Letter to the members of the Somali Diaspora

Salaam Aleikum

Dear friends

1.  Events are moving quickly inside Somalia so once again I am writing to update you and to ask for your mobilization at this critical moment in your country. The peace process continues to move forward and at the present juncture, everyone’s best efforts are needed.

2.  As I have said before, those behind the continuing violence in Somalia will not escape unpunished. A meeting on Justice and Reconciliation (Article 9 of the Djibouti Agreement), held in Djibouti from 22 – 23 November, agreed on the need to address impunity. It discussed options such as setting up an International Commission of Inquiry for Somalia, referring war criminals to the International Criminal Court or an International Court for Somalia or a Justice and Reconciliation Commission (as in South Africa). This is a good step forward. Those who have carried out violence in Somalia, who have caused the death and suffering of innocent Somalis and tried to disrupt the peace process, will be brought to justice of God and man. This has been further emphasized in a new Security Council resolution which seeks sanctions against such war mongers. (UNSC1844)

3.  As you know the High Level Committee met in Djibouti to discuss practical ways of implementing political cooperation. It discussed its decision taken on 26 October, on the eve of the IGAD Summit, that there should be an expanded Parliament. This new Parliament would include all current MPs along with the ARS, members of the Diaspora, civil society and the business community. These proposals should be discussed and adopted at a meeting later this month. I am aware of some debate about this session of the High Level Committee. It should be known that the meeting, like previous ones, was open and frank and aimed at implementing the earlier agreement to expand the Parliament making it more inclusive and to seek later a Government of National Unity. 

4.  The Joint Security Committee held a workshop in Naivasha, Kenya on the way forward and proposed a number of practical measures: the establishment of interim joint security forces and command structures, a framework for the Verification and Monitoring Mission and a joint working group for the integration of the Somali Police Force.

5. As you know, the Government of Ethiopia has said it plans to withdraw its forces from Somalia by the end of the year. This presents new and daunting challenges to Somalia and all Somalis. The most immediate is to prevent a security vacuum and upsurge in fighting and to ensure that the Djibouti Agreement is upheld and respected. I am relying on the Jaaliyadda to help unite their Somali brothers, to uphold their dignity, and ensure that the voices of the peacemakers prevail.

6. Those who said they were fighting only to push the Ethiopians out have no further excuse for violence. It will become clear if they continue the path of violence that they do so for their own ends to seek power or material reward for themselves and have no interest in the good of Somalia. I sincerely believe that Somalis should stop the confrontation now and make it easy for peace to return. Any excuses given for violence should be condemned and rejected.

7. The critical issue of piracy continues to steal the headlines in the international press. I have always this is linked to instability and criminality on land. We will be holding an international Ministerial-level meeting in Nairobi on 10 – 11 December on piracy which will be opened by President Kibaki of Kenya, the host country.

8. The situation is changing daily inside and outside Somalia and you must react to ensure a positive outcome. All will depend on Somalis and on them alone. As always your mobilization is extremely important to bring your people together and help restore peace, stability and dignity to Somalia. Pray for the end of the expression “failed state” which is currently all too often associated with your great country.

Yours Faithfully