The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the international community will not extend Somalia’s Transitional Government’s mandate after the August deadline.The Secretary of State was speaking at the opening of the Somali conference in London where world leaders were discussing on finding peace and ending threats of terrorism and piracy.“Time is of the asset, and I want to be clearer, the international community will not support an extension of the TFG’s mandate beyond the date said in the roadmap-August 20th”, said Clinton.She said the goals they expect to achieve under this timeline are ambitious, adding that the people of Somalia have waited many years, heard many promises and have seen many promises come and go.Clinton said the time has ripped “to buckle down and do the work that will bring stability to Somalia for the first time in many people’s lives.”Clinton, whoever, made clearer position of the United States regarding people trying to disrupt efforts to stabilise the country.“The position of the United States is straight forward; attempts to obstruct progress and maintain the broken status-quo will not be tolerated” she added.Hillary Clinton said the U.S will encourage the international community to impose further sanctions including travel bans and asset freezes on people inside and outside the TFG who seek to undermine Somalia’s peace and security or the political transitionClinton was among the world leaders meeting in London to discuss the future of the Somalia, including how to help tackle piracy, civil war and famine.At the start of the conference, Hillary Clinton announced an extra $64m in aid for the Horn of Africa, saying Somalia’s people deserved to see international promises kept
US considering sanctions on Somalia ‘spoilers’
The US is mulling the possibility of imposing sanctions on “spoilers” blocking political progress in Somalia, a US official said Wednesday on the eve of a London conference to address the country’s troubles.“We would contemplate imposing both travel restrictions and visa bans on individuals who serve as spoilers in the political process,” the senior US State Department official told reporters under the cover of anonymity.
These sanctions could involve officials within the Somali transitional government (TFG), he added.“We are saying very clearly that individuals who undermine political progress” towards the implementation of basic structures intended to replace the TFG by August “should be held accountable,” he stressed.“We have indicated (this) in various discussions with TFG officials and also with other Western partners,” he added.Another US official said sanctions are likely to be discussed at the London conference, which has already kicked off on Thursday.Source: AFP
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