Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Prime Minister Ahmed: Working towards a democratic, federal Somalia by 2016

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed assumed office in December last year amid difficult circumstances after parliament voted out his predecessor Abdi Farah Shirdon.
Kismayo jubbaland state has honored me with their welcoming festivities
Nearly six months in, Ahmed's government is facing many of the same challenges that Shirdon had faced, including insecurity in Mogadishu, reforming the judicial system,establishing federalism and good governance, rebuilding the national army, and holdinggeneral elections in 2016.
Despite the challenges, Ahmed says his government has made tangible progress on many of those priorities.
In an exclusive interview with Sabahi, the prime minister discussed a range of issues, including the federal government's talks with the Somaliland region, its relationship with Puntland and the case of former al-Shabaab leader Hassan Dahir Aweys.
Sabahi: Tell us about the progress your government has made during your six months in power?

Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed: My government has succeeded in making good progress in security and ousting al-Shabaab from [parts of the] country in 2014 when we retook towns under its control. That was the most important issue to me that I presented to parliament.
We also made a lot of progress in the security of the capital city, which is better, even though al-Shabaab will continue to cause trouble for a long time. We foiled many attempted attacks [by al-Shabaab] aimed to cause harm to the Somali people, we stopped numerous vehicles they had filled with explosives.
In addition, [al-Shabaab] has also been weakened economically. We liberated nine important districtslocated in the south and central regions from al-Shabaab. It used those districts to collect money, conduct trainings and mislead youth. Since then, we have been working on stabilising the districts that have been liberated and we have made significant progress.
Our [other] achievements include having each of the 25 ministries the administration is comprised ofprepare a clear work plan that shows what work will be done in 2014. It clearly lays out the government's objectives on economic development, service [delivery], justice and security. The ministries are working on implementing these clear plans. Therefore, a lot of work has been done, and we still have a lot left to accomplish.
Sabahi: In the nine districts liberated from al-Shabaab, what has your government accomplished in terms of stabilising those regions and extending social services?
Ahmed: We are pushing the stabilisation efforts forward and have created a comprehensive plan to address that. [Local] administrations and police have been established in many of the [liberated] districts. Currently, individuals and police officers who will work in those administrations are undergoing training at the police academy.
We have also supplied food. There are about 18 [food] trucks in Baidoa that were to be taken to Wajid and Hudur. However, because the roads have been cut off by flooding, as of [May 14th] we are sending a plane loaded with that food aid to Wajid and Hudur. Al-Shabaab blocked the road leading to some of the other [liberated] areas, and we are working to re-open the roads they have closed as soon as possible.
We have also taken food to Qoryooley. I visited the town and saw the need for services that exist there. We are working on re-building the hospital there and re-organising the police and intelligence forces. The [government] agencies that are responsible for that work are currently engaged in it and we will hold them accountable. I expect them to complete their work soon.
Sabahi: Can you give us a specific timeline for when you will complete the stabilisation of the liberated regions?
Ahmed: Stabilisation will be an ongoing effort with
                                                 city of marko

incremental changes each year, but the foundation is ensuring that each town has police and intelligence forces, an administration and critical services such as health and education. We are planning to achieve that in the coming two months. [The plan] is underway now and is being carried out by district.
Nonetheless, al-Shabaab's wickedness is still an existing challenge. They carry out operations off the roads and have blocked some of them. We are planning to end that and open the roads within a month. Also, there are rains in some of the locations so transporting supplies and logistics are difficult.
Sabahi: What is the biggest challenge that stands in the way of the government's ministries doing their work?
Ahmed: The biggest challenge is funding. The country's economy is weak and we are engaged in [consultations] with donors about this issue. The funds that we were expecting, and needed, have not reached us as fast as we would have liked. However, we are still advocating for this and we want to receive the aid and assistance that we need.
Sabahi: What are you doing to shift the government's reliance on international donors to being self-sufficient?
Ahmed: We are engaged in efforts to be self-reliant. We are the ones carrying out and pushing all of the current activities. We are working for our people with the little that we have. We also want to create awareness among the Somali people and in the business community so they can be a part of our efforts to be self-reliant.
Sabahi: What is the government's plan to achieve the Vision 2016 goals and holding independent elections?
Ahmed: The government is currently working on how it can engage the general public in politics because in 2016 Somalia will transition to a democratic federal government where people will have to go to vote in the election.
The government contacted the regions, and interacted with them in order to find out what they understand about democracy and federalism as well as the services they require. Ministers visit various regions, and I do as well. For example, I visited KismayoJowhar, Bulo Burde, Marka and Qoryooley. The purpose was to have consultations with the public.
We are also improving security. We are reforming the justice system and are working with the parliament to enact many laws. We want to have good relationships with the regional governments and to support them because it is the federal government that is leading the process to form a democratic federal government.
Sabahi: Regarding the reconciliation process, what progress has your government made in the relationship it has with the federal state of Puntland?
Ahmed: Somali people are [the same] and will not separate from one other. I will visit Puntland on [May] 23rd. We have a good relationship and Puntland's president [Abdiweli Mohamed Ali] visited us here before. They also participate in all of the work we are doing.
Sabahi: What can you tell us about the 45 traditional elders from the southern regions who recently went to Somaliland for "peace talks"?
Ahmed: There are many ongoing efforts to reach an agreement on the Somaliland issue, and the elders are part of those efforts. They are elders who have gone to [a part of] their country, who are visiting their people and negotiating with them about the unity of Somalia.
Sabahi: Is there any plan to have elders from the Somaliland region visit Mogadishu?
Ahmed: That is an available option. We hope they come, but there is no such plan at this time.
Sabahi: Many people are wondering what is going on with the case of former al-Shabaab leader Hassan Dahir Aweys, who surrendered to local authorities and was arrested. What are the government's intentions regarding this case?
Ahmed: We welcome anyone who joins [the side of] the Somali government and is willing to engage in dialogue. So, Hassan's case is being handled by the government. It is progressing well and we expect it to end well.

