Chimera Posted October 9, 2012 Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), is traveling to the Somali capital of Mogadishu to affirm support for state-building efforts in the country. İhsanoğlu's trip to Somalia is the first ever by a secretary-general of the organization. Together with a group of senior OIC officials, İhsanoğlu will be holding bilateral talks with the Somali president, prime minister and speaker of parliament during his stay in the country. He is also expected to meet with local and international nongovernmental organizations at the OIC office in the capital. İhsanoğlu will assess the OIC's humanitarian efforts during periods of drought and famine in Somalia. The OIC, the world's largest intergovernmental body after the UN, has made significant contributions to the developing state in Somalia. The organization also has a role in the establishment of the interim administration in the country, and reached an agreement between the political movement represented by former President Sheik Sharif and the international community. İhsanoğlu's visit represents the OIC's support for Somalia's newly elected president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, the most recent figure in whom hope for stability and peace in Somalia have been placed. LINK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chimera Posted October 10, 2012 Islamic Cooperation pledges support to Somalia A high-powered delegation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu Monday The delegation was led by Prof Ekmeledin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of OIC, who briefed the media at Villa Somalia, the state house, after meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Caretaker Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali. “We are pleased by the political transformation taking place in Somalia,” said Prof Ihsanoglu. He added that OIC trusted the new leadership spearheaded by President Mohamoud. “We see as a fruitful move the nomination of new Prime Minister (Mr Abdi Farah Shirdon appointed on Saturday),” remarked Prof Ihsanoglu. The OIC Secretary-General indicated that the organisation would offer Somalia assistance in water development and the rehabilitation of the dilapidated infrastructure. “We are determined to help with diverse improvement schemes,” stated Prof Ihsanoglu, without disclosing the details. He added that some of the projects were ongoing while others would start in the near future . “OIC will always be remembered for offering crucial humanitarian assistance in 2011 against the famine that hit Somalia, and many other parts of the Horn of Africa region,” said the caretaker PM. The OIC delegation included officials from the Islamic Bank. LINK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites