General Duke Posted March 20, 2007 Envoy asks Somalis to return Ambassador says diaspora's expertise `more precious than money' in rebuilding country battered by violence since 1991 Mar 19, 2007 04:30 AM Surya Bhattacharya STAFF REPORTER A top Somali envoy says his war-ravaged country needs more than just international funds to rebuild – it needs its people back. Abdikarin Farah, Somalia's ambassador to the African Union and Ethiopia, is urging the diaspora to return and contribute funds and skills to rebuild basic public institutions like the courts, hospitals and transportation infrastructure. "We are encouraging them to come back to Somalia," Farah said yesterday after meeting with leaders from Somalia's Toronto community. "We want them to give us their thoughts. Their expertise is more precious than money itself." About 150,000 Somalis have settled in Canada since civil war broke out in 1991, and an estimated 100,000 make their home in the GTA, according to the Somali-Canadian National Congress. The most recent figures available from Statistics Canada, however, state there were about 34,000 Somalis living in Canada in 2001. Although Canada supports humanitarian efforts in Somalia, Farah would like to see more direct monetary support that will help the government rebuild basic infrastructure in the country. "We appreciate the Canadian government and their people for the kindness they have shown our people during the last 16 years, when we really needed them," said Farah. "When most of the world was rejecting our people, they opened their doors to us. "Today those refugees have turned out to be the most precious members of our diaspora." Farah, who represents Somalia's fragile Transitional Federal Government, will meet with Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay today to drum up financial support for reconstruction efforts and request the appointment of an envoy to the East African country. Although recognized by international bodies like the United Nations, the new government struggles to bring peace and stability to even the capital city. "There is not one building in Mogadishu that is not partly destroyed by war," Farah said. About 400 Ugandan soldiers – part of a larger body of African Union peacekeeping troops – arrived earlier this month to protect the government. The peacekeepers will also allow for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops, which helped the administration topple a radical Islamic militia that recently controlled much of southern Somalia for six months. Farah said judicial and law enforcement support is needed from Ottawa, so that the fledgling government in Mogadishu can model its institutions after Canada's systems. With the Peace Reconciliation Conference scheduled for mid-April in Mogadishu, Farah is redoubling his efforts to speak with members of Somalia's various diasporas that have settled in countries such as the United States, Britain and Canada. Farah, 37, was part of that exodus. Forced to leave Somalia at 16, he moved to Britain to complete his undergraduate and graduate programs in politics. The conference is expected to draw members of the diaspora, and "anybody who feels they're outside the TFG or the tribes. Once and for all, we would like to wrap it all up," he said. Long-term rebuilding efforts are estimated to be in the "trillions," he said. Farah hopes Somalia will be able to profit from world trade through its 3,350-kilometre-long coastline that will link China, India and the Middle East to the West. As well, he says the country has rich oil and uranium deposits to help its economic recovery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taliban Posted March 20, 2007 I shall come back to join the insurgency, insha'Allah. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted March 20, 2007 ^^^Fake bravado does not feed anyone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taako Man Posted March 20, 2007 LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL@ Taliban. You've had months to join the 'insurgents'. You are not going anywhere but across the street to get munchies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alle-ubaahne Posted March 21, 2007 Our heroism speakes for itself, don't deny it, yaa little boothlicker! I and Taliban are true freedom-fighters in SOL and we are true in our sayings since we are in reserve for the insurgency efforts in our homeland. We will serve upon the orders of our top Commanders, a.k.a. Culimadeena, IA. the so-called ambassador is in our black-list, including your ailing-uncle, the treator of the year! Long Live to Islamic Courts of Somalia! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taako Man Posted March 21, 2007 ^ Why are you not in Somalia? You and Taliban call for Jihad and insurgency. Why are you still in the West? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alle-ubaahne Posted March 21, 2007 ^^You can't tell for sure where I am. stop assuming things. You still believe in the fictitious idea that xamar doesn't have any access to the world in terms of technology! I am sure it will come across in your little mind that Alle-ubaahne is in Xamar and doing his thing while taking his forte here in SOl! I do what I do without the need to notify you, little dabo-dhilif! Don't you connect the dottes that for awhile you didn't see me in here, during the high times in somalia, and i was absent in vien!!!!! Caku iyo doqon caano leh! Nin dhiig leh, dagaal waa lagu yaqaan. Alle-ubaahnena difaaca diinta waa lagu yaqaan! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
