British Prime Minister David Cameron said his country will commit $15.5 million toward developing the Somali armed forces and $22.5 million to strengthen the police and train judges and lawyers.

He said support for Somalia is both urgent and necessary, warning that a failure to help Somalia will lead to more terrorism.

“Radicalism is poisoning young Somali minds and breeding terrorism and extremism,” Cameron warned. ” This is a threat to our security and if we ignore it we would be making the same mistakes in Somalia that we made in Afghanistan in the 1990s”

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told the conference of more than 50 countries and organization in London Tuesday that his country faces challenges, but that Somalia can thrive after a period of international investment and support.

“We can not allow the immense progress we have made to be wasted and the world has to stand by our side to make sure that this would happen,” he said. “We are starting to see signs of recovery and economic revival in Somalia. If we act now to receive the support from the international community the Somali government will definitely deliver the expectations of the Somali people and the international community as well.”

He identified the militant group al-Shabab as one of the threats still facing the country.

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed eight people in Mogadishu on Sunday.

The Somali ambassador to Britain, Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, told VOA’s Somali Service that security is a top priority for the government but said militant attacks will likely continue.

“But definitely we’re not expecting these kinds of attacks to be eliminated, and to be out of the picture.  This is going to be an unrealistic ambition,” the ambassador said.

Tuesday’s conference followed two international conferences held last year to support the country’s move from a transitional government to a new parliament and elected president.

Also Tuesday, President Mohamud signed a joint communique with the United Nations on preventing sexual violence.  The document calls for Somalia to strengthen laws against sexual violence, ensure access to medical, psychological and legal aid for victims, further protect those living in displaced persons camps and reinforce prohibitions against sexual violence among the military and police.

Somalia had gone more than 20 years without stable central government, since the ousting of president Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

African Union peacekeepers and militaries in the region have helped push al-Shabab out of major cities, but the militants have remained in control in areas of the south and still carry out sporadic attacks on the capital.

Britain opened a new embassy in Somalia last month.  Turkey, Libya, Yemen and Iran also have embassies there.

Sources :VOA

The President was accompanied by the Deputy PM / Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Fowziya Hagi Yusuf Adan; Minister of Finance, H.E Mohamud H Suleiman; Minister of Defence H.E. Abdihakim Mohamud Haji Fiqi;Minister of State for the Presidency, H.E. Farah Sh. Abdulkader, and senior advisors from the Presidency ,and the office of the Prime Minister

The President will tell Leaders and representatives from over 40 countries and many non government organisations that progress in Somalia over the past year has defied the skeptics but that the peace in Somalia must be won with “unflinching commitment”.

The President will lead a team of Ministers in presenting detailed plans for the reform of security, justice and finance management sectors and will ask the international community to assist them in the implementation of their plans. “We are here today to begin a four-year process that must begin with considerable investment and support but which I hope will finish with very little,” the President will say.

President Hassan brings the hopes of the Somali people for a positive outcome from the conference and confirmed that he will also hold bilateral discussions with leaders and donors centered on the work and resources required to implement the Six Pillar Policy.

The President will tell delegates tomorrow, “People may ask why Somalia matters at this time but there is a huge amount at stake right now:the future of our country, the security of the region and the wider world, and the removal of the piracy stranglehold on the Gulf of Aden. I know you all understand this and I fully appreciate the political capital being invested to support Somalia.”

“These cowardly and senseless acts of violence will not undermine the remarkable progress Somalia has made in the past months,” the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Augustine P. Mahiga, said in a statement from the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS).

“Attacks against civilians are never justifiable. I call on all parties to renounce violence and contribute positively to peace and stability,” he added.

Mr. Mahiga extended his condolences to the friends and families of the victims and wished the injured speedy recovery. According to media reports, the attack, which apparently targeted a convoy carrying an international delegation, killed at least seven people and injured several others.

“The UN will continue to support the Government’s efforts to improve security in the country and will not be deterred in supporting the peace building effort in Somalia,” Mr. Mahiga stressed.

Somalia had been torn by factional fighting since 1991 but has recently made progress towards stability. In 2011, Islamist Al-Shabaab insurgents retreated from Mogadishu and last year new Government institutions emerged, as the country ended a transitional phase toward setting up a permanent, democratically-elected Government.

The attack comes ahead of the second London conference on the Horn of Africa country, co-hosted by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and UK Prime Minister David Cameron, on 7 May.

UN Deputy Secretary- General Jan Eliasson was due to leave New York today for London, according to the Office of the Secretary-General’s Spokesperson, where he will deliver a keynote address on behalf of UN chief Ban Ki-moon and meet with senior government officials.

The conference aims to provide international support for the Government of Somalia as they rebuild their country after two decades of conflict, according to the conference website.

The Somalia Conference will be one of a sequence of events in 2013 that will support Somalia, including the G8 meetings, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development in early June and an EU-hosted conference in September on the New Deal for fragile states.

Last week, the Security Council unanimously voted to establish a new UN Assistance Mission in Somalia, to be known as UNSOM, and to be based in the country’s capital, Mogadishu, beginning on 3 June for an initial period of 12 months.

