An east African regional bloc called on Monday for Somalia's parliament to have its term extended beyond its August deadline and be tasked with deciding the fate of the interim government.
At the same meeting on the sidelines of an African Union (AU) summit, Jean Ping, chairman of the AU Commission, accused Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of 'non performance' and making little headway in restoring stability.
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"The Assembly reached a consensus on the urgent need to extend the term of the current Transitional Federal Parliament while the remaining political dispensation be handled by the people of Somalia," the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) said in a statement.
A senior IGAD source said that meant parliament would decide whether to elect a new leader or allow President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed to remain in office and form a new government.
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..the IGAD source said its members had rejected a request from the Somali delegation that the term of the president, prime minister and speaker of parliament be extended.
It was not immediately clear how long parliament's term would be prolonged for.
VOA: Term Extended for Somali Parliament Amid Sharp International Criticism
Somalia’s international backers have extended the term of parliament beyond August, when the mandate of the country’s embattled transitional government expires. But it appears Somalia’s president may be replaced.
The international community on Monday handed down a harsh verdict on the performance of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government, exactly two years after Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was chosen president.
A meeting at the AU summit site drew top officials of all the TFG’s main backers. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was there. So was African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi attended in his capacity as head of the East African regional community IGAD, and all permanent members of the U.N. Security Council were represented.
The U.S. delegation was led by the State Department’s number two, Deputy Secretary James Steinberg.
The meeting was closed, but a transcript of Ping’s remarks provided a stinging rebuke of the TFG’s performance. Ping said he was disappointed that no significant progress has been made in stabilizing the lawless country that has been without an effective government for 20 years.
A communiqué issued by IGAD praised the recent appointment of Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, and mentioned the need to extend the mandate of parliament. But on the subject of the presidency, the statement was vague. It said the remaining political dispensation will be handled by the people of Somalia.
Diplomats attending the meeting say that means Somalia's parliament must decide whether to elect a new president and speaker of the assembly. They say lawmakers are likely to choose new leaders within a few months.
The "people of Somalia" will, as usual, likely have no real say in the matter - this is yet another attempt to force a governmental structure on Somalia that appeals primarily to the interests of Somalia's neighbors and donor powers.
Pertinent questions in a commentary on this announcement by Liban Ahmad, republished at Garowe Online: IGAD’s confused response to TFG Mandate
In a communiqué from the 17th Extra-ordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government on Sudan, Somalia and Kenya, member states note: “that the transitional period ends on 20 August 2011 and the Assembly reached a consensus on the urgent need to extend the term of the current Transitional Federal Parliament while the remaining political dispensation be handled by the people of Somalia” and call upon “IGAD, AU and UN to provide the necessary support and assistance to the Transitional Federal Institutions as they embark upon the process to end the transition period.”I'd throw in one more - how many members of parliament would show up for such a vote?
IGAD is proposing mandate extension for the TFG parliament but at the same time recommends assistance to the Transitional Federal Institutions “as they embark upon the process to end the transition period.” Does this mean the TFG institutions will metamorphose into a non-transitional parliament and government or does it mean the transitional parliament will elect a new president to continue the transitional period? Does the “transitional period” mean the same to IGAD and the United Nations Political Office for Somalia?
IRIN publishes a timely interview with IGAD's executive secretary, Mahboub M. Maalim
IRIN: A number of IGAD countries have been accused of interfering in Somalia. Does this interfere with peace efforts in Somalia and how does IGAD overcome such a conflict of interest?
Maalim: There is a very thin line between contributing positively and interfering. When you are a person of good intention and working in the area of your mandate, it is very easy for detractors to say, “Look, you are interfering.” We cannot talk about membership in IGAD and talk about interference by members of IGAD in the Somali affair.
If it was not for IGAD, the name of Somalia would have disappeared from the international radar by now. It is in the interest of Somalia and the Somali people that IGAD as an organization, and its member states, exist and follow up the issues. There is no interference by member states.
IRIN: Are you saying that there is no conflict of interest between member states regarding Somalia?
Maalim: Every member state has its own national interest. This happens in international and diplomatic discussions. However, this is not visible when we make decisions at the summit level. I have not heard of intrigues or skewed decisions that have been made for the Somali people as a result of a specific interest of another member state.
