IGAD communique - May 3, 2013

[Illyria]

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 21ST EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF IGAD, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, May 3, 2013

 

6. Noted with appreciation and welcomed the Somali Federal government’s document titled National Stabilization Plan and reiterated the need for all processes particularly the ongoing efforts towards setting up Somali regional administration and stabilization efforts, to be anchored on the following principles:

 

- Leadership of the government of the Federal Republic of Somalia in

the process;

 

- Respect of the provisional constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia; - All inclusive consultative process with the peoples of Somalia;

 

- supportive role of IGAD based on the priorities of the Somali government; and

 

- Fighting the Al Shabab as the primary focus of the Somali Federal government; AMISOM; regional and international partners; And further requested the Somali federal government to align the document with the aforementioned agreed five principles.

 

7. Reiterated the ownership of the Somali federal government to lead and set the priorities for its stabilization and reconstruction in an all-inclusive manner;

 

9. Called for a commitment by all stakeholders to support the ongoing political outreach and reconciliation processes led by the Somali Federal government, and the building of the capacity of the Federal Government of Somalia particularly on governance, economic development and security sector reform;

 

10. Decided to conduct a confidence-building mission to Kismayu led by the IGAD Executive Secretary and composed of representatives of the federal government of Somalia and one senior delegate from each member state of IGAD with the aim of assessing the situation and submitting a report to the IGAD summit to be held on the sidelines of the upcoming AU summit in May 2013;

 

14. Reaffirmed the strong solidarity among IGAD members and their commitment to continue supporting the government-led reforms in the various priority areas, and in light of upcoming International Conferences on Somalia in particular the London conference to be held on 7 May 2013, appealed to the international community to redouble their support to the stabilization, reconstruction and long-term development of Somalia, on the basis of interalia the principles referred to in paragraph 6;

[Illyria]

10. Decided to conduct a confidence-building mission to Kismayu led by the IGAD Executive Secretary and composed of representatives of the federal government of Somalia and one senior delegate from each member state of IGAD with the aim of assessing the situation and submitting a report to the IGAD summit to be held on the sidelines of the upcoming AU summit in May 2013;

 

11. Underlined the speedy implementation of the Integration of Forces Plan including the enrolment and training of young officers and NCOs; and underscored the need for coordinated efforts of all stakeholders under the leadership of the Somali government;

 

12. Noted with appreciation the continued commitment of the AMISOM forces, the courage and commitment of the Somali National Security Forces, and the support by all troops/ police contributing countries (Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda) as well as Ethiopia;

 

13. Appealed to the troop contributing countries/ police contributing countries and the Somali National Force to expand their operations and immediately recover the remaining areas controlled by Al Shabab;

 

14. Reaffirmed the strong solidarity among IGAD members and their commitment to continue supporting the government-led reforms in the various priority areas, and in light of upcoming International Conferences on Somalia in particular the London conference to be held on 7 May 2013, appealed to the international community to redouble their support to the stabilization, reconstruction and long-term development of Somalia, on the basis of interalia the principles referred to in paragraph 6;

 

15. Noted UNSC Resolution 2093 and expressed the hope that it will enhance the reconstruction efforts and the role of Somalia in the region; that it will build on progress made by AMISOM operations, and that it will form a sound basis for the reconstruction and development of Somalia;

 

16. Underlined that the fight against Al Shabab remains the primary concern in ensuring Somalia’s stabilization and reconstruction;

[xiinfaniin]

10. Decided to conduct a confidence-building mission to Kismayu led by the IGAD Executive Secretary and composed of representatives of the federal government of Somalia and one senior delegate from each member state of IGAD with the aim of assessing the situation and submitting a report to the IGAD summit to be held on the sidelines of the upcoming AU summit in May 2013;

 

Hassan is still struggling to stop Kismayo process ...

 

The only option he has is to stoke inter-clan voilance before the mission arrives in Kismayo as he tried before.

[xiinfaniin]

- Leadership of the government of the Federal Republic of Somalia in

the process;

 

- Respect of the provisional constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia; - All inclusive consultative process with the peoples of Somalia;

 

- supportive role of IGAD based on the priorities of the Somali government; and

 

- Fighting the Al Shabab as the primary focus of the Somali Federal government; AMISOM; regional and international partners; And further requested the Somali federal government to align the document with the aforementioned agreed five principles.

 

These four principles make sense.One wonders what would Hassan gained by cementing IGAD role in before the London Conference

[xiinfaniin]

LOL @ Hiiraan's take on the communique did they read it?

