And so off to Rome, for the 22nd meeting of the International Contact Group (ICG) on Somalia, where together with colleagues from London and the British Office for Somalia, we will join the UK delegation headed by our Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham MP.
The ICG is the latest – and last – in a series of international meetings this year before the end of the Transition in August. It’s an important opportunity for the members of the international community to join their Somali counterparts in reviewing progress on the political process. It is also an important opportunity for us to reiterate our collective determination and commitment to ensure that the Transition ends in seven weeks’ time in accordance with the conclusions reached at both the London and Istanbul Conferences.
More importantly, it’s an opportunity to ensure that the Transition ends in accordance with the agreements reached through the Roadmap and the Garowe process. And it’s an opportunity for Somalia’s leaders to restate their commitment to end the Transition: transparently, accountably and legitimately.
It’s vital they do. Just over a week ago in Nairobi, the various Roadmap Signatories agreed on a final draft of a provisional constitution, which will go the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) later this month. While this progress is welcome, as I said at the meeting in Nairobi: there is still much to do. The Signatories need to stick to their latest – and agreed – timetable for delivery, including opening the NCA on 12 July, selection of new MPs on 15 July and election of the Speaker and Deputies on 4 August, before the election of a new President on 20 August.
In theory, the path to the end of the Transition is now clear. In theory, it should be pretty straightforward.
The practice, though, may be a little harder. But with the right resolve, it is still possible. The UK, together with our international partners, is fully prepared to provide ongoing support – financial, political, technical. But only if that support is matched by political will.
So it is necessary that the Signatories now show the leadership and commitment that we all expect of them. By working together, by recognising that this is the best chance Somalia has had in over two decades to begin the path to greater stability – that chance can be seized.
Commitments from Somalia’s leaders to greater consultation, to political accountability and to financial transparency are now essential. They are commitments we want; most importantly, they are commitments the Somali people expect. Put simply, it’s time the Somali public were consulted on the draft Constitution; it’s time that the millions of dollars that Somalia’s leaders have access to we’re used for Somalia’s benefit – to help pay for Somalia’s security and its recovery.
Progress is being made – just look at what is happening – in Afgooye, in Beletweyne, in Baidoa. Security is slowing beginning to return to areas once dominated by Al Shabaab. TFG forces, in close co-operation with AMISOM, are slowly winning the battle against Somalia’s enemies. But winning the battle is one thing; winning the peace is another. That’s why helping those communities that have come under legitimate government authority is so important: peace-building, establishing safety and security, supporting the delivery of basic services. It’s why the UK and others are committed to ensuring those communities get the help and support they deserve, provided they are prepared to work with legitimate authorities. It’s why we are committed to securing greater financial transparency.
Getting this far has taken commitment. Going further – ending the Transition credibly and legitimately – will take leadership, will and commitment.
As I write this, it is Somalia’s Independence Day. As we start to gather in Rome, it’s time for Somalia’s leaders to commit to Somalia’s future and to the sort of Somalia its people wants. The opportunity for a brighter future is there. The opportunity to begin the long process of recovery is within grasp. They should take it.
As ever, I’d value your thoughts. What do you want from the Signatories at this stage? How can the process be made as transparent and accountable as possible? Ending the Transition is one thing. What succeeds it, is another. As ever, your comments are welcome.
Greetings
I am bit surprised the reason behind supporting a fake process that, if succeeded will reconnize further divisions and fragmentations of the Somali Republic and will grant absolute say on the future of Somalia on certain unti-union/reintegration elements who seem to hold levarage on the process.
Great Britain is aware of the inconveniences the ongoing constitutional process will result for Somalia and yet supporting the process. In my view, there is a hidden agenda behind all that that will only emerge if the Somali people are intemidated and forced to support and approve such alien process which nothing to do with Somalis.
Abu Abikar
Dear Ambassador, It’s high time to pull the Somalia file out of the shelves of the former Colonial Office in White Hall, and fast – August 20 is so close.
As the file will show the only functioning Somali institution is the clan system, and no single Somali individual can be seen as an institution, no matter how much cash or spin doctoring he/she is able to employ. Somalia is not like Mandela’s South Africa
Furthermore, the Americans made that serious mistake 2006 when they though the current president, Sheikh Sharif, can reign in the Shabaab after they intervened the Ethiopian offensive and took the Sharif into protective custody before installing him as the president. After he took the top job, the new president was unable to bring a single terrorist to his side, surprising the inexperienced Americans.
Somalia has only one hope: The traditional elders. Please protect them from the two Sharifs in order to put the Somalis on the right track to establish their first modern national institutions.
