Nations declare support to Somalia

AP – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, left and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attend a news …

By SELCAN HACAOGLU, Associated Press Writer Selcan Hacaoglu, Associated Press Writer – Sat May 22, 1:48 pm ET

ISTANBUL – Dozens of nations pledged Saturday to help Somalia build a strong police and military, achieve peace and stability and eradicate piracy that has plagued international maritime trade.
The countries, meeting at a U.N.-sponsored conference for Somalia, said that strengthening law enforcement in the impoverished and lawless African nation was essential given the chaotic situation and deepening divisions among militant groups. There were, however, few concrete pledges.
"If we do not tackle the basic causes onshore, we will never be able to stop the piracy offshore," U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said at the end of the conference in Istanbul. "Despite the risk...the U.N. and the international community will not stand by and watch Somalia's struggle alone."
Somalia has been a state of anarchy since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on each other. Piracy is flourishing off the coast, while insurgents with alleged links to al-Qaida launch daily attacks. The weak U.N.-sponsored transitional government, meanwhile, controls only a few blocks of the capital, Mogadishu, with the help of 5,300 African Union peacekeepers.
Political turmoil erupted this week as President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed fired Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke only to reverse his decision Thursday, saying the country needed unity among its leaders.
Ban said it was time for the international community to "redouble our efforts" to help Somalia, and that the transitional government represents the country's best chance in years to escape from the endless cycle of war and humanitarian disaster.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner also said the Somali prime minister must not be "left alone."
"Let's be close to the people. This is risky, uneasy and difficult," Kouchner said, also voicing support for the establishment of an international court to try pirates.
The conference participants — representatives of 55 nations and 12 international organizations — expressed "grave concern over the increase in acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea against vessels off the coast of Somalia," according to a joint statement released at the end of the meeting.
The meeting was attended by members of Somalia's government, but not of the opposition, which is accused of having ties to insurgents.
The joint declaration said that while "a bright future for Somalia is possible," the international community would offer support. Turkey signed a deal paving the way to provide military training to Somali soldiers.
"We send a clear and strong message to the people of Somalia that they are not alone in the search for peace, reconciliation and prosperity after so many years of poverty, hardship and suffering," the declaration said.
Ban thanked those offering training, but also said that "we need to do more to pay them after that training."
The Somali president assured the conference that his country's leaders were able to iron out differences, and also promised transparency in the face of widespread allegations of corruption. The various clans and factions do not always agree on policies regarding combatting Islamic insurgents.
"We promise to be transparent," Ahmed said. "We're committed to transparency and all the assistance given to us are guaranteed by us." He later refused to answer a question about whether he would work with the prime minister in the next government, saying only that Sharmarke was "a very distinguished person."
Because Ahmed dissolved the Cabinet last week when he initially sacked the prime minister, a new government must be formed.
"We've some preparations," Ahmed said. "Soon, some very good things will happen."
Spain will host the next Somalia conference in Madrid in September.
___

News round-up: Famine in Somalia --Somalia PM orders aid protection, UN Humanitarian Chief Meets Famine Victims in Somalia.Somalia wants humanitarian force to guard food convoys, Turkey has launched a massive aid campaign,Turkish delegation arrives in Mogadish .Kuwait Red Crescent increases relief efforts in Somalia. Saudi physicians Come to Mogadishu. Canadians respond to Somalia disaster

Somalia wants humanitarian force to guard food convoys

UN Humanitarian Chief Meets Famine Victims in Somalia

Somalia's prime minister has announced the creation of a special force to protect convoys delivering aid to people affected by drought and famine.Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said the force would comprise 300 trained men, helped by AU peacekeepers who are currently providing security in Mogadishu.He was speaking after talks with UN emergency relief coordinator, Valerie Amos, in the Somali capital.Some 12 million people are affected by drought in the region, the UN says.Mr Ali said the force would have two main jobs: "Number one is to secure the convoys and to protect food aid, and also to protect the camps when food is distributed," he said."Second is to stabilize the city and to fight banditry and looting and any sort of untidiness."Mr Mohamed Ali's use of the word "untidiness" was something of an understatement: Mogadishu was until a few days ago divided in two, with the Islamist insurgent group, al-Shabab, occupying several districts.It has now withdrawn from most parts of the city, but has vowed to keep on fighting the transitional government.

