Suldaanka Posted August 30, 2006 It seems the Contact Group is getting the message right this time. ------------- By Simon Johnson Stockholm - International donors said on Tuesday they were ready to help rebuild Somalia, but only if the interim government and Islamists could agree to share power in the Horn of Africa nation. Host nation Sweden acknowledged at an International Contact Group on Somalia meeting in Stockholm that the Islamists, who seized the capital Mogadishu from United States-backed warlords and large swathes of the south this year, enjoyed broad public support. "In order for the Somali people to get a decent life, (the Islamists and interim government) will have to find a way to share power," International Development Co-operation State Secretary Annika Soder told reporters. " (The aid) will happen when there is a legitimate and legal transition government to deal with ," Soder said on the sidelines of the meeting. " Unfortunately, our judgment is that there isn't one any longer as the transition institutions, and particularly the transition government, have been seriously weakened and the (Islamists) have broad and deep public support ," she said. Soder said the Contact Group, which includes the United States, European nations, the United Nations, African states and the Arab League, wanted to send a strong signal of support for planned talks in Khartoum this week between Somalia's two sides. The Islamists' rapid rise has threatened the interim government's authority from its provincial base in the town of Baidoa and triggered widespread fears of a regional conflict. Regional power Ethiopia backs the interim government and rival Eritrea has been accused of arming the Islamists. The talks in Khartoum will be the second round between the Islamists and the interim government to try and defuse tensions between the two sides vying for authority in the country, which has been in a state of anarchy since 1991. Islamists leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed travelled to Khartoum on Sunday but returned to Mogadishu on Tuesday. Islamists spokesperson Abdirahim Ali Muday said Ahmed had gone to Sudan only to prepare the ground and that a delegation would be sent soon. In June, the interim government and the Islamic Courts movement recognised each other in their first direct high-level talks. The interim government, formed in 2004 with international backing, has been racked by months of infighting and has been too weak to move from its temporary seat in Baidoa. Soder said the Contact Group was ready to hold a formal donors' meeting in Rome, led by Sweden and Italy, but the Khartoum talks were the only obvious path toward solving Somalia's problems. She did not give any information on how much money was on the table for reconstruction or how it would be distributed. Somalia has been mired in lawlessness since 1991 when warlords ousted dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then began fighting each other for control of the nation of 10 million. The interim government has been the 14th attempt at imposing central rule since then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wiilo Posted August 30, 2006 In order for the Somali people to get a decent life, (the Islamists and interim government) will have to find a way to share power," International Development Co-operation State Secretary Annika Soder told reporters. "SHARE POWER" (I don't if anyone can share power with warlords but) if this is the case, how would the TNG and UIC share power? And can it be possible to implement a sharia law? instead of whatever Ethiopia is written as law for Somalis. Can some 1 explain how this will play out?..... Go figure:............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NASSIR Posted August 30, 2006 Contact Group says TFG is illegitimate Suldaan, I didn't know you were such a distorter of facts. The quote you highlighted reflects the opinion of a representative from the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency. It is not even comparable to to the popular USAID. The Contact Group, which includes the U.N,EU, AU, AL, and U.S recognizes the TFG as the legitimate Interim government of Somalia. Our government needs our support. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted August 30, 2006 ^^^lol... Secesionist fears are noted. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Castro Posted August 31, 2006 Originally posted by Caamir: The Contact Group, which includes the U.N,EU, AU, AL, and U.S recognizes the TFG as the legitimate Interim government of Somalia. in‧ter‧im  /ˈɪntərəm/ –noun 1. an intervening time; interval; meantime: in the interim. 2. a temporary or provisional arrangement; stopgap; makeshift. Clearly neither the TFG nor its supporters understand what temporary means. Furthermore, the visible lack of leadership from Baidoa has made an already irrelevant entity (the TFG) even more peripheral. Our government needs our support Who's we? All I see here are cheerleaders for "uncle" Yeey. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naxar Nugaaleed Posted August 31, 2006 What is not to be understood. Let me also clearify something else: TFG or transitional federal government. Perhaps you are the one that does not understand, The government is a transitional government with a five year mandate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suldaanka Posted August 31, 2006 The quote you highlighted reflects the opinion of a representative from the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency. It is not even comparable to to the popular USAID. Trying to downplayed it eh? ehehehe Shift on Somalia may make peace harder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thierry. Posted September 1, 2006 The TFG is ever getting cornered, all their bad tactics have come to haunt them. The contact group is awareof the powers of the ICU they know that if they oppose the courts then they have opposed the masses and that would be a very bad thing for their long term stratigical relations with Somalia. Two major benefits i see from these articles for the ICU. First: The TFG's only option is to negotiate its a do or die situation. This will mean they have to make major concessions. Second: The International organisations are recognising the reality of the ICU and that their demands have to be satisfied. If this stand still continues it is the TFG that suffers. They will starve to death, more law makers and forces will abandon them (It is already the case) The courts will keep going on with their work, opening hospitals, ports, economical advancement in the regions captured etc. They will also invite humanitarian organisations to help with the conditions of the poor who have suffered over the last 16 yeats Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted September 1, 2006 Castro, get the cloak of my son,for you are no more nationalist than any of us here. Yes I support the elected and legitimate leader of Somalia. Why then do you say he is our uncle or use the term uncle Yey? Should one rebuke you by highlighting your clan affiliation to Mr Dahir Riyaale Kahin,should one say you oppose the TFG our government because of your clan kinsmen or Uncle Riyoole? Should one go further and point out that you support the clan courts only because deep down you hope it might give your uncle Riyoole his dream of recognition. Your attacks on all things Puntland has been noted, and I must say it is quite disgraceful. Keep supporting uncle Riyoole.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
