Thursday, July 7, 2011

Speech by Somali State Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Zahra M. Ali Samantar Meeting on International Humanitarian Law, Kigali, Rwanda 06 – 08 July 2011

Meeting on International Humanitarian Law, Kigali, Rwanda 06 – 08 July 2011 update



Roundtable on “Enhancing Respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the implementation of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) mandate”.

H. E. Louise Mushikiwabo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Republic of Rwanda,
H. E. Ambassador Boubacar Diarra, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia.
Mr Patrick Koyi, IGAD Facilitator Office for Somalia
Ms Mary Baine, The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Republic of Rwanda
Excellencies, distinguished participants, Human Rights Organisations,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me take this opportunity to thank the People and the Government of Rwanda for hosting this important conference on International Humanitarian Law and the warm welcome accorded to me and my delegation here in Kigali. I will also want to thank African Union (AU) and in particular Ambassador Diarra, the SRCC and his office for organizing this important conference.The roundtable, which brings together international experts, human rights organizations, media and other stakeholders, clearly demonstrates your commitment to International Humanitarian law and desire to protect the people of Somalia., and, in particular civilians. We in Somalia are glad to have the opportunity to discuss the issue of civilian casualties in a transparent way. I am sure, we are all here to learn from each other with a view to generating common understanding to the way forward and how we can all better protect civilians under extreme and difficult circumstances. AMISOM and TFG are fighting to bringing peace and stability to Somalia while facing ruthless extremists who have no regards to civilians or international laws.Let me take this opportunity by offering my heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation for the ongoing support of the United Nations, the African Union (AU) and the International community to Somalia. In particular, we are exceptionally grateful to the young men and women from Uganda and Burundi who make up the African Union troops and who offer the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and security of the Somali people. We salute and mourn those soldiers who died in Somalia. We offer our condolences to their friends, families and assure them that their loss will not be in vain. Our nation will be eternally grateful.Our Government and AMISOM on a daily basis face threats in the form of violent attacks, suicide bombings, and roadside bombings. The extremists hide behind civilians and fire at our forces from residential neighborhoods. However, TFG and AMISOM are fully aware of what is expected of them and share a commitment to minimizing the danger to civilians. It is difficult to bring peace and stability when the enemy is using suicide bombings and all sorts of tactics against you. I also want to thank Gen. Nathan Mugisha for his leadership during his tenure as the AMISOM Force Commander in Somalia. Gen. Mugisha made a real difference to the people of Mogadishu. He has made vast improvements towards partnership working with us (TFG). AMISOM Forces have made great sacrifices to the people of Somalia and have been instrumental in providing humanitarian assistance to Somalis in Mogadishu. They manage one of the busiest hospitals in Mogadishu, freely offering treatment for all sorts of diseases and injuries suffered by local residents. AMISOM has also been helping the Banadir Administration with regards to service delivery. I would also like to welcome his successor Gen Fred Mugisha and we will look forward to working with him and I can assure you that we will be your credible partner.
Excellencies and distinguished participants,

In Somalia, it is increasingly evident that progress in security sector development is indispensable in meeting the vastly complex set of risks, threats and challenges of consolidating political progress. Our Government is faced with many competing challenges which include extremism, chaos, piracy, lawlessness, people fleeing from their homes, internal displaced people, droughts and famine.For the first time in our history, Somalia has successfully fulfilled its international obligation by submitting a National Report on the situation of the human rights situation in the country within the framework of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to the 11th session of the Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) on 3rd May 2011. Somalia’s UPR report addressed the enormous challenges and constraints that we are facing, in the fields of poverty, droughts, and insecurity. Insecurity in the country is aggravated by the lack of fully functional institutions. The consequent limitation on implementing the rule of law impacts on the Government’s ability to meet its obligations in the area of human rights. The Government of Somalia has frequently reiterated its commitment to make human rights the foundation of the transition to a new Somalia and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the international humanitarian law. In order to enhance the protection of the human rights of all people within its jurisdiction, the Government has proposed that Transitional Federal Parliament ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. Somalia’s National UPR Report, which was adopted at a plenary session of the Human Rights Council, received 155 recommendations from the Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council. These recommendations included, the establishment of national human rights institutions, training in human rights and international humanitarian law for both the Government and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces, as well as amnesty to persons who have participated in the armed conflict. The lack of effective government over the course of the last 20 years has resulted in a culture of lawlessness and chaos. As Somalia strives to rebuild its armed forces and security institutions with the help of AMISOM and the international community, our soldiers and policemen receive training in international human rights and humanitarian law. In the continuing effort to safeguard the rights of Somalis, the government appreciates the help, support and, yes, criticism that we receive from organizations involved in human rights.
Our country is currently facing extreme droughts and famine. The rain season ended and we are not expecting rain before September, therefore, the situation will deteriorate for the coming months. I would like to appeal to the international community to urgently provide humanitarian assistance and aid to the people of Somalia in order to avoid humanitarian catastrophe. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your participation and looking forward to taking part of your lively discussions during the session. I hope that all your contributions, exchanged of ideas will further enhance the protection of our civilians whilst improving the security situation in Somalia.

Thank you,

Somali State Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister
Minister Zahra M. Ali Samantar

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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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