STATEMENT BY KENYA DELEGATION DURING THE IGAD COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING  IN JOWHAR-SOMALIA ON 29^TH NOVEMBER 2005

 

Your Excellency Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, President of the Transitional Federal Government of the Somalia Republic.

 

Your Excellency Ali Mohamed Gedi, Prime Minister, distinguished ministers and senior officials of the TFG. The Governor of the Middle Shabelle region, the Mayor of Jowhar.Distinguished members of the council of ministers of IGAD, representatives of Inter-governmental Organizations, observers, ladies and gentlemen,

 

Allow me at the outset to express on behalf of the Kenya delegation our profound delight at being present at this historic gathering here in Jowhar, the temporary seat of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. Indeed this is unprecedented momentous occasion and I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the TFG for the excellent arrangements and for the warm hospitality since our arrival.

Mr. Chairman

This session of the council has very special significance in our common efforts to find a lasting and durable peace in Somalia. Our coming here has demonstrated the unswerving commitment of IGAD member states to walk the full journey to ensure that sufficient political confidence necessary to guarantee and consolidate peace is sustained. It also represents an overwhelming endorsement of the efforts so far undertaken by the TFG to restore peace and stability in most parts of the country since it relocated.

Mr. Chairman

In his farewell remarks at state house Nairobi on 13^th June 2005, president Mwai Kibaki appealed to all the Somalia leaders to put aside their differences and unite for the sake of realizing the aspiration of Somalia people to rebuild their country. The president re-affirmed Kenya’s strong commitment to help Somali people and their government in their odious task to recovery. Toward this end, I am pleased to announce that plans are at an advanced stage to launch the Joint Commission of Co-Operation established under the Framework Agreement between the two governments signed on 6^th September 2005. The GOK has also approved the immediate establishment of a representative office in Jowhar.

Mr. Chairman

At the last meeting held on 12^th  June 2005 in Nairobi, the IGAD Council restated its resolve to decisively deal with any spoilers, whether Individuals or groups that persist in subverting the peace process. Time has come for the council to make real this promise by enforcing this resolution. On her part Kenya will no longer tolerate or give sanctuary to those individuals who openly breach the charter and continue to defy IGAD. Those bent on undermining progress so far achieved must be held individually accountable. In this regard, neither will Kenya allow its territory to be used by these spoilers nor their supporters to disseminate and spread false, hostile and inciting propaganda against their own legitimate institutions and government.

The people of Somalia should not be held hostage by people whose only motive is to promote their selfish and narrow interests. The message from this meeting must therefore be clear and decisive: That IGAD member countries acting individually and collectively will not stand and watch its effort undermined or derailed. As a country we will not hesitate to take decisive punitive measures including the application of targeted sanctions to enforce the will of the Somalia people.

Mr. Chairman

As we have stated in the past, any remaining outstanding differences amongst Somalia leaders should be resolved through dialogue in the spirit of flexibility and accommodation.

 In this regard we are encouraged by efforts being pursued by the leaders themselves to engage one another without pre-conditions, within the framework of the established institutions. We urge the TFG to intensify these efforts, you have our unflagging support.

Mr. Chairman

The post conflict peace building and reconstruction of Somalia cannot be achieved unless there is timely and generous support in form of resources from the international community. As the principle peace sponsor, IGAD must play a pivotal role through its secretariat to mobilize and call international attention to critical and urgent needs of Somalia. This means that the secretariat must face up to this challenge more proactively than it has been doing in the past.

Mr. Chairman

The recent attack on the Prime Minister and his officials in Mogadishu, which left a number of people dead and others injured demonstrated most amply that the enemies of peace still pose a severe challenge. We wish to join others in condemning this cowardly act.  As stated by president Kibaki in his message of sympathy, Kenya will continue to stand firm in solidarity with the people of Somalia in her unshaken resolve to support the TFG and its quest to fulfill the will of the majority of her people who yearn for peace, security and economic development.

Thank You.