Somalia Perspectives for getting out of the crisis and building the state: the roles of the regional and international organizations

Transcription

1 Report Somalia Perspectives for getting out of the crisis and building the state: the roles of the regional and international organizations

2 SHS-2010/WS/5

3 Somalia Perspectives for getting out of the crisis and building the state: the roles of the regional and international organizations Report of the High-Level Round Table 8 November 2009 Djibouti Palace Kempinski Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti

4 The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Greater Horn Horizon Forum (GHHF) concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The authors are responsible for the choice and the presentation of the facts contained in this publication and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of the GHHF and do not commit the Forum. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the GHHF. Any communication concerning this publication may be addressed to: Greater Horn Horizon Forum (GHHF) Boulevard Cheik Osman 2632 Djibouti Republic of Djibouti Tel: / info@greater-horn-horizon.org Website: Any request for permission to reproduce or translate any material in the work should be directed to: info@greater-horn-horizon.org Cover and page layout: Mangaïa, Paris Greater Horn Horizon Forum, All rights reserved Printed in France 4

5 Contents Foreword 6 Introduction 8 Opening 10 Presentations 12 Statements and debates 14 Conclusions and recommendations 16 5

6 Foreword Launched by UNESCO in November 2007 and located in Djibouti, the Greater Horn Horizon Forum (GHHF) is an independent and autonomous research-policy Forum, bringing together scholars, intellectuals and other interested professionals (business community, media, youth associations, NGOs, etc.) from the Horn of Africa and the diaspora who actively participate in the analysis and quest for sustainable responses to the root problems of the region. The Forum aims at encouraging reflection on current and future challenges of the Greater Horn region (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda) through multi- and transdisciplinary policy research. More specifically, the Forum wishes to enhance capacities of researchers and policy-makers to anticipate future challenges and to formulate relevant policy responses in favour of sustainable development, regional integration and peaceful coexistence in the region. Indeed, anticipatory methodologies make it possible to go beyond the mainstream ideas and stereotyped analysis on the Greater Horn of Africa because they imply the integration of often neglected positive elements that could foster dialogues and reconciliation dynamics. The GHHF aims at promoting a new culture of dialogue and cooperation by supporting policy formulation for decision-makers. Three governing bodies supervise the Forum activities: The General Assembly, which is composed of all participating scholars and intellectuals having signed the Code of Conduct of the Forum and having regularly paid their membership fees. It meets every two years. The Executive Committee, which is elected by the General Assembly for four years to supervise the implementation of the activities of the Forum and is composed of members representing the seven countries of the Greater Horn region. The Executive Secretariat, which is appointed by the Executive Committee in order to ensure the day-to-day management of the Forum. The activities of the Forum are delineated as follows: Research and elaboration of thematic studies by regional experts focusing on crucial issues of the Horn of Africa, to be presented and discussed during specific seminars. 6

7 Organization of capacity-building workshops to review research on particularly relevant and timely issues essential in the Horn of Africa (i.e. citizenship, identity, regional integration, youth, etc.). Organization of research-policy seminars to assist local, national and regional policy-makers, as well as other relevant actors, in the implementation of policy recommendations as set out in the policy papers produced. Communication, including translation, publication and wide dissemination of the documents elaborated, also through radio and television broadcasting and the Forum website. Networking and partnership building The GHHF promotes contact, cooperation and synergy with similar forums or think tanks in Africa and other regions of the world, closely cooperating, inter alia, with IGAD, NEPAD and the African Union. *** On 8 November 2009 in Djibouti, the Greater Horn Horizon Forum and UNESCO convened a High-Level Round Table on the Somali crisis and the perspectives of regional and international organizations for overcoming the crisis and rebuilding the state. The present brochure contains a brief overview of the Round Table. Foreword 7

8 Introduction The situation in Somalia, until recently considered a local conflict, today represents a challenge to all of the regional and international players and requires a concerted response that takes into account the strategic errors of the past and changing complex socio-political parameters. What are the prospects for rising out of the crisis and rebuilding? And, in the process, what role can regional and international organizations play? A High-Level Round Table on the prospects for emerging from the crisis in Somalia was organized by the Greater Horn Horizon Forum (GHHF), in collaboration with UNESCO, on 8 November 2009 at the Djibouti Palace Kempinski, in Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti. The Round Table was moderated by Mr Pierre Sané, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, and Mr Abdel Ghaffar Ahmed, Chair of the Executive Committee of the GHHF. Speakers included H.E. Mr Ali Abdi Farah, Minister of Culture and Communication, Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Mr Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Djibouti; Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Somalia; Mr Mahboub M. Maalim, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD); Mr El Ghassim Wane, Director of the Peace and Security Department of the African Union, and representatives of the diplomatic missions posted in Djibouti. This Round Table, which brought together more than 100 participants, took place simultaneously with other events initiated by the Forum such as the research conference on the theme Identity, Citizenship and Regional Integration in the Horn of Africa held on 8 and 9 November 2009, and the Policy Dialogue between the Business Community and the Greater Horn Horizon Forum on 7 November The High-Level Round Table represented a genuine watershed in the approach to the Somali crisis, as for the very first time, the United Nations, the African Union, IGAD, the Somali diaspora and the region s intellectuals came together in a spirit of dialogue and consultation in pursuit of increased involvement of relevant stakeholders in the promotion of peace and development in Somalia and the region. 8

9 From left to right: Mr Abdel Ghaffar Ahmed, Mr Pierre Sané, H.E. Mr Ali Abdi Farah, H.E. Mr Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Mr El Ghassim Wane, Mr Mahboub M. Maalim and Mr Isami Takeda. On page 11 also appear H.E. Mr Masaki Noke (speaking) and next to him H.E. Mr Rachad Farah, Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti to France, and on page 13 (speaking), H.E. Mr Dominique Decherf. Introduction 9

10 Opening In his opening address, Mr Pierre Sané, the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, began by thanking the Djibouti, Japanese and French governments and all of the participants for their support and commitment to Somalia, while recalling the African, regional and international dimension of the situation in Somalia. In addition, he underscored the crucial role of intellectuals in the pursuit of a better future for the Horn of Africa, as peace was built through dialogue and the sharing of scientific knowledge. In doing so, he stated that the Round Table primarily aimed to adopt a forward-looking approach. In his introductory speech, Mr Abdel Ghaffar Ahmed, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Greater Horn Horizon Forum, expressed his hope that the debates and discussions at the Round Table would provide food for thought on the situation in Somalia. He also restated the determination of the Forum of intellectuals to reflect on possible ways of emerging from the crisis and to engage in discussions for peace. H.E. Mr Dominique Decherf, Ambassador of France to Djibouti, said that he was gratified that the Forum of intellectuals was a long-term undertaking. Furthermore, he highlighted the commitment of France and the European Union to restore the Somali state, in particular by training Somali security forces. In addition, he emphasized that in the fight for stability in Somalia, it was necessary to win over hearts and minds, and in doing so, he encouraged intellectuals to join forces and take action to promote the spread of culture of peace values, which were in themselves defences against extremism. H.E. Mr Masaki Noke, Ambassador of Japan to Djibouti, stated that he was pleased to have contributed to the launch and operation of the Greater Horn Horizon Forum, reiterating Japan s commitment to the sustainable development and stability of the region. He also referred to Japan s involvement in the fight against maritime piracy through cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and technical support to countries of the region. 10

11 He further called on intellectuals to examine the problems relating to peace, security, the role of the state and civil society and regional identity. H.E. Mr Ali Abdi Farah, Minister of Culture and Communication, Republic of Djibouti, stated that his country was proud to host the headquarters of the Greater Horn Horizon Forum, whose mission in the service of peace and dialogue, in letter and in spirit, coincided with the aims of the peoples of the region. He also thanked UNESCO for its commitment to intellectuals and its support to the Forum. The minister also acknowledged the active role of Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative of the United Nation Secretary-General for Somalia, in resolving the Somali crisis and appealed for greater assistance from IGAD countries to Somalia, particularly by reinforcing the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops. He went on to state that Somalia had entered a difficult phase in its fight for freedom and stability, which deserved the attention and support of the international community by building the institutional and operational capacity of the legitimately elected Somali Government. Opening 11