 

http://www.hiiraan.com/news/2013/May/wararka_maanta3-21814.htm

[xiinfaniin]

[xiinfaniin]

Puntlandi balances Hiiraan Online

 

http://puntlandi.com/war-deg-deg-ah-shirkii-wadamada-igad-oo-warmurtiyeed-laga-soo-saarey-dowlada-federaalka-oo-lagu-amrey-iney-tageeraan-shirka-kismaayo/

[Illyria]

It looks like IGAD wants to take over the process of forming federal member states losing confidence in the Somali leadership whom they initially thought could bring people together. Not a good sign when your backers and financiers take back the presumed empowerment extended in earlier rounds of discussions.

 

On one hand, IGAD is partially and seemingly supporting the FG while on the other they are encouraging the formation of federal states under the command, which the federal leadership was unable to successfully manage.

[Mintid Farayar]

Interesting times....

[Illyria]

A couple of things to point out:

 

Notice how IGAD clearly states:

7. Reiterated the ownership of the Somali federal government to lead and set the priorities for its stabilization and reconstruction in an all-inclusive manner;

 

But not so where concerns Kismayo,

10. Decided to conduct a confidence-building mission to Kismayu led by the IGAD Executive Secretary and composed of representatives of the federal government of Somalia and one senior delegate from each member state of IGAD with the aim of assessing the situation and submitting a report to the IGAD summit to be held on the sidelines of the upcoming AU summit in May 2013;

 

And these two points: One is to lend its support to the FG,

- Leadership of the government of the Federal Republic of Somalia in the process;

 

And the other is to criticise FG's handling of the PFC, and lack of inclusivity and consultation of stakeholders in the process.

- Respect of the provisional constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia; - All inclusive consultative process with the peoples of Somalia;

[xiinfaniin]

Right on, Illyria .

 

Oodweyne is not reading communique ---he was never accused of comprehension problem, so this must be deliberate misunderstanding

 

For the communique states clearly that Kismayo process is an exception ---and rightly so for it preceded this Hassan six point plan. IGAD, as was the case before this meeting, will continue its observant status at Kismayo Conference led Mahmoud Maalim. It goes against any rational thinking to disband a peaceful gathering simply because Hassan does not like those leading it. It is nonsense , and many countries seem to see it for what it is.

 

 

IGAD Executive Secretary, Mr.Mahmoud Maalim

 

Read again:

 

10. Decided to conduct a confidence-building mission to Kismayu led by the IGAD Executive Secretary and composed of representatives of the federal government of Somalia and one senior delegate from each member state of IGAD with the aim of assessing the situation and submitting a report to the IGAD summit to be held on the sidelines of the upcoming AU summit in May 2013;

[Homunculus]

What a travesty. Instead of welcoming the formation of Jubaaland with open arms this president tried everything to undermine it and ignored Al Shabab on every turn, and now a foreign entity is issuing a proclamation to remind him of his job.

[xiinfaniin]

Homunculus;945686 wrote:

What a travesty. Instead of welcoming the formation of Jubaaland with open arms this president tried everything to undermine it and ignored Al Shabab on every turn, and now a foreign entity is issuing a proclamation to remind him of his job.

That is the sad part, Homunculus. Hassan failed twice this month. Perhaps Ankara summit with Siilaanyo was not so bad

[Baashi]

Sticking to the topic at hand, here is my question:

 

What's it that IGAD is trying to get out of their observation excursion in Kismayo? In my trade, we pay a visit to suppliers/vendors when there is deviation from the spec -- we called it surviellance/inspection. It is a decision point. There is spec. There is a devistion from the spec. And quality control folks go there to say yeah so and so is not not per xyz and hence quality control reccommendation is reject the product and here is justification we ought be using in the procurement process legal jumbo mambo.

 

IGAD gets there and observes the process -- what's the yardstick to validate or invalidate the legality of the process and the local ownership of the proceeding?

 

Shouldn't the yardstick be the constitution which happen to be vague and now there are reports that's been tampered with?

 

Anyone wanna weigh in on this one? What's your take on this?

[Illyria]

Xiin,

The trick about interpreting communiques is suspending your bias, and reading with near impossible objectivity. Short of that, you will miss its meaning granted you were not part of the dialogue that lead to the bullet points, and do not have an insider perspective. So we have to rely on what is being written, how it is presented, and where in the communique a point is being inserted. President Hasan and camp will not be completely happy with the Kismayo front, but will find a way to spin it for local consumption.

 

A protocol related question:

Why was the President is received at the airport by a minister? When did this trend start happening?