African Union High Representative for Somalia, Ghana?s Former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, visits Nairobi for meetings with Somali Leaders and a delegation of the United Nations Security Council

29 May 2011
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African Union (Addis Ababa)
press release

Ghana’s former President and African Union High Representative for Somalia, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, visited Nairobi, Kenya, from 23 May 2011 to 27 May 2011, where he held meetings with the Somali President, H.E. Sheikh Shariff Sheikh Ahmed, the Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament, Sheikh Shariff Hassan Sheikh Aden, the Somali Prime Minister, H.E. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo”, and participated in a briefing on Somalia to a United Nations Security Council delegation.

In meetings with the Somali President, the Speaker of the Somali Parliament and the Somali Prime Minister, President Rawlings emphasized the need to work in harmony towards the smooth conclusion of the Transition established by the Mbagati peace process. President Rawlings expressed concern to the Somali parties that if they allow the momentum in the peace process to dissipate through divisiveness, then “we will lose the support of the international community”. He called for a win?win solution in the dispute over the elections, and expressed support for the upcoming consultative meeting to be held in Mogadishu, in June. “There is room for an agreement on the end of the transitional process and we should endeavor to narrow the differences”, he said.

The former President said that Somalia’s partners must also recognize and respect the need for candor. “If those of us attempting to assist Somalia achieve her human and national aspirations do not harmonize our intentions and actions, the Somalia road may prove to be even more slippery than it already is”, President Rawlings said. He called on all working towards peace in Somalia to harmonize their views and actions in order to avoid jeopardizing the peace process.

President Rawlings also called on the United Nations Security Council delegation to do more to assist the TFG, AMISOM, and to address the dire humanitarian crises in the country to avoid a catastrophe. He also appealed to the international community to do everything possible to avoid fragmenting Somalia and to keep Somalia intact a one Somalia.

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