12 Presentations Presentations were made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti, H.E. Mr Mahmoud Ali Youssouf; the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Somalia, Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah; the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Mr Mahboub M. Maalim; and the representative of the African Union, Mr El Ghassim Wane. In his statement, H.E. Mr Mahmoud Ali Youssouf acknowledged the achievements of the Greater Horn Horizon Forum which had become a strategic arena for reflection and thought. With regard to the question of Somalia, the minister enumerated preconditions for emerging from the crisis: security and check-point reinforcement in Mogadishu with participatory management involving the population, reopening of United Nations agencies and bilateral partners offices, multilateral joint action with neighbouring countries buttressed by the will of the Somali people, and neutralization of external and internal spoilers. He also evoked positive aspects such as agricultural potential, the abundance of raw materials and the vitality of the Somali diaspora. The Executive Secretary of IGAD, Mr Mahboub M. Maalim, recalled the frontrunning role of IGAD in the resolution of the Somali crisis and drew attention to three constraints: the fragility and volatility of the securitysituation in Somalia, the problem of displaced persons and maritime piracy. Faced with these challenges, he recommended strengthening the capacities of the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in order to reinstate the rule of law and regulate current malfunctions. He also appealed for the essential issues on Somalia to be addressed, in particular the transformation of Somalia over the last twenty years and its development and future. In his address, Mr El Ghassim Wane of the African Union put forward the following lines of action to resolve the Somali crisis. First, a political approach by means of the pursuit and intensification of inter-somali dialogue, building on the Djibouti process, the success of which hinges on, and belongs to, the Somali people. Second, enhancement of the AMISOM operation, both in terms of strength and equipment and further mobilization for the deployment of a United Nations operation that would take over from AMISOM and support long-term stabilization ad reconstruction of Somalia. Sanctions against spoilers, the fight against piracy, based on the understanding that the action to be undertaken in this respect should be holistic and address such issues as the protection of the Somali coast and be integrated with the overall search for peace in Somalia. Third, the reconstruction effort: in that regard, the African Union would assess the means of strengthening TFG capacities; and lastly, a regional approach through integration, development of infrastructure and dialogue between the Greater Horn countries. 12

13 He further stated that it was necessary to capitalize on the current momentum to promote the struggle for peace in the light of such favourable parameters as TFG determination and the presence of AMISOM, not to mention international awareness, which was stronger than ever. Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary- General for Somalia, said in his statement that the Somali people were not condemned to anarchy, establishing a parallel with the cases of Liberia, Burundi and Rwanda, which had set out again on the road to peace after devastating civil wars. He also pointed out that the solutions lay in the ability of the Somali people to find the mainsprings which constituted the common basis of their identity and to promote their common good and collective interest. In that respect, he stressed the importance of respecting the Djibouti Peace Agreements which had permitted the election of President Sheik Sharif, unanimously recognized by the international community, and asserted that the time for talks was now over and that it was henceforth necessary to tackle the immense task of reconstructing Somalia side by side with the Somali people, their government and regional organizations such as IGAD. To that end, Mr Ould-Abdallah also encouraged the Somali people in their efforts to seek peace and argued for increased and sustained support from the international community to the TFG and AMISOM, which were working for the stabilization of Somalia. Furthermore, he launched the idea of a security green zone around Mogadishu, into which an international presence could be established to help support the operations of the government. Presentations 13

14 Statements and debates Following the presentations, the participants shared their analyses, concerns and thoughts in the course of a lively debate and fruitful exchanges. The Ambassador of the United States of America to Djibouti, H.E. Mr James Swan, expressed the unreserved support of the United States for Somalia and for its government in re-establishing civil concord and the fight against terrorism and piracy. He also highlighted the fact that the United States was the principal donor of bilateral funds and was highly engaged in capacity-building in Somalia and in support for the regional organizations entrusted with accompanying the process of stabilizing and developing Somalia. The Ambassador of Sudan to Djibouti, H.E. Mr Hassan El Talib, drew attention to a number of worrying problems such as the pollution of Somali waters by the dumping of international toxic waste and overfishing off the coast of Somalia which have been under way for a long time with impunity, warning of the feeling of exasperation of the Somali people over those abuses, and also called for harmonization of international and regional assistance. Professor Isami Takeda of Dokkyo University in Japan, who was entrusted with the Round Table commentary, began by commending the quality and relevance of the presentations and speeches. He pointed to three core components of the Somali conflict that fuelled anarchy and the political economy of war: piracy, arms trafficking and the lack of infrastructures and industries. He also stressed that industrial development, in particular of the fisheries sector, would foster economic growth and offer an alternative to the recruitment of young people into piracy. One of the speakers, a native of Somaliland, Ms Sadia Mousse Ahmed, proposed that the Somali parliament use Garowe in Puntland for its meetings as Puntland is part of Somalia, and launched the idea of making Garowe the provisional capital of the country on account of the instability currently prevailing in Mogadishu. She also advocated stronger involvement of women in building peace. 14