Stressing the need for “effectively coordinated international support for Somalia’s Federal Government,” the Council structured the mandate of the new mission as follows: providing UN ‘good offices’ functions to support peace and reconciliation; assisting the Government and the existing African Union peacekeeping force known as AMISOM with advice on peacebuilding and State building; assisting in coordinating international support; helping build capacity in human rights and the rule of law; and monitoring and helping prevent human rights violations.

The Assembly was attended by H. E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. SalvaKiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan; H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda; H.E. Ali Ahmed Kharti, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of The Sudan; and H.E. Ahmed Ali Silay, Minister of International Cooperation the Republic of Djibouti.

The Assembly was preceded by the 47^th Extra-ordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers held on 2 May 2013, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Assembly conveyed its congratulations to the Republic of Djibouti and the Republic of Kenya on the conduct of peaceful and democratic elections. The Assembly also congratulated H.E Uhuru Kenyatta President of the Republic of Kenya on his assumption of office and welcomed him to the summit. The Assembly further welcomed H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the summit.

The Summit received a report from the chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers H.E Dr. Tedros Adhanom Minster of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and a briefing from H.E Amb.(Eng.)Mahboub M. Maalim, Executive Secretary of IGAD on the situation in the Federal Republic of Somalia. After deliberations, the Assembly:

1.     Noted with appreciation the efforts made by the Government of Federal Republic of Somalia and the positive developments in recent months;

2.    Commended the ongoing and significant engagements of the Somali Federal Government with the Somali regions in relation to the set up of regional administration structures;

3.    Condemned the recent escalation of violence against civilians in Mogadishu and condemned all spoilers;

4.    Noted with appreciation the increased engagement, convergence of ideas and solidarity among IGAD member states in support of Somalia. In this regard, noted with appreciation the meeting between H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of Kenya, and H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia of April 27^th 2013 in Mombasa, Kenya and welcomed the joint statement of understanding which elaborates principles of engagement. In this regard, urged for its full implementation;

5.    Appreciated the efforts made by the Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, in his capacity as IGAD Chair, in facilitating these engagements;

6.    Noted with appreciation and welcomed the Somali Federal government’s document titled National Stabilization Plan and reiterated the need for all processes particularly the ongoing efforts towards setting up Somali regional administration and stabilization efforts, to be anchored on the following principles:

-          Leadership of the government of the Federal Republic of Somalia in the process;

-          Respect of the provisional constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia;

-          All inclusive consultative process with the peoples of Somalia;

-          supportive role of IGAD based on the priorities of the Somali government; and

-          Fighting the Al Shabab as the primary focus of the Somali Federal government; AMISOM; regional and international partners;

And further requested the Somali federal government to align the document with the aforementioned agreed five principles.

7.    Reiterated the ownership of the Somali federal government to lead and set the priorities for its stabilization and reconstruction in an all-inclusive manner;

8.    Stressed the need for these processes to include a framework for sustainable and gradual return programme for refugees with the active participation of the Somalis in the Diaspora and in this regard called on UNHCR and the international community to develop modalities for safe and orderly return and resettlement of Somali refugees with definite timelines;

9.    Called for a commitment by all stakeholders to support the ongoing political outreach and reconciliation processes led by the Somali Federal government, and the building of the capacity of the Federal Government of Somalia particularly on governance, economic development and security sector reform;

10.  Decided to conduct a confidence-building mission to Kismayu led by the IGAD Executive Secretary and composed of representatives of the federal government of Somalia and one senior delegate from each member state of IGAD with the aim of assessing the situation and submitting a report to the IGAD summit to be held on the sidelines of the upcoming AU summit in May 2013;

11.   Underlined the speedy implementation of the Integration of Forces Plan including the enrolment and training of young officers and NCOs; and underscored the need for coordinated efforts of all stakeholders under the leadership of the Somali government;

12.  Noted with appreciation the continued commitment of the AMISOM forces, the courage and commitment of the Somali National Security Forces, and the support by all troops/ police contributing countries (Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda) as well as Ethiopia;

13.  Appealed to the troop contributing countries/ police contributing countries and the Somali National Force to expand their operations and immediately recover the remaining areas controlled by Al Shabab;

14.  Reaffirmed the strong solidarity among IGAD members and their commitment to continue supporting the government-led reforms in the various priority areas, and in light of upcoming International Conferences on Somalia in particular the London conference to be held on 7 May 2013, appealed to the international community to redouble their support to the stabilization, reconstruction and long-term development of Somalia, on the basis of interalia the principles referred to in paragraph 6;

15.  Noted UNSC Resolution 2093 and expressed the hope that it will enhance the reconstruction efforts and the role of Somalia in the region; that it will build on progress made by AMISOM operations, and that it will form a sound basis for the reconstruction and development of Somalia;

16.  Underlined that the fight against Al Shabab remains the primary concern in ensuring Somalia’s stabilization and reconstruction;

Done in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 3 May, 2013

With best regards,

Abdullahi Busuri
Program Manager -
Information and Documentation
IGAD Secretariat
Djibouti; Republic of Djibouti
Tel.: +253-21312723
Mob.: +253-77838883

Mr. Kay succeeds Augustine Mahiga of Tanzania, who has served as Special Representative and head of the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) for the last three years and will complete his assignment on 3 June 2013.

