Kenyan leader asks UN to protect progress gained in Somalia

President Mwai Kibaki has appealed to the United Nations mini-Summit on Somalia to send a clear warning and demonstrate resolve to take measures that include sanctions to protect the progress achieved and insulate the reconstruction of Somalia. Read (UN urges restraint in Kismayu offensive)

Noting that the transformation of Somalia requires effective coordination among national, regional and international actors in support of locally defined and owned programmes, Kibaki told the international community to watch out on individuals or actors intent on obstructing the peace-building process.

Kibaki asked the UN Security Council to incorporate a maritime component to the AMISOM mandate as well as include a training component for the Somalia security forces in order to facilitate a smooth handover by AMISOM and create an enabling environment for reconstruction and sustainable development.

President Kibaki was speaking during a Mini-Summit on Somalia at the United Nations General Assembly in New York that is co-hosted by UN secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the United Kingdom and Turkey.

Kibaki expressed hope that the summit would re-affirm the world’s commitment to get Somalia on the path to sustainable peace, stability and development and pledged Kenya’s unwavering support to the
people of Somalia as they embark on the reconstruction of their country.

He said lasting peace in Somalia was dependent on the determination of the Somali people to live together in harmony and the full commitment by the international community to facilitate quick socio-economic reconstruction and development.

He said that it was important to stabilise the areas liberated by AMISOM forces particularly South-Central Somalia and the roll-out of social services and restarting various economic activities
such as trade and agriculture.

Kibaki said swift rehabilitation would deny extremist groups opportunity to regroup and take advantage of people’s suffering.

“It will also facilitate the return of many Somali refugees from neighbouring countries to take part in rebuilding their livelihoods inside their country. That is a God-given responsibility and we must support it,” he said.

He reaffirmed that AMISOM forces and Ethiopia continued to support Somalia and have made significant progress in the military offensive against Al-Shabaab adding that Somalis and the international community should now take advantage of the military gains and safeguard the political process and transition.

“Today, the situation in Somalia presents the best opportunity ever for peace-building. As the UN embarks on efforts to develop a comprehensive reconstruction strategy for Somalia, it is important to work closely with neighbouring countries, IGAD and the African Union”, he said.

President Kibaki said the new political dispensation in Somalia was expected to be grounded on efforts in support of an effective and consistent government and rule of law such as creating governance
structures and institutions, up-scaling of national reconciliation activities, and offering support to conclude the constitutional process.

“Such efforts must be well coordinated, as a basis to bestow sufficient and sustainable legitimacy to the new government. They must enhance people’s participation in their governance and increase
Somali ownership and support for the new political system,” he said.

The Mini-Summit is expected to define priorities for peace building and stabilisation in Somalia and to ensure a coherent approach for international assistance in support of a Somali-led plan of action
including timelines for a donor conference.

It is also meant to support AMISOM beyond 2012 as well as to enhance efforts to rebuild the Somali security institutions.

These issues are crucial to enabling the new government of Somalia to provide social services to her people, especially those in areas recovered from Al-Shabaab and in turn enable the hundreds of thousands of refugees in Kenya to relocate to Somalia.

The Somali Government and AMISOM forces are advancing on Kismayu and other remaining key areas of Southern Somalia in a bid to clear the Al-Shabaab militants and gain control of the region.