Of course he's not that stupid - he's just lying through his teeth. Just like in his response to the following question,
IRIN: How would you rate the effectiveness of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the mission's prospects for 2011?As is well-documented, AMISOM officials themselves haven't had a problem talking to reporters about that.
Maalim: Excellent. They work under a very difficult situation, where collaboration is not possible and the command structure between themselves and Somali government forces is not harmonized. But [it has] managed to keep its core mandate to protect and defend the TFG [Transitional Federal Government] and major installations.
Their mandate is limited. They have been deployed there on a peacekeeping mandate. We have recommended to the UN that it change the mandate to peace enforcement. Until that is allowed, we cannot talk about whether they can seize ground [from the opposition].
From the IGAD Communique (pdf)
On the Current Developments in Somalia,
The Assembly,
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8. Expresses its serious concern on the further escalation of attacks by the extremist and terrorist groups on the TFG and AMISOM forces that cause death and injury to civilian population especially in Mogadishu; and reiterates its earlier calls to the international community to provide adequate financial as well as military support to the TFG and AMISOM forces to enable them provide protection to the civilian population, the TFG institutions and government installations.
9. Emphasises the need to strengthen the national police and in this regard commend IGAD Member Countries and the International Community for providing financial and logistical support for the ongoing security forces training. The Assembly acknowledges the limitations of the security forces trainings held in different countries and urge that all future security trainings be conducted inside Somalia.
10. Condemns most vehemently the barbaric acts and human rights abuse by Al-Shabab on the civilian population (including extra-judicial executions, torture, stoning, decapitation, amputation and floggings) and holds the leaders of the terrorist group responsible for all the criminal acts committed by their militia.
No mention anywhere of the massive civilian deaths attributable directly to AMISOM and transition govt forces.
Nor in UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Remarks at high-level meeting on Somalia, though he does take a moment to "recognize the losses and hardships" of the foreign fighters waging war in Mogadishu:
I would like to pay tribute to Uganda and Burundi for their contribution of troops – and recognize the losses and hardships those troops have incurred.Ignoring the civilian casualties caused by your own surrogates qualifies as a manifestation of contempt for the people of Somalia, does it not?
We now need to rapidly generate and deploy the new troops recently authorized by the Security Council, and give the force the technical, logistical and financial support it needs to do its work.
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Garowe Online: 20 killed in Mogadishu as TFG soldiers open fire indiscriminately
At least 20 people were killed Monday including many civilians after Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia soldiers open indiscriminate fire upon civilians, Radio Garowe reports.
The incident happened near Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu, after TFG soldiers killed a fellow soldier "dressed in civilian uniform."
Witnesses said the dead soldier, who had a pistol tucked in, was killed after TFG troops became suspicious of him. Fellow soldiers from the dead soldier's unit were in an "argument" with the attacking troops when indiscriminate gunfire was opened.
Among the dead were women and two employees of Banadir Hospital, sources added.
"Some of the dead cut into pieces. The wounded survivors...some of them had their legs or arms cut off," said a woman, who was helping the wounded persons.
Shabelle Media added on Monday
more 30 others wounded after some of Somali government forces opened anti-aircraft gunshots to civilian people in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, witnesses said on Monday.
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..local residents confirmed Shabelle that a man with pistol killed by some of Somali soldiers after they suspected.
Shortly after the murder of that man which he is said to be a TFG soldier, a large number of Somali forces flanked by battle wagons reached at the spot, shooting dozens of innocent civilians with anti-aircraft live ammunitions.
and then on Tuesday
more than 81 others injured after Somali government soldiers fired anti-aircraft weapons at Benadir in the Somali capital Mogadishu.
and
One day after Somali soldiers killed more than 15 civilian people and wounded 81 others in Mogadishu shooting spree, the ministers of defense and interior of Somalia’s transitional federal government should be brought to justice, an official said on Tuesday.
Abdirasheed Mohammed Hidig, Somalia’s deputy minister of sports and labor said that his ministry will not tolerate yesterday’s shooting rampage committed by Somali forces against civilians that took place in Benadir intersection in Mogadishu.
