Lord Triesman
20 January 2007
opinion
Kampala — The current turmoil in Somalia is of grave concern. There is a continuing tragedy being faced daily by the Somali people. The fighting between the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Ethiopian army has prolonged the agony of a nation hungry for peace and reconciliation. The UK and the international community are committed to helping these factions come together and work towards peace. This is in the interests of all Somali clans and their members.
Somalia and her people stand at a crossroads. President Yusuf can now directly influence the course Somalia takes. The UK has stressed to him that the process of re-establishing the authority of the TFG and its institutions should be inclusive to meet the aspirations of all Somalis. While this will not be an easy task, we believe there is no viable alternative and his government is the only one recognised by the international community.
Since the TFG was established, we and our international partners have been encouraging it to pursue an inclusive political process as envisaged in the Transitional Charter.
Latterly, we pressed for that process to include dialogue with moderates in the UIC. There were negotiations in Khartoum, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Djibouti. But these failed. I am hopeful that the TFG can now work with the various clans and factions to build an inclusive government.
Of course the situation is complex. But the Transitional Charter provides the framework for the way forward. UN Security Council Resolution 1725 further helps lay the groundwork by calling for a protection and training mission to Somalia to help provide the internal stability needed to rebuild the Somali state; to establish effective functioning of the TFG and to provide urgent humanitarian and essential development assistance. We want to provide necessary stability until the Somalis can do so themselves.
There has been concern about the Ethiopian intervention. We, like all our international partners, want Ethiopia to withdraw as a regional stabilisation force deploys. Ethiopia has said it wants to leave as soon as possible. To facilitate this and to avoid a dangerous security vacuum, the international community must work urgently with the African Union and the TFG on the quick deployment of a stabilisation force. We applaud Uganda's offer of troops and encourage others from those African nations who are considering participation. And we are convinced there is a vital role for the UN given the current huge demands on the AU.
Providing for the immediate and long-term needs of the Somalis is an international priority and high on the UK's agenda. The Department for International Development (DFID) has been working with other international donors to help the TFG to deliver on the ground.
DFID has been the second largest humanitarian donor to Somalia since mid-1995. Since the end of 2005, DFID has spent over £20m in addition to the £4m provided to partners in Somalia and Kenya to assist displaced people. DFID's programme will increase to £21m this year.
Internal stability and security will facilitate spending on institution-building of Somali administrations and delivery, via UN agencies and NGOs, of support for education and health.
We are working with the UNDP to take forward a new Somali police strategy, including police training and to develop other elements of the rule of law. These are important components in building Somali capacity to deliver security to its people.
Somalia has for too long suffered from regional and international interference; we all must take this opportunity to help Somalia govern herself and re-join the international community.
The clear interest by Al Qaeda and international terrorists spreading their hateful ideology by opening a new front in Somalia is part of its attempt to bring instability to the Middle East and Africa. Al Qaeda has shown that they operate most comfortably in failed states where anarchy rules alongside poverty and ignorance. Al Qaeda is not interested in, and offers nothing to improve the daily lives of the Somalis.
Somalia will need our help for some time as it reconstructs itself to stability. We want that stability to endure and for the rest of Somalia to be able to look forward to a future where peace, stability and democracy is the norm.
The writer is the Minister for Africa Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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