'Scaling up operations'

Security has improved in Mogadishu, although pockets of resistance remain.After their meeting, Baroness Amos said the improvement in security meant the UN could intensify its relief efforts in the region."We are scaling up our operations in Mogadishu," she said. "UNHCR [UN High Commission for Refugees], for example, has had three flights come in this week"Unicef [UN Children's Fund]has had flights come in. The World Food Programme has had flights come in.But the aid operation in Somalia still faces huge challenges. Most of the famine-affected areas are still controlled by al-Shabab, which has often been reluctant to cooperate with international agencies.

Canadians respond to Somalia disaster

 Third cargo plane of Turkish aid takes off for Somalia

 Turkey Red Crescent representatives 

Turkish delegation arrives in Mogadish

A delegation from Turkey on Sunday arrived in Mogadishu ahead of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visit to Somalia on August 18.
The Turkish team are said to be preparing grounds for the arrival of the Turkish Prime Minister who is expected to visit Somalia together with his spouse Emine Erdogan.
Somalia’s interior and national security minister Abdisamad Ma’alim Mohamud and other government officers have received the visiting Turkish delegation at Adan Ade airport.
Head of disaster mitigation in the office of the Prime Minister Cusmnaa Nuurit Bechtash leading the Turkish team visiting Somalia said their trip is part of their effort in responding to drought and famine related crisis in Somalia.
He added that a Turkish cargo ship carrying humanitarian aid for the needy people in Somalia is expected to dock in Mogadishu tomorrow.
Somalia’s interior and national security minister Abdisamad Ma’alim Mohamud also revealed that the Turkish delegation came to prepare grounds for the arrival of the Turkish premier in the next few days.
Erdogan is expected to return to Turkey on August 19.
Turkey has launched a massive aid campaign to help efforts to fight hunger in eastern Africa where the World Food Program estimates that 10 million people already need humanitarian aid.
Donations collected by Turkish Prime Ministry and Religious Affairs Directorate reached 54.1 million TL in a campaign launched to help African countries.
The U.N. Children’s Fund estimates that more than 2 million children are malnourished and in need of lifesaving action in the region.

Kuwait Red Crescent increases relief efforts in Somalia 

 
 Kuwait Red Crescent representatives with Somalia pm Abdiweli Mohamed Ali
Saudi physicians Come to Mogadishu'

Saudi medics provide free medical service in Mogadishu

Doctor from Saudi Arabia on Sunday provided a free medical service to the needy people in Mogadishu.
Dr. Abdalla Al-Amri who is among the Saudi doctors offering the free service in Banadir’s Mother and Child department said they are sacrificing their time to help the needy people with their services.
The Saudi doctors are said to be responding to the current drought and famine related drought in Somalia, where tens of thousands are facing starvation.
Meanwhile the head of Banadir Hospital’s pediatric department Lul Mohamed Ahmed said diarrhea is becoming life threatening in Mogadishu, saying that over a hundred patients with diarrhea came to seek treatments in the hospital for the last few days.

London hosts Somalia meeting to aid post-war gains - World Wires - MiamiHerald.com

MOGADISHU, Somalia -- Somalia's president over the weekend received the country's first pieces of mail in more than two decades. It's the kind of small but hopeful development that leaders meeting in London on Tuesday want to see more of.

Britain and Somalia on Tuesday co-host an international donors' conference that aims to provide international support for the Somali government as it continues to leave behind two decades of conflict.

Though Mogadishu still suffers from intermittent terror attacks by the Islamic extremists of al-Shabab, including a car bomb Sunday that killed at least seven people, the capital is much more peaceful today than in years past, when deadly battles took place daily.

The weekend mail delivery to Mogadishu came courtesy of the United Nations Postal Administration. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent letters to Somalia's president.

"It's a victory and a sign of development. We have received the first letters now, and we are going to process sending letters soon," said Abdullahi Elmoge Nor, Somalia's Minister of Information, Telecoms and Transport.

At the London conference Somalia is set to share its plans to develop the country's security forces, justice sector and financial management systems. International donors are likely to pledge aid to help get Somalia's plans moving. Britain said in February it would give 3 million pounds ($4.7 million), with a large chunk intended to help train Somali lawmakers.

Eradicating sexual violence - a cause championed by British Foreign Secretary William Hague - will also be on the agenda. In the run-up to the conference Britain and the United Arab Emirates announced 2 million pounds ($3.1 million) in joint funding to help tackle sexual violence in Somalia.