He called that the ministers concerned this shocking incident to be fired and serious probes should be made how and what had caused the civilian casualties.
“It is unacceptable that Somali person who is struggling to be the breadwinners for their life and relatives to be killed meaninglessly” said Hidig in an interview with Shabelle Media Network.
The statement of Hidig comes less than 24 hours after Abdixakim Hajji Fiqi, Somalia’s minister of defense told the local press that thy are very sorry about the civilian casualties committed by Somali forces, vowing that all soldiers behind the shooting spree would be brought to justice as soon as possible.
Mareeg Online: Shabaab: we shall revenge for the massacred civilians
Al-shabab spokesman, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage held press conference saying that Shabab retaliate for civilian loss which occurred in Mogadishu yesterday after T.F.G troops opened fire a crowd of people killing about 20 and injuring 60 others.-- -- --
“We will revenge for the innocent civilians, but people in the government area should give express collaboration with Mujahidiins”, Shabab’s spokesman said.
“Amisom and government tell fake stories to the civilians of serving them but they always stand for to massacre”, Ali Dhere added.
Govt of Somalia : Accidental discharge may be responsible for tragedy in Mogadishu
Initial findings of a government investigation into yesterday's tragic shooting attack in Mogadishu suggest that one of the soldiers in the incident had accidentally discharged, and hit the victims. At least 17 innocent people lost their lives and more than 50 were injured in the tragedy.At least 67 people hit by an accidental discharge? Even if it were anti-aircraft artillery, as Shabelle Media had reported -- and since when was the TFG ever threatened by aircraft to need to carry such an armament? -- that stretches credulity to the point that it's hard to even give them the benefit of the doubt.
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On Tuesday, IRIN interviewed Djibouti's President Guelleh:
IRIN: Somalia has been a key challenge for the region and for Djibouti in particular. Do you sometimes despair about the situation?You tried everything? Really? Isn't the overriding nationalist sentiment behind the insurgency the demand that Somalia's sovereignty be recognized so that the only legitimate Somali government is one of, by and for the people? An authentic government both created and functioning w/o the constant intervening of neighboring states and other powerful nations?
Guelleh: I do sometimes despair. We have invested a lot of time and resources to try and get [Somalia] out of the situation it is in. At the moment, I cannot honestly point to anything that I can say `If this is done, Somalia will regain its honor, dignity in the world.’ I just don’t know what the cure is.
We tried everything. The only thing left is perhaps a Tunisia-like uprising by the people. Maybe Somalia needs to tell these people: `We are fed up. Go away, we don’t want you.'
Guelleh is obviously aiming his comments at threats of an Islamist-led govt, but, as the above invocation of a popular uprising in Somalia to kick out an illegitimate system of authority shows, some of his remarks are uncannily appropriate for a perspective shifted 180-degrees. ...Or maybe there's a little freudian projection at play (see People in Djibouti protest against President Gelleh)
Considering his decision to change the constitution in order to remain president beyond the allowable limit, secured, no doubt by Djibouti's relationship as host of the largest full-time U.S. military base on the continent, it's not surprising to hear Guelleh refer to the Somali army as the owner's of their country:
IRIN: There has been talk of Djibouti sending troops to Somalia; are you sending peacekeepers, and what difference would that make?-- -- --
Guelleh: We are not sending combat troops but trainers. We want to train our Somali brothers and instill in them that they are the owners of their country; they are the ones who must die for it. They must be able to challenge every other armed force. Our aim is to build the capacity and foundation of the Somali army.
IRIN: In your opinion, what more can the UN/international community do to help Somalia?
Guelleh: We are at a stage where people have scissors to cut up the country. The other day I heard about a southeast state. The US mentioned that it talks to existing entities; now everyone is getting in on the act.
Intervention from outside has not helped and will never help. The solution is for the people to say stop. I would like to see the people of Somalia say they have had enough of displacement; they have had enough of being refugees and that they have had enough of guns.
Shabelle Media: Ahlu Sunna fighters clash in central Somalia
Somalia’s moderate Ahlu Sunna Waljama’ ASWJ fighters clashed themselves in Guriel district of Galgudud region in central Somalia, killing 3 and wounding dozens more, reports said.