In the announcement of the new appointment, the Secretary-General paid tribute to Mr. Mahiga’s “exemplary leadership” in helping to steer the conclusion of Somalia’s eight-year political transition in the summer of 2012.

“The Secretary-General recalls with deep appreciation the fact that Mr. Mahiga’s contributions had laid the foundation on which the Federal Government of Somalia, with the help of the international community, can now further engage on peacebuilding and the consolidation of security and development initiatives in the country.”

Mr. Kay is currently the Africa Director at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Prior to this, he served as Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Sudan from 2007 to 2010 and 2010 to 2012, respectively.

He was also the UK’s Regional Coordinator for Southern Afghanistan and Head of the Provincial Reconstruction Team for Helmand Province from 2006 to 2007. His career also includes diplomatic stints in Spain and Cuba, as well as 14 years of work as an English teacher in a number of countries.

As the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Somalia, Mr. Kay will be responsible for leading UN efforts to assist the country’s leaders and citizens to build peace, political stability and a hopeful future after decades of conflict.

Chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting, His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon welcomed the draft legislation, which will now be sent to Parliament for debate and ratification.

“This is a very important piece of legislation that represents a key component of the government’s strategy to fight terrorism comprehensively while taking responsibility of our own borders and the security of our people,” the Prime Minister said.
The new legislation will govern the conduct and structure of the national intelligence and security agencies and covers legal definitions of terrorism.

“We are in the last stages of a military campaign against an enemy that has been reduced to terrorism and guerrilla operations,” the Prime Minister said. “As an emerging democracy it is only appropriate that we now prosecute a counter-terrorism campaign according to the most robust, transparent and credible laws that have the confidence of the Somali public and fully respect international human rights.”

The Council of Ministers also discussed bilateral relations with the UK, including the Foreign Ministry’s nomination of the new Somali Ambassador to Britain H.E. Ambassador Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, who was appointed and will take office immediately ahead of the Somalia Conference to be held in London on 7 May.

ENDS

Ahmed Adan
Prime Minister’s Media Office
Mogadishu, Somalia

Email: media@opm.gov.so
Mobile: +252 (0) 616 440 028

The President was accompanied by the UN Resident Coordinator and Head of OCHA, Philippe Lazzarine; Minister of National Resources, H.E. Abdi Rizak Mohamed Omar; Minister of Social Services, H.E. Maryan Qasim.

In his short statement the President took the opportunity to emphasize his commitment to enforcing environmental laws in Somalia. He stressed that it is a crime to cut down trees, make and export charcoal.

President Hassan said: “There are laws in this country adopted in early 1970s by the Government of Somalia. Also there have been UN resolutions regarding the charcoal ban. Despite the current situation, we must enforce these laws.

“Let me say this, charcoal export is crime. Our land and agricultural heritage depends on our trees. We must all protect our environment and enforce both national and International laws.

“Wherever possible, I urge citizens to plant trees in their gardens or on their land.”

ENDS

For further information or enquiries please contact Malik Abdalla, Communications Director, by email on mabdalla@presidency.gov.so

“We acknowledge the concerns and frustrations of the Chief Justice, and it is essential to ensure that our Courts, and all our government institutions, are properly protected.

“We now face a different threat from Al Shabaab. The front line has gone and they have now melted into society and are intent on destabilising our progress and reforms through terror attacks. AMISOM have their mandate and, in support of our forces, continue to perform with great courage and honour in fulfilling it. But our police and security forces must now step up and take responsibility for the security of our institutions.

“I have asked the security chiefs to investigate Sunday’s attacks and talk to the Chief Justice about reviewing security arrangements around the Courts and implementing improved security procedures. I have also asked them to review security around all our main government institutions.”

ENDS

For further information or enquiries please contact Malik Abdalla, Communications Director, by email on mabdalla@presidency.gov.so

H.E. Hassan Sh. Mohamud was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Fowziya Haji Yusuf Adan.

The President received His Excellency Mikael Lindvall, the Swedish Ambassador, and His Excellency Joost Reintjes Ambassador from The Netherlands.

President Hassan briefed the new Ambassadors on the security situation, economic progress and judicial reform programmes in line with his priorities under his Six Pillar Policy. He urged the newly appointed Ambassador to support his government’s policies.

In his remarks, the President said, “I am delighted to welcome the presentation of credentials of Ambassadors from Sweden and The Netherlands on this special day. With your presence in Somalia today, and the ever growing commitment of the international community, you confirm the progress we have made thus far and your commitment in restoring a positive diplomatic relationship between your governments and Somalia.”

At the end he concluded, “The Government of Somalia will be an honest and effective partner. We are committed to further improving our bilateral relations with the Governments of The Netherlands and Sweden.”

ENDS
For further information or enquiries please contact Malik Abdalla, Communications Director, by email on mabdalla@presidency.gov.so