An agreement had been reached by
the Somalia Federal Government and Jubaland Administration in Addis Ababa today
after lengthy talks facilitated by Ethiopia. The finalized agreement on the
nature, name and structure of the federal state in the south of Somalia will be
signed tomorrow.
Since Somali government opposed
the result of the process in which Jubaland people elected the president and
vice-president on May 15, 2013, Somali people interested peaceful solution of
the impasse were waiting the recommendation by the IGAD technical committees
who met both the government representatives in Mogadishu and Jubaland official
and the opposition group in Kismayo.
First, in term constitutionality
of the process in which Jubaland 500 elders elected president, committees found
both groups’ claims were based on different interpretations of the constitution
since the provisional constitution did not define properly how to go by forming
regional states.
Committees did not find faulty in
either claims by Government officials reasoning on why the process was not
constitutional nor did they find incorrect in the reasoning by the Jubaland
official of the constitutionality of their process since there were a lope
holes in the provisional federal constitution of Somalia. As result, committees
urged both the government officials and parliament to clarify those articles
relating to formation of the regional administration and the government’s role.
Second in term of inclusiveness
in the process, the committee found that the major clans in Jubaland state
participated in the process but some minority group were missing from the scene
and urged the government to take a leadership role in reconciliation process to
insure the process is inclusive.
However, Jubaland officials
insisted the process was inclusive and is open to be included anyone willing to
participate peacefully and will insure the minority group will be included to
be members of both parliament and ministerial positions being elected in coming
weeks.
Finally, in term of government
taking leadership role in the process, IGAD committees found that the
government did not participate in the process of forming regional
administration even though they were invited several time and Jubaland official
is still offering government to participate in the process and to take its
role.
As result, IGAD committees
recommended that since Jubaland officials acknowledged the need of the
government’s leadership role in the process, IGAD official is calling on all
Jubaland stakeholders to participate reconciliation meeting being planned to be
held in Mogadishu by Somali federal government to find final solution through
dialogue.
It was reported that Jubaland
officials accepted all the recommendation by the IGAD committees including
participating conference in which Somali Federal Government is being planned to
be held in Mogadishu to come up solution in which Government would take its
leadership role.
IGAD government members and
international communities are aware that after over 20 years in conflict in
Somalia, the only solution forward to attaining lasting solution in Somalia is
through dialogue among Somali stakeholders led by the government official based
on the provisional constitution.
It hard to understand that why
now President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon,
after obtaining recognition and financial aid by the international community,
seem to want solve any issue though their own interpretation of the provisional
constitution of Somalia where even few days ago, President called on Somaliland
that it is a time to come to Mogadishu and unite rest of Somalia seemingly
forgetting the on-going negotiation between Somalia and Somaliland in order to
reach final solution.
It is known by all that Somali
people will no longer accept any governor sent from Mogadishu to run their
affairs and Somali people expect the government to implement provisional constitution
and encourage any two or more regions trying to form regional administration.
IGAD and Aminson
troops committed to support
Somali government to implement national stabilization plan through serious
dialogue among all stakeholders.
All in all the voices of Somali
people have been heard and Somalia’s leaders have reached an agreement. First,
I want to congratulate both negotiating teams for their extraordinary service
and their determination to reach a compromise that is acceptable to all sides.
The people of Somalia everywhere should be thankful for this agreement. I
always believed that we are capable overcoming our problems and putting the
interest of Somalia ahead of the interest of clan or personal. Now that both
the federal government and Jubaland administration have made serious
commitment, we Somali people must help them to make it work. I want to thank
the Ethiopia government, IGAD and the international community for their role of
making this peace agreement possible.
Peace Guul Somalia.
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