Britain's Foreign Office said it expected representatives of "nearly 50 governments," as well as groups like the United Nations, the African Union, the World Bank, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Arab League. Also expected to attend is Kenya's new President Uhuru Kenyatta, who faces charges at the International Criminal Court for allegations connected to 2007-08 post-election violence.

After Sunday's attack in Mogadishu, Britain's Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds said the bombing demonstrated the importance for the Somali government and international partners to work together to combat extremism. Gunmen and suicide bombers attacked Mogadishu's Supreme Court complex last month, killing more than 35 people.

Despite the attacks, new construction is up in the capital. New restaurants have opened and citizens are participating in sports leagues, which had been banned by the extremists. Britain last month opened an embassy in Mogadishu for the first time in 20 years.

Human Rights Watch urged international donors meeting in London to make accountability and women's rights a priority. It also said the government should exclude power brokers who violate human rights from any role in the security forces.

"International goodwill for the new Somali leadership and its proposed reforms should not mean unqualified support," said David Mepham, Britain director at Human Rights Watch.

The Somalia NGO Consortium - a group of civil society actors - noted that Somalia's new constitution requires the implementation of federalism but has not yet done so.

The northern Somali region of Somaliland - a semiautonomous region that has been agitating for years for independence - is not attending the conference despite the fact that furthering dialogue between the governments of Mogadishu and Somaliland had been one of the goals of the conference.

Read more here: http://wwSomalia: What you need to knoww.miamiherald.com/2013/05/06/338Somalia: What you need to know3028/london-hosts-somalia-meetingSomalia: What you need to know-to.html#storylink=cpy

MOGADISHU, Somalia: London hosts Somalia meeting to aid post-war gains - World Wires - MiamiHerald.com


 

İstanbul hosts major Somalia conference at critical time,Somalia greatest crisis in world: UN chief

Istanbul Conference on Somalia Previous | Home | Next

Photos - Office of Somali President

At a time when concerns are growing over the anarchy and political turmoil gripping Somalia, a major global conference on the troubled nation kicked off yesterday in İstanbul, with the host country expecting the conference to give members of the international community comprehensive insight into issues in Somalia.

On the first day of the three-day conference, senior officials from 55 countries started closed-door meetings to lay the groundwork for the main event of the conference today, which will be attended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.Several international organizations, including the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), are also being represented at the conference, which is being held in line with a decision by the International Somalia Contact Group, which brings together several Western governments and donors, made during a December 2009 meeting in Jeddah under the auspices of the UN and within the framework of the Djibouti Peace Process. The Djibouti Peace Process is a 2008 peace accord signed in neighboring Djibouti between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) that was meant to pave the way for the cessation of all armed conflict across the country, which has had no functioning government for nearly two decades and has been beset by factional violence, most recently with fundamentalist militants. Senior officials yesterday focused on political and security affairs, while today several round-table meetings will be held with the participation of businesspersons and investors to debate ways of strengthening Somalia’s economy and reconstructing and developing Somalia. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Ankara aims to address all aspects of the Djibouti Peace Process’ main titles: “security,” “political cooperation” and “reconstruction and development.” An “İstanbul Declaration” is expected to be adopted at the closing of the conference on Sunday. Last week, speaking at a session of the UN Security Council, of which Turkey is a non-permanent member, the UN secretary-general’s special representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, hailed the İstanbul conference. Ould-Abdallah expressed his hope that the conference would address security issues and global threats including piracy and also provide a platform for the Somali private sector, international business representatives and governments to launch new initiatives for reconstruction and job creation. The Turkish Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, highlighted the utmost importance Ankara attaches to Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace and stability. “It is important to build stability in Somalia as soon as possible to ensure regional security and international peace. Turkey supports efforts aimed at this goal and the Somalia Transitional Federal Government’s ‘open door’ policy towards all opposition groups,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement released earlier this week, pledging the continuation of Turkey’s support for overcoming the crisis in Somalia and maintaining peace and security in the war-torn country.