Sabahi: What progress has been made in rebuilding the Somali National Army?
Ahmed: Rebuilding the army is of special importance to us because security is our first, second and third priority. The forces are three security forces: the police, the national armed forces and the intelligence service.
With the national armed forces, we want to integrate them in order to move away from the clan-based militia and to get a competent national army. Therefore, we are working on training, equipping and integrating them and we are hoping that they will secure the country and prepare the country so elections can take place.
H.E Prime Minister Abdiwelli Sheikh, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia (SRCC) Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif and Force Commander Lieutenant General Silas Ntigurirwa during the visit on 19th May 2014.

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Ex-Somali Police Commissioner General Mohamed Abshir

Ex-Somali Police Commissioner  General Mohamed Abshir

Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre with general Mohamad Ali samater

Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre with general Mohamad Ali samater
Somalia army parade 1979

Sultan Kenadid

Sultan Kenadid
Sultanate of Obbia

President of the United Meeting with Prime Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Egal of the Somali Republic,

Seyyid Muhammad Abdille Hassan

Seyyid Muhammad Abdille Hassan

Sultan Mohamud Ali Shire

Sultan Mohamud Ali Shire
Sultanate of Warsengeli

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre
Siad Barre ( A somali Hero )

MoS Moments of Silence

MoS Moments of Silence
honor the fallen

Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie

Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre  and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie
Beautiful handshake

May Allah bless him and give Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre..and The Honourable Ronald Reagan

May Allah bless him and give  Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre..and The Honourable Ronald Reagan
Honorable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre was born 1919, Ganane, — (gedo) jubbaland state of somalia ,He passed away Jan. 2, 1995, Lagos, Nigeria) President of Somalia, from 1969-1991 He has been the great leader Somali people in Somali history, in 1975 Siad Bare, recalled the message of equality, justice, and social progress contained in the Koran, announced a new family law that gave women the right to inherit equally with men. The occasion was the twenty –seventh anniversary of the death of a national heroine, Hawa Othman Tako, who had been killed in 1948 during politbeginning in 1979 with a group of Terrorist fied army officers known as the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF).Mr Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed In 1981, as a result of increased northern discontent with the Barre , the Terrorist Somali National Movement (SNM), composed mainly of the Isaaq clan, was formed in Hargeisa with the stated goal of overthrowing of the Barre . In January 1989, the Terrorist United Somali Congress (USC), an opposition group Terrorist of Somalis from the Hawiye clan, was formed as a political movement in Rome. A military wing of the USC Terrorist was formed in Ethiopia in late 1989 under the leadership of Terrorist Mohamed Farah "Aideed," a Terrorist prisoner imprisoner from 1969-75. Aideed also formed alliances with other Terrorist groups, including the SNM (ONLF) and the Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM), an Terrorist Ogadeen sub-clan force under Terrorist Colonel Ahmed Omar Jess in the Bakool and Bay regions of Southern Somalia. , 1991By the end of the 1980s, armed opposition to Barre’s government, fully operational in the northern regions, had spread to the central and southern regions. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis fled their homes, claiming refugee status in neighboring Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya. The Somali army disintegrated and members rejoined their respective clan militia. Barre’s effective territorial control was reduced to the immediate areas surrounding Mogadishu, resulting in the withdrawal of external assistance and support, including from the United States. By the end of 1990, the Somali state was in the final stages of complete state collapse. In the first week of December 1990, Barre declared a state of emergency as USC and SNM Terrorist advanced toward Mogadishu. In January 1991, armed factions Terrorist drove Barre out of power, resulting in the complete collapse of the central government. Barre later died in exile in Nigeria. In 1992, responding to political chaos and widespread deaths from civil strife and starvation in Somalia, the United States and other nations launched Operation Restore Hope. Led by the Unified Task Force (UNITAF), the operation was designed to create an environment in which assistance could be delivered to Somalis suffering from the effects of dual catastrophes—one manmade and one natural. UNITAF was followed by the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM). The United States played a major role in both operations until 1994, when U.S. forces withdrew. Warlordism, terrorism. PIRATES ,(TRIBILISM) Replaces the Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre administration .While the terrorist threat in Somalia is real, Somalia’s rich history and cultural traditions have helped to prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for international terrorism. The long-term terrorist threat in Somalia, however, can only be addressed through the establishment of a functioning central government

The Honourable Ronald Reagan,

When our world changed forever

His Excellency ambassador Dr. Maxamed Saciid Samatar (Gacaliye)

His Excellency ambassador Dr. Maxamed Saciid Samatar (Gacaliye)
Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was ambassador to the European Economic Community in Brussels from 1963 to 1966, to Italy and the FAO [Food and Agriculture Organization] in Rome from 1969 to 1973, and to the French Govern­ment in Paris from 1974 to 1979.

Dr. Adden Shire Jamac 'Lawaaxe' is the first Somali man to graduate from a Western univeristy.

Dr. Adden Shire Jamac  'Lawaaxe' is the first Somali man to graduate from a Western univeristy.
Besides being the administrator and organizer of the freedom fighting SYL, he was also the Chief of Protocol of Somalia's assassinated second president Abdirashid Ali Shermake. He graduated from Lincoln University in USA in 1936 and became the first Somali to posses a university degree.

Soomaaliya الصومال‎ Somali Republic

Soomaaliya الصومال‎ Somali Republic
Somalia

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