His Excellency, Paul Kegame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, H.E
Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia,
First and foremost, let me take this opportunity to wholeheartedly
congratulate the TANA HIGH LEVEL FORUM BOARD for successfully convening
the 2nd TANA High level forum on security in Africa. Special
appreciation and gratitude goes to two of the most respected Africa's
statesman and members of the Tana Forum Board His Excellency Olusegun
Obasanjo and His Excellency Thabo Mbeki. I wish them very best and
success.
We are much obliged to our hosts, the Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia, to upkeep international attention and focus to the plight of
security and organized crimes in Africa. We all thank our host and those
who initiated and organized this forum and the patience, compassion and
hospitality to us.
Terrorism is one of the biggest and most challenging security threats
facing Africa and the World in the twenty-first century. To meet this
challenge, a truly African approach is needed, based on a clear legal
foundation and solid cooperation. The Federal Government of Somalia in
rejoining to the African spectrum as well as in the community of nations
would like to contribute significantly and constructively in developing
new ideas and frameworks to combat and improve security, based on our
own experiences.
As stated by those who already spoke, I am delighted to pay my
tribute and great admiration to the champion and the biggest advocate to
peace and stability in Africa in general and in this region in
particular, the late Prime Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Meles Zenewi.
Today, Africa needs strong commitment from its leaders and people to
stand together to combat any sort of illegal activities, including the
drugs and human trafficking, illegal arms trade, illegal fishing and
maritime piracy, toxic waste dumping, money laundering and any other
organized crime in Africa.
I use the word stand together because,
current organized crimes are Africanized; Therefore, the effort to
combat it MUST also be Africanized. I believe that our concerted efforts
mitigated with a strong legal framework; and enforced laws will
generate a better image for Africa.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Africa must have the courage to say Crime is a Crime whatever
elements it involves, it has no justification, and we have to combat it
once and for all both intellectually and militarily in a unified manner.
Let me clarify about the present situation of my country. The
challenges that Somalia faces today are complex and differ from the
traditional organized crimes. Lack of security and functioning law
enforcement apparatus multiplied by prolonged statelessness have created
a wide spread instability in the country. As a result, establishing
effective security sector remained top priority for my Government.
Today, however, there are encouraging signs of progress and hope, and
looking forward to stable country with functioning security, justice and
law enforcement institutions.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Unlike some other countries, Somalia experiences daily instances of
criminality, to the vulnerable people, and abiding citizens losing their
confidences and trust to the institutions. The challenge we are phasing
is simultaneously building effective security institutions in one hand
and fighting organized crimes on the other hand, we have no choice. WE
MUST DO IT ON ALL ACCOUNTS.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am a firm believer that our national security depends on having
safe and secure neighbors, so our neighbors will depend on a safe and
secure Somalia.
The challenges that Somalia is facing today can be won and overcome,
if our African brothers and the international communities together
assist Somalia in building our security forces and its related
institutions with all its effectiveness and oversight civilian
leadership. Currently AMISOM is supporting our forces in defeating
terrorism in Somalia.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me remind you, that the threats of
transnational organized criminal activities in Somalia are not limited
to piracy and terrorism. It extends illegal fishing, toxic waste dumping
and a huge destruction of our forest charcoal production and export.
These activities will not only be illegal but causing for Somalia huge
environmental problems that pauses serious danger for generations to
come. These crimes have to stop. This must not be seen as a Somali
problem. It is both African and global and must be faced in that way.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
We know that the costs imposed by Somali piracy on the global economy
are so high and that international mobilization to eradicate piracy is
ongoing effort. However, these efforts cannot be sustained without
stable Somalia.
Parallel to that, my Government has launched a huge campaign to
eradicate the piracy through mediation and dialogue with the community
leaders and the local stakeholders. The fruits of this campaign have led
to the voluntary denunciation of so many young Somalis to these illegal
activities. The Government is planning to present to the international
community a plan for reengaging the young former pirates by establishing
a vocational training centers and reeducating to abide by the national
and international laws.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I believe that Africa is waiting us to fully address and discuss
these issues in very frank and concerted way. To combat all sorts of
transnational organized crimes, we need to work out a strategy from the
local to the global level. The need for effective communications to
fight national and international organized crimes must be made locally
and globally. I hereby confirm that Somalia is committed to this.
Above all, we need a forum like this august one to organize many
events to continuously address and focus on the eradication of these
crimes.
May I take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation and
gratitude to the Institute of Peace and Security Studies, the TANA High
Level Forum Board for giving me the chance to address this forum. I
would also like to express the same appreciation of this audience. I am
particularly indebted to Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn who offered
me to participate for the first time in this Forum.
Excellencies, let me conclude by thanking the Federal Government of
Ethiopia for being the host for this forward-looking event. Somalia owes
you for this endeavor. You are a true friend!
THANK YOU.