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June
3, 2005
For
Immediate Release:
The
ongoing process to pacify the troubled capital of Somalia,
Mogadishu, deserves support from both the Somali Communities in
Diaspora and the International Community. The process is a
necessary step in restoring security to the lawless country in
general and, in the capital city in particular. President
Abdullahi Yusuf and Prime Minister Ali Ghedi should not only
commend it but should also consider it as first sign of prolonged
hope in relocating the TFG inside Somalia. The pacification
process, if successfully executed, will, undoubtedly, put an end
to the ugly disunity among the maiden Transitional Federal
Government (TFG) and thus has the potential to save the outcome of
a two-year long National Reconciliation Conference in Kenya.
The
TFG's support for the pacification of Mogadishu is particularly
critical in light of the following reasons:
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Mogadishu's status
as the capital of Somalia is deeply engraved in the soul of
all Somalis, a fact that is reiterated in the new Transitional
Federal Charter. Moreover, any attempt to change this status,
even temporarily, threatens to unravel the already fragile
reconciliation process.
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The proposed
relocation to Jowhar and Biadoa is both unconstitutional and
clearly unviable. The most recent events in and around Biadoa
demonstrate that Biadoa is, if anything, less peaceful than
Mogadishu itself, granted that Mogadishu’s dislocation
rationale was instability, while Jowhar virtually lacks the
structural infrastructures to host the TFG and its
institutions.
The
International Community, spearheaded by the US, EU, UN, The Arab
League and The Islamic Conference welcomed the Mogadishu
pacification process. For many years, Mogadishu leaders were seen
as a major obstacle to peace initiatives in Somalia, including
Arta in 2000. Quite the contrary, they are now encompassed in the
TFG and voluntarily unified their militias for the first time.
Therefore, all of us should have a foreseeable reason to believe
that they are, unlike anytime in the past, genuinely interested to
pacify the capital for the relocation of TFG.
The
TFG has spent seven lackluster months in exile. The Somali MP's in
Kenya have been thrown out of lodges several times for unpaid
hotel bills and even detained by the Kenyan police force. The
costly TFG presence in Kenya is, for that matter, categorically
unnecessary. One account estimates that TFG spends a million
dollar per month in Nairobi between lodging, food and
transportation. A quarter of that amount can conveniently cover
the TFG operations in Mogadishu a month. Kenyan Press has, on more
than one occasion, spoken volumes about how Kenyan Government is
growing impatient with regard to the prolonged presence of the TFG
in Kenya. Many analysts are also pointing out to the hidden price
the TFG is paying in losing its momentum with the Somali people as
it continues to be exiled in Nairobi.
It
is time for President Yusuf and Prime Minister Ghedi to jump on
the wagon and commend Mogadishu pacification efforts. By now, we
hope, the President has realized that financial support from the
International Community is contingent onto the relocation of TFG
to Somalia. The President and the Prime Minister should redeem
this opportunity and haul the TFG branches to Mogadishu
expeditiously.
Mogadishu
inhabitants, on the other hand, welcomed the TFG relocation to
their war torn city as manifested by the warm reception both Ghedi
and the Speaker of the House experienced during their recent
visits to the city. Long lines of people standing on the dusty
streets of Somalia for longer periods waving green leafs and
chanting patriotic songs have been the theme for every high level
visit to the city. This should inspire the President and the Prime
Minister to spearhead the relocation to Mogadishu. The fear factor
insinuating in the President and the Prime Minister’s hearts is
unfound.
Once
the relocation stalemate is resolved, the other revolving issue
pertaining to Frontline Troops Deployment becomes automatically
immaterial. This, in our view, is the last chance for the
President and the Prime Minister to rescue the TFG on the impasse
over its relocation. Events of the last few weeks are serious
pretexts in failing the TFG.
Being
maiden itself, the TFG can't afford significant convulsion such as
the last one where two opposing blocks head opposite directions.
The international community can neither afford to ignore Somalia
nor can the Somali people live without a functioning apparatus any
longer. We urge the President and the Prime Minister to grasp this
golden opportunity delivered on a silver plate and compromise this
issue for the interest of greater Somalia. We equally urge
Mogadishu leaders and the Speaker of the House to pave the road
and publicize national reception in Mogadishu for the President,
the Prime Minister and the remaining MP's in Nairobi.
Failure
to compromise on the relocation for Mogadishu will inevitably be
subversive to the TFG. At stake is a two year-long reconciliation
efforts sponsored by the International Community. Unlike in the
past, the world community is fatigued towards Somalia’s
never-ending unrest and may never broker another reconciliation
attempt. Meanwhile, hindering Mogadishu pacification efforts, or
mislabeling it, is unproductive and may encourage destructive
elements to interpret the move as grounds for calling off the TFG.
If nothing else, the pacification fruits will collaterally benefit
the residents of Mogadishu whose lives were shattered by years of
warlordism and instability.
Somali
Intellectuals:
1.
Professor Ali Khalif Galayr, Minnesota. USA (Former Prime
Minister)
2.
Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed Addow, Washington DC, USA (Former US
Ambassador)
3.
Hussein Mataan, Minnesota, USA (Former Attorney General)
4.
Avv. Sheikh Hassan Jaamici, Minnesota, USA (U.S Commission
of Civil Rights)
5.
Dr. Hussein Egal, Minnesota. USA (Medical Doctor)
6.
Dr. Said Isse Mohamud, Maine. USA (Somali Scholar)
7.
Prof. Abdirahim Hagi Mohamed, Toronto, Canada (Somali
Scholar)
8.
