Saturday, July 9, 2011

Closing Statement by H. E. Zahra M. Ali Samantar, Minister of State of the Office of the Prime Minister of Somalia.

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”.

Hon. Tharcisse Karugarama, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Republic of Rwanda,
H. E. Hon. Wafula Wamunyinyi, Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Somalia,
H.E. Ambassador Rodney Kiwa, Focal Point of the African Union 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,

Today, I am once more privileged and honored to speak before you in this important conference. First of all I would like to express my profound gratitude to the people and Government of Rwanda for the warm welcome accorded to all distinguished participants of the roundtable here in Kigali. I would also like to express my deep thanks to the African Union, in particular H. E. Ambassador Boubacar Diarra and his team for funding and organizing this important Roundtable on “Enhancing Respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the implementation of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) mandate”.

The meeting has provided us with a useful platform to exchange information, ideas, experiences and lessons learned. We all must now strive to work together, in a spirit of cooperation, to ensure the important recommendations generated by this conference are translated into reality on the ground in Somalia.

The opening speeches made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Rwanda and Ambassador Diarra set the stage for deep and meaningful discussions on the challenges AMISOM faces with regard to implementing IHL. The excellent presentations and recommendations received from the working groups have shown the way forward. All of us at this gathering now fully understand the IHL obligations accruing to AMISOM and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia as they strive to safeguard the lives of Somali civilians.

In the past couple of days, we have not only generated a wealth of information but also identified the competences, skills, and cooperation required to upholding the IHL approach. This knowledge will prove useful as we strive to change the situation in Somalia for the better.

AMISOM and TFG are engaged in a struggle to bring peace and stability to Somalia while facing ruthless extremists who have no regard for civilians or international laws. The TFG recognizes that it bears the primary responsibility to protect Somali civilians. This is a battle is for the hearts and minds of the population. Respect for international humanitarian law and all the issues round protecting innocent civilians is central to ensuring we are on the right side. I take this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the government of Somalia to making human rights the foundation of the transition to a new Somalia and our unwavering commitment to international humanitarian law.

However, it is also true that this is not a problem that we can solve on our own. Neither is it one that poses a threat to Somalia alone. The whole world has a stake in this fight and all of us have responsibilities in helping resolve it successfully and with minimal harm to the population. The recommendations coming from this roundtable must be matched by a commitment from the international community to provide the necessary resources for their implementation. Training, equipment, extra personnel and advice is all needed if we are to turn the theory into reality.

The African Union has taken the lead in this regard. Let me take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation for their support. In particular, we are exceptionally grateful to the young men and women from Uganda and Burundi who make up the troops of AMISOM and who daily risk their lives for the safety and security of the Somali people. AMISOM troops stand shoulder to shoulder with our forces on the frontline of protecting Somali civilians. Their doctors are freely offering medical treatment to sick and wounded. The civilian component, which has now relocated to Mogadishu, is helping to further the cause of peace by facilitating the political process. In all this, AMISOM epitomizes the spirit of African solidarity. We once again salute and mourn those soldiers who have paid the ultimate price for peace 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 for their sacrifice.

We also wish to thank our partners in the international community, especially the UN, US and the EU, for their continuing support for this endeavour. I appeal to them and others to ensure that AMISOM is fully equipped to accomplish its mission while at the same time minimising further loss of life, both military and civilian.

Now more than ever, Somalia is steeped in a humanitarian crisis. The country is experiencing its worst drought in a generation. It is critical that humanitarian interventions are urgently undertaken to prevent the situation degenerating into a catastrophe. I therefore appeal to the UN and international humanitarian aid agencies to ramp their provision of food aid to the Somali people and to support the TFG in our efforts to tackle the crisis.

In conclusion, the ongoing struggle inside Somalia is a battle between visions for the country’s future. The contrast is stark. Between a dark, brutal, foreign-inspired reduction of freedoms exemplified in the violence of the extremists, and a government that supports the people as they strive to reclaim their country from the anarchy of the past two decades. As we, together with AMISOM, fight to liberate our country, international humanitarian law, and the issues discussed here, will continue to guide our actions. I am confident that with the support of the international community we will prevail and Somalia will once again be able to proudly take its rightful place in the community of nations.

Once again, I would like to thank you all, for your active participation. I would also like to extend our deep gratitude to the Government of Rwanda, and the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) for their support to this successful and fruitful roundtable. I wish you a safe trip back home.

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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