The International community, in my view, is doing its best to alter the situation in Somalia for better. You may disagree, but the truth is that the world is feeding the famine smitten people both inside and outside the country. International Community created peacfull environment in your capital city and furthering security level beyond. It is also providing financial and technical assistance to reconciliation, constitution making and organization of the electoral process. What more do you want it do? What you get is what you see and that is your leaders and politicians that were unable to come up with plausible procedures dispite all that support at their disposal. The International Community have every right to oversee the project that its funding and ask for deadlines to be met.
If Somalia is failled this time by its leaders, Somalia should be put under UN trasteeship, just like in 1949, with more time this time around.
Note: Somalia means former Trust Territory of Somalia
The Six signatories should not monitor or dictate to the clan elders. they should keep off the process. other-wise they gonna spoil the whole process because of their own interest. You tell the world they are signatories, and at the same time they are presidential candidates. almost all of them. that is direct rigging. you cannot ran ur own show. let the international monitors and an election l- commission from the somali nation be created to up-date and inform the world about the side shows of this weak politicians who dont want to lead their country.
Untill the international community tells the truth about democracy and good governance, to those in leadership now, then business will be as usual. Let all those corrupt leaders and politicians bring back all the money they looted, be it from public or donors fund. Other-wise any- one who occupies that office will continue the same way.
The other main problem is that, if the current institutions, are not respected how-ever weak they may be eg parliament , then all will be invain. all legislation must come through parliamentary process otherwise , if the leadership ignores the parliament then the rest will be history.
Because they must preach (international community) democracy and rule of law. other wise. the issue of the Six-signatories. while the by -passing a parliament of 550 mps created by the international community. then we see something is wrong some-where. But i hope this time round , the international community will view all the past mistakes and take a lead role in making the situation under-control.
I understood that the Ambassador analysis has one objective, which is the need of international community to succeed their effort to get rid off Alshabab. I had both optimistic and pessimistic view.
The international community and TFG lacks replacement or winning ideological argument. YES, You can win militarily from al-shabab but what replace their ideological!?.. I believe if Al-shabab had been defeated, the warlords & dormant clan-isms will come back and they will fill the vacuum. As current TFG has not thought any service except security service, and that is not the services which goverment has been assigned for. I hope i will not be pessimistic with my comment.!
There is a lot of hurdles, one of the main hurdle is the international interventions which one time they said international conferences in London and Istanbul is for somalis and they need to decide their future and another time the international dictate them what to do!
the success of international community you could bench mark by looking what has been achieved from the communiques of the 2 conferences and previous agreements of the road map.
The only 2 places which safe were punt-land and Somali-land. Now both are brink of failing. punt-land by piracy and Somali-land if they re-unite with failures of Somalia.
In saying all this The London conference was unique opportunity as it was 1st time Somali-land take part, which was breakthrough of British diplomats as they were aware was formal British protectorate. Although there were no outcome the dialogue between Somali-land and Somalia.
I hope i am not very optimistic this time!
Thanks again Ambassador Baugh,
We all agree I think the transition to end. The problem is what will take place after that. I think this constitution must be temporary in place till Somalis are free to write their own and make all the changes necessary. The unity of the country must be preserved. The secessionist administration in Hargiesa must be encouraged to join the process and to stop human right violation they are committing in some parts of Northern Somalia (my home town area.)
And we indeed need the international community to be involved more than ever in this transition period. I am almost sure, when Somalia comes back to life and system of government is in place, we will do fine. Pacifying the country and putting some system in place is the tricky part, maintaining and rebuilding will be easier I am sure.
Thanks again for your all inputs.
I apreciate your govt commitment to Somalia, First I bleive that the signataries are not represantative of Somali people, especially to ASWJ.
The represantative of ASWJ is not real represantative of ASWJ, coz the current member of signataries of ASWJ is the adviser of president of Somalia Sharif. The real ASWJ who fight against Alshabab and Alqaida more then TFG are the ASWJ in Central Somalia, the group liberated Dhusamareeb, Guricel, Matabaan, Caabudwaaq, Balanbal and Xeraale.
Second the signataries are mostly presidential candidate, its quite unrealistic candidates to control the election, the international community must act before its too late.
Third, Tradional Leaders are not all real one, its really very important to correct all real elders and its represantatives are included.
We prefer plan B than continuing with the socalled signataries.
The Somali traditinal elders can select all the 5 big tribes 2 represantatives then that committee can work ending transition, the 10 represantatives should be out of the somali govt.
For a smooth end to transition in Somalia: let’s prevent the elders are not corrupted. The two Sharifs should not be allowed anywhere near the traditional leaders in the run up to the election of members of Parliament, the Speaker of the Parliament and the President.