15 Mr Abdi Kusow, professor at Iowa State University, stressed the crucial role of the people of Somalia and its diaspora in resolving the conflict. Mr Abdinur Mohamud of Ohio Department of Education, Otterbein College, and Mr Sisay Asefa, professor at Western Michigan University, agreed with this analysis and stated that the Somali people should take back control of their destiny and work together to get their country back on its feet. Furthermore, several researchers, such as Mr Mohamed Salih, professor at the Institute of Social Studies, the Netherlands, highlighted the transformation of the Somali conflict and the emergence of new rationales and new dynamics in the conflict, and proposed that these new paradigms be studied for a better understanding of the Somali question. Some panellists levelled criticisms at the African Union, the United Nations and the neighbouring countries, mentioning interference in Somali affairs. In reply to the questions and criticisms raised by participants, Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah and the representatives of the regional organizations of the African Union and IGAD made several points: freedom of opinion was essential for dialogue, but criticisms should be rational and accusations should be well substantiated. The Somali question was everyone s business as the Somali tragedy spoke to everyone s conscience. IGAD recognized the need for a new approach with a regional prism. The African Union was committed to improving communication between AMISOM and the Somali people in order to avoid misunderstandings and mistrust of international intervention. For its part, the United Nations was determined to continue the dialogue with civil society and the Somali diaspora with a view to furthering the constructive factors that distinguished interference from engagement. Mr Georges Colot, a Ugandan researcher teaching at the University of Versailles in France, maintained that the criticisms were certainly constructive but that it was above all necessary to think of the solidarity which was owed to the Somali people, affected by a deadly conflict. He also expressed pride that his country, Uganda, had contributed to the AMISOM troops engaged in the combat for the freedom of the Somali people. Statements and debates 15

16 Conclusions and recommendations At the conclusion of their discussions, the participants agreed on the need to adopt a new approach to the Somali question in terms of how the various multilateral and bilateral initiatives already under way at the international, continental and regional levels would gain in effectiveness through better polling of efforts, resources and experiences. In addition, a consensus was reached on international support for the Somali Government (TFG), which was essential for financing the security and the development of Somalia. During the discussions and speeches, the common will to further develop linkages between policy-makers and researchers emerged. Such cooperation should be given concrete expression through a research agenda, with the resulting studies and analyses presented in the form of practical recommendations to the states of the region. The research themes identified would relate in particular to the transformation of the Somali conflict, the future of the Somali state, religious fundamentalism and the role of youth in regional integration. The members of the Greater Horn Horizon Forum also spoke of their determination to continue their work of analysis and reflection on peace, development and regional stability, while at the same time engaging in dialogue with other components of civil society such as universities, non-governmental organizations and the media in the region. Finally, participants expressed satisfaction at the considerable support and mobilization that the Round Table had generated, highlighting the global relevance of the Somali conflict because of its international resonance and repercussions, and underlining the need to bear in mind our human bond with the Somali people, who have been hostage to war for almost twenty years. 16

17 Acknowledgement The Greater Horn Horizon Forum wishes to express its profound appreciation to UNESCO for its efforts in establishing the Forum and for its constant support in the implementation of the GHHF activities. The Forum also wishes to warmly thank all those who have supported its action so far: the Government of the Republic of Djibouti, the Japan Funds-in-Trust, the French Gouvernment, IGAD, ISESCO and SIDA-SAREC. It is hoped that the GHHF can continue to count on their support, as well as that of other donors. Special thanks go to the rapporteur of the High-Level Round Table on Somalia, Ms Degmo Ali Abdi, researcher in political science at the Thucydides Center for International Relations Studies, Pantheon Assas University, Paris, specializing on the question of Conflict transformation in Somalia and effects of international intervention. Conclusions and recommendations 17

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