TODAY’S ZAMAN  ANKARA  Somalia greatest crisis in world: UN chief

International Crisis Group : Assessing Turkey’s Role in Somalia

International Crisis Group : Assessing Turkey’s Role in Somalia
Assessing Turkey’s Role in Somalia

Africa Briefing N°92

8 Oct 2012


OVERVIEW

Turkey is the newest country to intervene in Somalia and its involvement has produced some positive results. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s courageous visit to Mogadishu in August 2011 at the height of the famine and his decision to open an embassy gave fresh impetus to efforts to establish lasting peace. Widespread Somali gratitude for Turkish humanitarian endeavours and the country’s status as a Muslim and democratic state established Turkey as a welcome partner. Ankara has signalled it is in for the long haul. However, it must tread prudently, eschew unilateralism and learn lessons to avoid another failed international intervention. Over twenty years, many states and entities have tried to bring relief and secure peace in Somalia, often leaving behind a situation messier than that which they found. Ankara must appreciate it alone cannot solve the country’s many challenges, but must secure the support and cooperation of both the Somali people and international community. Trying to go solo could backfire, hamper ongoing efforts and lose the immense good-will it has accumulated.

Turkey’s presence on the ground is relatively small, but because of its timely famine relief and the apparent strength of its commitment, as well as Somalis’ gratitude, its contribution is seen as colossal. In addition to its embassy, there are about a dozen governmental and non-gov­ern­men­tal organisations (NGOs) with a limited presence on the ground working in Mogadishu. But Somalis’ dream of a quick and comprehensive recovery has created great expectations in the regions that are not receiving Turkish assistance, particularly because of their highly visible activities in Mogadishu. Yet, besides generous diplomatic and political support, its means are modest and its material support to Somalia will probably remain limited. If the Somali people’s high expectations are not moderated and if Ankara is unable to expand its relief and development aid to peaceful regions outside Mogadishu, the Turkey-Somalia partnership could be strained or quickly transformed into a relationship beset by resentment.

Vocal Somali criticism of the two conferences (civil society and government) held in Istanbul from late May to early June 2012 should serve as an important reminder about the volatility of and multiple fault lines in Somali politics. Somalia’s main political actors backpedalled on clear political understandings they had with Ankara (such as the traditional elders’ planned trip to Istanbul to participate in the civil society gathering) and openly criticised and confronted their host on seemingly benign issues. Turkey overcame these unexpected impediments because of diplomatic insights gained from its on-the-ground presence and support from international partners. It should use its new experience to build consensus and improve external coordination if its intervention is to be effective.

As a new Somali government is established, Turkey is expected to, and can, play an important role in helping stabilise and develop the war-ravaged country. In order to play a major and sustained role in Somalia, Ankara should:

•lay out a public, clear and realistic long-term strategy for its Somalia policy, backed by secure funding and an increase in the number of specialists in both Mogadishu and Ankara dedicated to its efforts in Somalia, and in particular build up its knowledge of Somalia and coordinate with other countries and international agencies active in the country;

•remain impartial in internal politics and avoid being manipulated by Somali politicians long experienced in outwitting foreign newcomers;

•expand targeted assistance to peaceful regions outside of Mogadishu;

•prioritise institution building and knowledge transfer, including investing in the return of educated diaspora Somalis;

•help with political party development, constitutional reform and the creation of accountable institutions;

•take a more active role in UN peacebuilding efforts;

•manage Somali expectations of how much assistance it can provide;

•establish a standardised and transparent bidding process for contracts and subcontracts to avoid empowering predatory businesspeople;

•offer mediation expertise and financial assistance to peace and reconciliation efforts;

•stop being indifferent to the endemic Somali corruption and tie diplomatic and development assistance to upholding the rule of law and establishing accountable and effective institutions;

•provide more support to AMISOM and integrate security assistance within existing international mechanisms, rather than embarking on a parallel and duplicate process;

•help Somalia create a professional, decentralised police force, which, rather than external forces such as AMISOM, will be responsible for the consolidation of peace and security;

•coordinate with other countries and international agencies to prevent overlap and ensure aid is provided strategically;

•ensure Turkish businesspeople operating in Somalia neither exploit vulnerable Somalis nor are exploited by Somali elite; and

•support the Joint Financial Management Board agreed to at the London and Istanbul conferences to ensure that government revenue and international assistance is used appropriately and efficiently.

This briefing outlines Turkey’s ongoing operations and achievements so far. As Somalia enters a new and uncertain post-transition phase, Ankara may likely face obstacles and will run into the country’s complicated political and security environment in delivering on numerous expectations as its honeymoon with Somalis ends. To avoid this, the briefing suggests practical steps to make the Turkish-Somalia cooperation sustainable and mutually beneficial.

Nairobi/Istanbul/Brussels, 8 October 2012