Prof. Sidow Abdi Mohamed. Minnesota, USA (University of
Minnesota)
9.
Dr. Abdulqasim Mohamud Ali. Minnesota, USA (Medical Doctor)
10.
Mr. Ahmed Omar “Keli”, Maine. USA (Somali Intellectual)
11.
Dr. Abdulkadir Ali Egal, Maine. USA (Somali Scholar &
Former UNDP Officer)
12.
Sheikh Ali Mo’allim Musse, Kansas City, USA (Islamic
Scholar)
13.
Abdillahi Mohamud Hirad, USA (Former Minister)
14.
Abdullahi Nur Osman, U.K (Accountant and Community Leader)
15.
Farhan Ali Ahmed, U.K (Community Activist – London Metro)
16.
Abdullahi Mo’allim Abdi “Cirro” (Poet)
17.
Ibrahim Abikar, Minnesota. USA ( Pilot)
18.
Abdulqadir Mohamed Addow, Minnesota. USA (Somali
Intellectual)
19.
Said Sheikh, Wisconsin. USA (PhD Candidate, University of
Wisconsin)
20.
Abdirahman Waberi, Washington DC. USA (Writer)
21.
Mohamed Adan “Tiiceey”, Minnesota. USA (Graduate
Student: Activist)
22.
Sheikh Mohamed Garyare, Canada (Islamic Scholar)
23.
Halima Ibrahim, Minnesota (Peace Activist)
24.
Eng. Abdullahi Anshur,
Minnesota (Peace Activist)
25.
Mohamed Hassan “Sandheere”, Minnesota. USA (Graduate
Student: Activist)
26.
Mohamed Hussien “Gudbaye”, Minnesota. USA (Graduate
Student: Activist)
27.
Abdullahi Kulmiye, Minnesota. USA (Student Activist)
28.
Abdirahman Jahweyn, Minnesota. USA (Student Activist)
29.
Abdi-hashi Hussien, California. USA (Somali Entrepreneur)
30.
Fadumo Mohamed, Minnesota. USA (Women Activist)
31.
Mohamed Shariif, Minnesota. USA (Community Leader)
32.
Dr. Ismail Hassan, Minnesota. USA (Medical Doctor)
33.
Abdirahman Aynte, Minnesota. USA (Somali Journalist)
34.
Afyare Abdi Elmi, Canada (Somali Journalist)
35.
Mustaf Sheikh Yusuf, Texas. USA (Businessman)
36.
Fadumo Abdullahi, Washington DC. USA (Somali Author)
37.
Liban Abdi Ali, Arizona. USA (Teacher)
38.
Gen. Ismail Ahmed Ismail, USA (Former Correctional Division
Chief)
39.
Hussein Warsame, Virginia. USA (Somali Intellectual)
40.
Abdullahi Nur Mohamed “Jowhar”, USA (US Sahan TV
Coordinator)
41.
Mohamed Abukar Ali, Minnesota USA (Businessman)
42.
Mohamed Abdi Elmi, Minnesota. USA (Entrepenuer)
43.
Eng. Hassan Mohamed Hassan, Minnesota (Teacher)
44.
Eng. Khalif Farah Hayow, Minnesota, USA (Businessman)
45.
Eng. Hassan Warsame, Minnesota, USA
46.
Col. Hassan Warsame, Minnesota, USA (Former Senior Officer)
47.
Col. Hassan Korneyl, Minnesota, USA (Former Senior Officer)
48.
Daahir Diiriye Qooryare, Minnesota. USA
49.
Raage Abdullahi Addawe, Minnesota, USA (Student Activist)
50.
Yasin E. Garad, Minnesota, USA (Student & Community
Activist)
51.
Abdullahi Abdi Mohamed, U.K (Secretary of Somali Concern
Group)
52.
Dr. Dahir Maalin Sabriye, U.K (Associate Professor – St.
Mary’s University)
53.
Eng. Abikhadar Omar Yusuf “Daadirow”, Minnesota, USA
54.
Said Kahiye, Minnesota, USA (Student Activist)
55.
Ali Hassan Osman “Xoogsade”, Minnesota USA (Somali
Intellectual)
56.
Mohamed Mukhtar Ibrahim, London. UK (Somali Intellectual)
57.
Mohamed Abdulkadir Sh. Osman. Atlanta, USA (Businessman)
58.
Abdulkadir Ahmed Alasow. Minnesota, USA (Somali
Intellectual)
59.
Ali Shiddo Farah. Oregon, USA (Businessman)
60.
Haji Abdullahi Roble Jimale. Minnesota, USA (Peace
Activist)
61.
Abdi Mohamed Mohamud. Minnesota, USA (Student Activist)
62.
Boqor Abdi Shire Halane. Minnesota, USA (Peace Activist)
63.
Hasanen Mohamud. Minnesota, USA (Professional Social
Worker)
64.
Sahra Said Ahmed. Washington DC, USA (Teacher)
65.
Kayse Suldaan Salah. Lodon, U.K (Businessman)
66.
Eng. Mayow Mohamed Mo’ow. London, U.K (Civil Engineer)
67.
Eng. Jamal Abdi Abbas. London, U.K (Peace Activist)
68.
Drs. Maryan Abdulle Osman. Australia (Medical Doctor)
69.
Prof. Abdinur Elmi Farah. Australia (Somali Scholar)
70.
Sheikh Mohamed Sh. Hashi. Australia (Islamic Scholar)
Distributed
by Somaaljecel News and Entertainment Network
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