who hear of toxic waste being dumped on their beaches and foreigners stealing their fish have difficulty being concerned when representatives of that world are held to ransom. And for many who have grown up surrounded by constant insecurity and bloodshed, violence and the risk of death are unexceptional hazards. For this reason the current attempts to fight piracy from the sea are only dealing with symptoms. They do not address the reasons why young men are prepared to risk their lives chasing ships around the ocean.Piracy is in essence a law and order issue, and in Somalia there is virtually no authority to carry out the kind of policing that could effectively disrupt pirate operations. What government there is in Somalia has bigger problems. The ongoing battle with the hard line Al Shabaab militia that controls Kismaayo and the deep south threatens not just the security of the state but has made Mogadishu one of the deadliest places on earthDo you think ypu can tackle all this problems..if you need any support or advices I amto support you and my British Government and Somali people..on my email

27. Mr Matt Baugh,
    There is nothing more blood boiling to the average somali than involvement from Ethiopia and Kenya (Front-line States). After all how would you like for the UK to be dictated to from Berlin. That is why you fought two world wars and still care to using your veto in Europe. The current UK and US policy of supporting decentralisation and tribal federalism originally sponsored by front-line states would drive the population into the hands of the extremist al shabab. The UK government should be supporting credible actors able to bring Somalis together. The current incompetent and highly corrupt TFG regime regardless of how much UK taxpayer funds are thrown at them will not go anywhere.
    Piracy and attacks on tourism in Kenya and the undermining of British interest can only be tackle by credible, competent and patriotic(not nationalist) regime in Mogadishu. If your policy supports regimes in the region actively working to counter such regime taking hold in Mogadishu then please stop wasting British taxpayers money.

    1. Thank you – we are keen to hear all views. I agree that it is primarily for Somalis to address Somalia’s crisis.

       1. Dear: Baugh

          I would like to thank the UK for attempting to address Somali problems. It is a great opportunity for what was formerly called Somalia and is now called Somaliland and Somalia.
          In order to get a solution the UK should consider why fourteen previous conferences ended in vain. It is clear that all previous conferences have generated new problems rather than developed strategies.
          These conferences have definitely ignored Somaliland’s existence and treated it as a part of Somalia that is why they ended without success. It is time the International Community corrected their mistakes which were made in the last conferences. If the UK wishes this conference to end in success it should respect Somaliland’s desire and focus to reconcile the South of Somalia must be respected , otherwise this golden chance will fail as did the previous ones.

          Yours sincerely.

28. There doesnt appear to be an official British position on the recent Kenyan military incursion into Somalia. In this post you flag pirates, terrorists and other criminals as the main causes of Somalia’s instability, what about Somalia’s neighbours (namely Kenya, Ethiopia and to a lesser extent, Eritrea) disregard for the country’s sovereignty?

    1. you mentioned gøod point,but we must united first in order to reach what we want,let us first tel our people in Somalia to help each other and stop killing in the name of islam,our boys they shouldnôt flow Eritrea or others .we have to look what couse all what is going on our home ,we need to avoid the civil war and to work together to get peace.so when we united and there is no Terrorists and pirates ,we can talk aboute sovereignty and devolpment ….

