22 January 2007
The conducive situation for peace in Somalia is beyond anyone's expectation after the radical terrorists, who took control of the capital, Mogadishu, and most of the country were ousted through the military operation of the allied forces of Ethiopia and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. Promising developments are being seen in the country, including the capital Mogadishu.
These encouraging developments of peace and security in Somalia are the result of the quest for, approval and support of all of the Somali people for peace and security in their long suffering country. The motivation and support displayed by Somalis everywhere in the country to welcome and work together with the Transitional Federal Government is the principal revelation of the Somali people's vested interest in sustainable peace and security. The changes brought about by the coordinated measures taken by the Ethiopian Defence Forces and that of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia over the challenges in Somalia for the last sixteen years have gained widespread acceptance and admiration from the international community, as a whole.
In line with this, extensive diplomatic efforts are underway to make use of the unprecedented favourable condition created in Somalia for peace and to take up this window of hope to fruition. It is encouraging to note that regional, continental, international organizations and several countries are contributing to the diplomatic efforts. Ethiopia, too, is undertaking extensive diplomatic activities in shuttle diplomacy with several countries. In this case, all governments whom the Ethiopian delegates held talks with have expressed their support and acknowledged that our intervention in Somalia was only in self-defence. The subsequent diplomatic efforts are meant to remind the international community to use the favourable conditions created in the country and solicit support to foster sustainable peace and stability in Somalia.
The efforts underway for the practical implementation of the Africa Union's (AU) and United Nations' (UN) resolutions for the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Somalia are also gaining momentum. It is to be recalled that the European Union (EU) and United States (US) have promised to provide financial support to the peacekeeping force in Somalia. Other international organizations are expressing interest in extending their support in various forms for re-building Somalia. For all these encouraging moves, to bear fruit, there is a need for an immediate move to practical steps.
The opportunity for Somalia to slip back to chaos will be shuttered for good provided that the Comprehensive Peace and Reconciliation Plan gains an immediate support from the whole world.
The broad opportunities for sustainable peace and stability currently created in Somalia have exacted considerable sacrifice. It is in regard of this very basic fact that extensive efforts are launched by all to make use of this opportunity. Even though the prevalence of sustainable and reliable peace in Somalia is a decisive issue for Somalis themselves more than any one else, neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia, and indeed the whole world, also stand to benefit. Hence, there is a need to take swift and coordinated measures so that the efforts launched by all concerned to ensure sustainable and reliable peace in Somalia would bear the desired result in the shortest time possible. Especially, all Somalis at home and abroad need to step up their support for national, continental and international efforts geared towards rebuilding Somalia by ensuring sustainable peace and stability in the country.
In general, it is essential to strengthen the promising starts and intensify practical measures so that the favourable conditions created in Somalia can yield the desired outcome in a sustainable manner.
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