Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf has resigned as President of Somalia’s
Transitional Federal Government. In his address to Parliament, Yusuf
emphasized his continued support for the political process, but
conceded that he had been unable to improve security and stability
during his 4-year tenure.
Yusuf’s resignation marks the end of
a more than 30-year political career. But in closing one chapter of
Somalia’s history, it also can be seen as the opening of another.
The
challenges facing Somalia -- continued attacks from violent extremists,
a humanitarian crisis affecting much of the population, and pirate
bands raiding cargo ships off the nation’s coast -- are daunting ones,
and were only further complicated by the recurrent disputes and
power-sharing struggles among the Somali leadership.
The
United States acknowledges Mr. Yusuf’s efforts to seek greater
stability for his country and respects his decision to resign. His
commitment to continue supporting the Djibouti peace process is another
of his important contributions.
In accordance with Article 45 of
the Transitional Federal Charter, the Somali Parliament should act
expeditiously to select a new president to succeed Mr. Yusuf. The Prime
Minister, Mr. Nur Hassan Hussein, and the leaders of the Alliance for
the Re-Liberation of Somalia should intensify efforts to achieve a
government of national unity and bolster security by forming a joint
security force. The U.S. will support such an effort, and provide $5
million to help underwrite it.
Further help is needed from the
international community too, for at this point Somalia cannot do this
all alone. The Somali crisis is a regional concern, and the African
Union Mission there should be strengthened. A United Nations
peacekeeping force should be deployed as well.
SOURCE: VOA News, Tuesday, January 06, 2009