THRUSDAY 11TH JUNE 2009
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The Council of Ministers of the Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic met today Thursday 11th of June at the Council of Ministers Office in Mogadishu and have discussed in detail the current situation of the Country and in particular assessed the Communiqué of the International Contact Group of 10th June, 2009. The Council has also discussed the joint statement released by the Representatives of UNHCR and UNICEF to Somalia.After thorough discussions on these issues, the Council of Ministers has decided the following:
1. The Council welcomed and supported the Communiqué of the International Contact Group of 10th June 2009.
2. In particular the Council welcomed :
A. the decision of the Government of Italy to reopen their Embassy in Mogadishu and appealed to other members of the international community to do the same as such measures enhance peace-building in Somalia.
B. the support of the ICG of the resolutions of IGAD and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union regarding the ban and blockade of all Airports and Seaports used by the Armed Somali groups and their foreign supporters as well as their appeal for urgent discussions on these matters and their specific request to impose sanctions on individuals, entities and states who are obstructing the peace process.
C. the appeal of the ICG to the United Nations and members of the International Community to return to Somalia in order to reopen their offices.
D. the condemnation of the ICG on the attempted overthrow of the legitimate Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic by extremist armed groups.
3. The Council of Ministers also expressed their deep concern on the substance and the tone of the Joint Statement released by the Nairobi-based Offices of the Representatives of UNHCR and UNICEF to Somalia. After discussions on the Joint Statement of UNHCR/UNICEF, the Council was disappointed that the statement of the Representatives of UNHCR and UNICEF did not distinguish the legitimate Government from the extremist armed groups led by foreign fighters.
· The Somali Government is of the firm belief that the Somali people is faced with serious humanitarian crisis, massive displacement, massacres, constant human rights violations. However the responsibility bears on the shoulders of those who rejected peace and their foreign criminal allies who want to use Somalia as new theatre of war at a time of great internal crisis.
· The Somali Government stands for return of peace and the rule of law, the welfare of the Somalis in dire need, protection of the rights of every citizen and it is the best hope for the return of good governance and should be supported by the International Community and the United Nations as promised in the Djibouti Peace process.
· The Somali Government welcomes any effort to investigate the human rights violations of the past and present committed against the Somali people and the present day human rights violations being perpetuated by those who rejected peace and stability in the capital Mogadisho and elsewhere. The Government is in the process of establishing institutions that will protect the human rights of the citizens under the Sharia and the international conventions.
· The Council condemns the use of child soldiers less than 18 years and is pained by their use for war. In particular the Council commended the operations of the Security Forces who freed 15 children who were abducted from their parents and who were on their way to be used by the criminal armed groups and their foreign supporters for suicide attacks and other armed confrontations.
· The Council viewed the Joint Statement of the Representatives of UNHCR and UNICEF as one that is not helpful for the return of an effective Governance and the rule of law in Somalia
Finally the Council expressed their dissatisfaction with the behavior of the two Representatives and considered their statement as an affront to the Government which is trying under difficult conditions to bring back peace and the rule of law. The statement seemed to the Council that it was an attempt to forestall and create new confusion at a time when the United Nations Agencies are being asked to return to Mogadishu
Appeal:
The Council of Ministers of the Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic appeals to the International Community to turn their pledges into reality particularly those on political, security, economic , humanitarian, reconstruction and development.
The Council further appeals to the International Agencies accredited to Somali Republic to reopen their offices in the capital Mogadishu so that effective cooperation with Government and an awareness of the current situation become possible