Shirkii Wilton Park

[Somalina]

Original English Version

WILTON PARK: EMERGING THEMES AND ISSUES

GENERAL

 

The political process needs to move forward. Greater legitimacy and strengthened

accountability are needed. The status quo is not acceptable. As we seek to move forward, the

Djibouti peace process remains at the heart of what we all do.

Progress in Somalia will not come exclusively through operating at federal government level,

just as it will not come exclusively through operating at local and regional level. A differentiated

approach is required, which should be recognised and accommodated by all authorities in

 

Somalia. The reform process begun by the TFIs will need to be stepped up if they are to be

enabled to succeed.

The international community and the Somali authorities are engaged in a partnership. Each

must work collaboratively, coherently and transparently, both with each other and with the

Somali people. In particular there needs to be greater sharing of ideas between the

neighbouring countries, whose understanding and influence is greatest, and the wider

international community. The good offices mission of the United Nations Secretary General, led

by his Special Representative, is the primary forum for this collaboration.

 

A clear, shared political strategy is needed as a matter of priority to frame the military strategy

and also to engage Somali groups coherently and consistently, including the private sector,

religious leaders, Somali civil society, women and the diaspora. The SRSG is best placed to co-

ordinate this Somali strategy with other key actors, including in particular the AU.

 

The political process needs to be Somali-led. Participation by a wider number of Somali actors is

key. The Somali voice, principles and traditional approaches need to be heard more clearly in all

that is done. Grass-roots processes, working in the interests of peace-building, should be

encouraged as a matter of urgency.

Our shared, key priorities are: reconciliation and peace-building; security; the constitutional

process; and, delivery of basic services to the Somali people. At the same time, we must work to

address the humanitarian needs of the Somali people, including mitigating the devastating

effects of the ongoing drought.

 

RECONCILIATION AND PEACEBUILDING

The political process needs to be inclusive and more participatory, bringing in currently under-

represented groups. All groups prepared to renounce violence and armed conflict should be

encouraged to participate. Criteria for engagement with these groups, including by the

international community, need to be considered and developed.

Traditional Somali reconciliation and peacebuilding processes, led locally by Somalis, should lie

at the heart of our approach.

 

CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS

There are a number of potential constitutional outcomes for Somalia and it would be wrong to

pre-judge the outcome of the constitutional process. Somalia’s constitution should be unique to

Somalia, not a pre-defined Western model.

The constitutional process must be based on the principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and

transparency. It must be legitimate in the eyes of the Somali people and reflect Somali values

and traditions.

 

SERVICE DELIVERY (INCLUDING ENGAGEMENT WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIONS)

Working at local and regional levels should involve working with the TFG as well as regional

bodies. At the same time, the TFG should be assisted to deliver its own prioritised strategy. The

international community should ensure it does no harm, remaining aware of the potential local

impact of its actions. We should respond to Somalis’ identification of their own needs.

 

We should support convergence, both vertically and horizontally. Areas of common interest for

co-operation between federal and regional governments should be pursued. Local

administrations should be supported to come together as regional administrations.

Engagement with local administrations should be tailored to the specific context. Better analysis

and assessment of requirements and conditions is required.

 

Criteria should apply to engagement with local authorities. These might include: a social

contract with the people; respect for human rights and shared identity; non-aggression with

neighbouring regions; a commitment to delivering services in a transparent and accountable

fashion.

 

SECURITY

The provision of improved security for Somali communities is essential to setting the conditions

for more sustainable peace-building. Greater effort should be made to support AMISOM and to

building Somali security forces that reflect Somalia’s diversity. Somali business people, clan

influence and traditional mechanisms can help to improve human security, if used with caution.

Protection of the Somali people should be a priority.

 

We must provide AMISOM the support it needs to deliver the military strategy that supports

our shared political strategy. Donors must come together to deliver adequate resourcing and

other support.

 

The TFIs should make use of the enhanced security provided by AMISOM to deliver progress on

the key transitional tasks and enable the delivery of basic services.

AMISOM needs to be able to engage widely as it builds its counter-insurgency approach.

Insurgents and armed opposition groups not prepared to work in the interests of peace and

Security should be isolated and addressed.