       1. January will mark the 21st of the civil war. Meaning 2decades of fighting and foriegn failed interventions. Trabalism hasn’t been the cause since 2004 when the first TFG was elected (by thenselves). UIC was reletively moderate by any definition and their downfall was advocating greater somalia which alermed ethiopia which recently has chinese investment for odagenia oil reserves which was the british governments error for giving it to them in the first place. This lead to the downfall of the UIC and was the nursing bed of the al shabab a violent criminal gang of fanatics. Kenya’s incursion is nothing but humanitarian and was long coming since 2009 when they asked the common wealth to lobby on their behalf to decrease somalia’s EEZ from 200 nm to just 12 so they cn exliot the oil from the lamu-kismayu basin. KEnya and ethiopia do not have the somali people best intrest which will give al shabab added propaganda to further recruit or conscript youth. Eritrea is another country that is derailing the peace process with arm shipments to al shabab. America has long had an eye on somalia’s gas reserves and potential oil fields. Iran is also accused of supplying weapons to al shabab in 2009 in exchange of urenium to further use it to enrich the nuclear program. And with david cameron having taste for african expeditions who knows britain’s stake in somalia. Franch oil company shell recently aqcuired 14 plots in lamu basin to explore for oil. UN organisations and employees for somalia based in nairobi are accused of doing nothing to stop the conflict as it ment they would lose their high paying salaries. 2011 saw the worst humanitarian disaster in modern history un fold in southern and central somalia. With US war on terror preventing NGOs from sending food to people in al shabab area to al shabab banning NGOs and conscripting farmers to UN flooding muqdisho market with food which made farmers lose income and stop doing their jobs and ofcourse the weather. If 2012 is the year the conflict ends in somalia this would only happen if the international community approach somalia honestly and without ulyterior motives.

          1. good points ,but who knows when they* will allow to the Un NGO to reach people who totally severing in south Somalia .my be we hope Uk and stake holders wil com new idea .

    2. Thank you for your comment. The UK position on the Kenyan action was laid out in the House of Lords on 8 November. Please read the full text here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/111108-0001.htm#11110870000754.

       1. Dear Mr. Baugh,

          I am keen to learn more about the UK’s position on Somalia, and the Conference on Somalia.

          Regards,

          Ms. Debra V. Wilson

          1. Then please keep reading this blog and our website (ukinsomalia.fco.gov.uk) and social media @ukinsomalia (Facebook and Twitter). Thank you.

    3. Dear Embassodor/UK GvernmentI would to comment about the The Somalia Economy,Somalia has a iglprssinury strong economy. Make no mistake the country is still quite poor but given that they have virtually no government they are doing remarkably well. Admittedly a large part of the income in the country is the result of criminal activity but there is also a remarkably strong informal economy. This is mainly based on agriculture but there are also a number of small scale industries being run. The bulk of Somalia foreign exchange comes in the form of remittances from Somalis working abroad, mainly in Middle East. Again this is quite an accomplishment given that there are no banks in the country. An informal banking sector has sprung up to handle these transactions. The Somalis have proven to be remarkably resilient.I can tell you that The majority of Somalis are working in the agricultural sector. This is mainly subsistence farming but livestock is one of the few exports from Somalia. Most of the livestock that they export goes to countries in the Middle East. The industry that does exist is almost all small scale and produces products that are sold at local markets rather than exported overseas. In a lot of ways Somalia may well be a model for how to build an economy in a very poor third world country. The total lack of government involvement has proven beneficial in a number of ways.Believe me or not,A iglprssinury strong area of the economy in Somalia is the telecommunications sector. The country has a iglprssinury strong infrastructure in this area and it has managed to survive all of the fighting. The result is that Somalia has one of the strongest telecommunications sectors in Africa. It is also possible to buy brand new high tech gadgets at the markets in Somalia. However most of these are stolen as a result of the piracy that is rampant in the area.Clearly the prospects for the Somali economy to grow are severely limited by the internal fighting and the total lack of a government. At some point they are going to have to move beyond the formal economy that they currently have. This is going to require them to become involved in international trade but that won’t happen unless there is a stable government. Since this looks unlikely to happen anytime soon Somalia is likely going to struggle along for many years to come. They have been remarkably resilient but clearly things need to change.Other countries in similar economic circumstances would be receiving large amounts of foreign aid. Somalia hasn’t been so lucky. The problem they have is the total lack of a government and the fact that foreign aid workers can’t safely enter the country has made this impossible. In many ways this makes the achievements of the Somali economy even more impressive. However this is another thing that is going to have to change if the country is ever going to get back on strong economic footing.Lets think about the somali economy

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