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Finnish Special Envoy visits Mogadishu

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Press Release
Office of MP Pekka Haavisto
Saturday, April 11, 2009

MP Pekka Haavisto, the Finnish Special Envoy for Horn of Africa and Sudan and President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed
MP Pekka Haavisto, the Finnish Special Envoy for Horn of Africa and Sudan, had a two-day visit to Mogadishu on Thursday and Friday. During the visit Mr. Haavisto met with President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and other members of the government. He also visited the Parliament, and met with the leaders of parliamentary sub-committees.

Mr. Haavisto had also meetings with civil society representatives, including the traditional leaders, representatives of business community, women organizations and various civil society groups.

The topics of the discussions in Mogadishu included Somalia-Finland cooperation in the future, security situation, supporting the state-building efforts in Somalia as well as the ongoing reconciliation processes.

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“My impression is that there are high hopes among the civilian population in Mogadishu and in Somalia to end the violence and settle all disputes in a peaceful way. Particularly women were concerned that the main victims of the long period of instability and violence in Somalia are the children, who have not had opportunity to proper schooling and education. Access to health care, food security and humanitarian assistance were the issues raised by civil society in Mogadishu”, Mr. Haavisto said.

“I was impressed how active the civil society in Mogadishu is and has been throughout the crisis. This brings confidence that Somalis can start building their country rapidly when peace is there”, Mr. Haavisto added.

“The willingness of government to talk to all parties in Somalia is important. In my mind nobody should be left out from the peace process, but all Somalis have the responsibility to solve their remaining problems in a non-violent way.”

Prior to his visit to Mogadishu Mr. Haavisto visited Cairo where he met with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Amr Moussa, and Asmara where he discussed with the government authorities as well as with various representatives of Somali diaspora.

“My highest hope is that different Somali groups can through dialogue find a peaceful settlement, and that Somalia would have a strong government which controls the territory of the country. Only through that the country can be safe for everyone, and social end economical development will take place”, Mr. Haavisto concluded.

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