Dear Mr Ambassador
Thank you for your informative opening article reminding us all the good progress that STG and international partners made since London Conference and tough challenges still ahead as we celebrate the 52nd anniversary of Somali independence day. We are well aware that British government and other international partners played significant role and provided resources for the implementation process of the Roadmap plan. The international input improved transparency of the course and increased pressure on the signatories to compromise and work to preset targets.
Unfortunately internal problems in northern and central Somalia get less attention, less support and less exposure to scrutiny. This two track approach is disadvantaging Somali civilians in these regions especially in areas security and humanitarian assistance. While I fully support the support currently available to Somali communities in the south which they rightly deserve, an effort has to be made to build stability, representation and reinstating law and order in all parts of the country. This will give Somalis in different regions equal footing in after end of the transition period.
I think this olonization starting again. UK is selectively pursuing its foreign policies interest and neo-colonisim. I don’t think solutions imported from Imperialist land restores order in somalia. If you want peace in somalia leave up to the people of somalia and stop you guns and weapons.Somalia doesn’t manufucture guns but guns are everywhere.Solutions dictated by imperialist and their war mongers ally ship never restores order in somalia
I would like to share the thoughts of the U.K ambassador with you and I hope everybody will comment.For me its “All Wishful Thinking ” what the ambassador is saying.In Somali we say ‘fari kama Qodna” which means there is still a lot to do in idiomatic way or its just the beginning. To make short my comment there is an “Established Regimes” with its own Al-ittixad business Cartels,”puppet leaders”.warlords-drug-barons and military systems( intelligence,immigration and police force ) all loyal to the Powers running the show and allied to the Meles regime of Ethiopia..The problems of Somalia its not only Al-Shabaab-maybe the number one enemy-but all this other groups are part of the problem and would never(?)r accept a democratic,transparent and accountable State in Somalia.A state where the Rule of the Law is supreme and the people elects and chooses its own leaders.This emphasis on the transition is part of the deceiving game of this groups why they will came back and Rule after August and will continue to exploit and infringe on the basic rights of the Somali people citizens.Unless this groups face what we call ” International accountability” for their crimes against humanity and all the money and assets they stashed in Nairobi and Dubai is frozen/blocked and given back to the Somali people things will not change.This ruling/cliques/ elites who have the power in Hargheisa,Mogadishu and Garowe have the political support and assistance of regional powers , some Big powers and have unconditional political alliance with Ethiopia.They go to meetings for the last twenty years and have seen of all colors and deceived everybody posing as representative of Somali clan/communities and in general Somali people-citizens.Like every dominant group for a very long time they do not believe they could be replaced and they make/ believe the ‘masses” that they are the “only one” doing their Clan or sub-clans interests.They have reverted to use the Old methods of the Siad Barre regime that only loyalty to them is what is needed from the Bureaucracy and the Security services to be promoted and enrich themselves. By bringing a New Constitution is what the world is believing will change things in Somalia.They are totally mistaken and this Regime of Warlords-drug barons,Puppet leaders and Al-Ittixad business Cartels is not worried at all about this” so-called Constitutional order.” I will wait after August to see the world came to realize that the fight against Al-shabaab is the easiest part of the “liberation of Somalia” and the hard part is this anti-democratic forces which are themselves allied to Salafist/Jihadsit.Wait and see.
@ Wardigley
I think it is time Somalia and its people realize thier problems and stop blaming their neighbours for thier defects. Those you called the elites who have the power in Hargeisa are legitimate leaders who have the mandate of thier own people’s will and power by the ballot. Remember the ambassador says “As I write this, it is Somalia’s Independence Day(1st July). As we start to gather in Rome, it’s time for Somalia’s leaders to commit to Somalia’s future and to the sort of Somalia its people wants.” Hargeisa has its different Independence Day (26 June). Its neither part of the various Road Map Signatories agreed nor thier adoption of the final draft of a provisional constitution.
As a somali citizen, am really appreciative of the commitment and help offered to us by the international community.
As a student of undergraduate in IR, i often wonder and ask myself where my future will be. My country not only needs peace but a change in the political way of thinking and ideologies by some of our outdated and old politicians.
Kindly help the Somali youth graduates to take over from these tiring old minds and bodies. Let the youth rule Somalia with transpiracy and democracy. God bless you, cheers.
I wonder what part of the Ambasador’s peace these two commentors misunderstood. What does Mohamed Yousuf mean “let the youth rule” like UK is forcing Somalia to be ruled by one age group? What is preventing him from participating the political process? While he is revealing his current undergraduate studies in IR, is he asking the ambassador the permission to become engaged in his future? To simply answer your question, YOUR FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS AND YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN.