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Somalia Solution Conference
Topic Started: Oct 9 2014, 03:25 AM (43 Views)
winisle
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Kenya would like to open a working conference on how to help resolve the ongoing crisis in Somalia, a solution that goes beyond the AMISOM and the attempted pacification of Al-Shabaab and the various warlords that is currently calling Somalia their home.

As we stated in the United Nations, the following has been identified as the driving forces behind the problems in Somalia:
(i) Poverty, illiteracy and high rate of unemployment among the youth and the general population, which render them vulnerable to the manipulative messages of terrorist groups
and their promises of quick gain;
(ii) Poor working conditions, insufficient training and discipline of law enforcement personnel that make them easy prey for corruption;
(iii) The search for safe havens and refuge by criminal networks in a zone characterized by vast territorial expanses, low and insufficient security coverage and administrative presence;
(iv) The quest for new sources of funding, especially through smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal migration;
(v) The need to conquer new areas for recruitment and redeployment with the objective of expanding the confrontation field beyond their traditional zone of operations;
(vi) Government institutional weaknesses and the existence of long stretches of porous, largely ill-monitored and poorly controlled borders, which, combined with vast, ill‐administered spaces
of territory, facilitate illegal cross-border movement of people and goods and provide fertile ground for exploitation by terrorists and transnational organized criminals

Some issues are purely domestic issues where Somalia needs to be the driving force, but Kenya is prepared to render any assistance, within reason, that Somalia is in need of. Some issues are more regional in nature, and as such more suited for a common approach and solution.

It is also our belief that, if the African Union can present a roadmap for a solution, the western world, and/or Asian nations, will be more willing to help fund and assist in such a solution.
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DK_FROGGY
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We applaud the Kenyan government for bringing up this topic within the African Union, as well as proposing an African Union roadmap to prompt more international involvement.

While we do agree with the six driving forces presented by Kenya, we believe some are interconnected. In our view, there are two major factors:

1. Government institutional weakness. This stems from mistrust in government and internal conflicts between various factions and groups vying for power. The result is the lack of rule of law.
2. An incredibly weak economy, leading to desperation, crime, and extremism.

Solving these two problems would go a long way towards a more stable Somalia and an elimination of most of the problems. It is important to note that this will not break down Al-Shabaab, but it might help prevent others like them in the future.

We are currently in talks with various faction leaders, clan leaders and elders from various parts of Somalia, trying to find a solution to the institutional weakness. As you are all aware, Somalia recently became a Federated Republic with the intention of having semi-autonomous Federal Member States. This system has not yet been fully developed, which is what we are trying to do. We hope and believe that this process will strengthen the government both federally and on local state-levels, which would be an incredible step towards rule of law and the presence of stability. In line with this, we acknowledge that the Federal and State-level government institutions would benefit immensely from advice from foreign experts. They could help establish transparent institutions and good governance principles, diminishing the problems with corruption. In addition, having foreign police experts train the Somali Police Force would raise our abilities in terms of crime fighting and law enforcement.

In terms of the economy, our country is an a dire situation. Poverty, hunger, diseases, and lack of basic infrastructure, such as clean water, sanitation, and electricity, are all at high levels. We believe that we need to go in two directions, at the same time receiving immediate aid and long-term investments. Food and medicine would save a lot of lives at the moment. Improving the infrastructure and investing in agriculture and industry would allow our nation to supply its own food and grow richer. We do not, however, possess the economic strength to perform these investments ourselves and are, as such, heavily dependent on foreign investments.

Which leads us to our last point, that of Al-Shabaab. As long as they exist, foreigners are hesitant to invest in our country. We must drive the insurgents out by force. We truly appreciate the role AMISOM is playing in this, but would also benefit from a stronger Somali Armed Forces. Receiving aid in increasing and improving our military abilities would help us battle Al-Shabaab and deter any other future insurgents from rising up. We lack both equipment and training and would benefit immensely from both.

Thank you again for bringing up this topic. We would appreciate any comments, ideas, or concerns of the other delegates.
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winisle
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Kenya is eagerly looking forward to seeing a constitutionally more stable Somalia, and we hope that this will in turn promote more and better international investments into the Somali economy.
We wonder, how much is the Arab League, of which we believe Somalia to be a member, doing to aid Somalia in its current situation? Can the Joint Defence and Economic Co-operation Treaty be utilized to bring the considerable economic and military power of nations such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt to aid Somalia in a more direct fashion? It looks clear to Kenya that Article 7 could, and perhaps should, be used to bring the aid of the Arab League on economic development, while it can be argued that Somalia is currently facing an act of armed aggression, and as such, the signatories of the Joint Defence and Economic Co-operation Treaty is bound by treaty to come to the military aid of Somalia.

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iceviking
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Hailemariam Desalegn

Prime Minister of Ethiopia


We agree and applaud the Kenyan effort and fully support this solution. As large contributor to AMISOM. We believe that the world needs to stop ignoring the situation in Somalia. The West is only interested in the piracy side as its effects their economies, but are unwilling to give full support to the TFG. We are willing to assist Somalia in various fields of law enforcement, searching safe havens and also trade.
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Jos1311
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Head Admin
Posted Image
Posted Image سامح شكري | Sameh Shoukry
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt

Representatives,

Cairo is optimistic with the developments it is witnessing in Somalia, however lately the progress has seemed to have stalled. I would like to invite the Somalian delegation to inform us on the recent status of the situation in the country, and tell us what the plans and schedules are for the near future.
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