The clash is reported to have broken out after some of Ahlu Sunna fighters’ tried to escape having their battle wagons and guns with them.
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In the past, a lot of the dismantled Hizbul Islam fighters together with their guns and weapons have surrendered to Ahlu Sunna.
Reports say that the ones who tried defect from Ahlu Sunna were Hizbul Islam’s former fighters.
Shabelle Media: Defected soldiers from TFG join Al shabaab
Dozens of defected Somali transitional federal government joined to Al shabaab fighters, an Al shabaab official said on Wednesday.-- -- --
The defected TFG soldiers had been training in military camp in neighboring Kenya.
Al shabaab’s Belethawo district commissioner, Ali Mohammed Ahmed said that they these forces were from TFG and now decided to join Al shabaab fighters in Gedo region in southern Somalia to fight against Somali transitional government and African union peacekeepers.
However, sources told Shabelle Media Network that the defected Somali government soldiers have been training a military camp in the town of Siyola of northern neighboring Kenya.
Reuters: Taxes push Somali traders away from Mogadishu port
Somali traders are now directing their shipments to ports at least 500 km (300 miles) away from Mogadishu to bypass what they say is excessive taxation and inefficiency by the government at the port in the capital.-- -- --
Importers say they would rather route their cargo through the northern coastal town of Bosasso 1,500 km away or to the rebel-held Kismayu port 500 km south, although the market where they will sell their goods is just 4 km from the Mogadishu port.
"Bosasso and Kismayu ports charge less and Mogadishu's port takes extraordinarily high taxes. The government has no other source of revenue," said Bare Hassan, a trader.
"Worse still, the government has said it will increase the taxes we are complaining about. We currently use these three ports but if the government insists on raising instead of lowering, I think it will have to do without our taxes."
Traders say it costs less to move their cargo over land to Mogadishu, than to route their merchandise through its port.
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"Most Somali traders have stopped importing cars through Mogadishu port. We use Kismayu and Bosasso ports mainly," said Salad Elmi Ahmed, assistance manager of Hasco, one of Somalia's largest trading and shipping companies.
"The Somali government takes high taxes and port charges, there is also poor management at the Mogadishu port. What's worse is that there is limited access to the market at Bakara."
From the January 31st remarks by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg in Addis Ababa:
Although we have had high expectations for the TFG and have supported it financially, we are disappointed by the lack of progress achieved over the last several years.
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Unilateral action by the TFG on next steps past August would be unacceptable. We also want to avoid starting a new lengthy and costly international political process, especially one that takes place outside of Somalia. We need to avoid a vacuum—but we cannot continue with business as usual. The future of the TFG must be the product of a dialogue among key stakeholders, including key donors and the UN.
We should build on the small accomplishments of the past two years, not begin anew but adopt expanded and enhanced approaches that will result in stability for Somalia.
Shabelle Media: Somali parliament votes its own mandate to be extended by three years
Somalia’s transitional federal parliament on Thursday voted its mandate to be extended to three years after meeting in the somali capital Mogadishu.
Some 435 members of the parliament have attended the meeting and Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adam was presiding over the parliament’s assmbaly.
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..421 lawmakers vote in favor of the extension period by three years. 11 refused while 3 others remained in silence.
The speaker of Somali parliament announced the parliament’s mandate of 550 MPs was extended by three years.
From a press release out of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi: Unilateral TFP Extension is a Disservice to the Somali People
The decision by the Transitional Federal Parliament to ignore the African Union’s request for wide consultation and instead to unilaterally extend its term beyond the end of the transition period is a disservice to the people of Somalia and a setback to the establishment of legitimate and effective government.-- -- --
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It serves only to further undermine the credibility of the Parliament and risks strengthening al-Shabaab. This self-serving political maneuvering calls into question the suitability of the senior leadership of the Parliament as viable partners for the Somali people and the International Community as we collectively work to bring peace, stability, and progress back to Somalia.
From a leaked December 27, 2009 cable out of the U.S. embassy in Djibouti referring to U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Karl Wycoff and hinting at a role played by AFRICOM
DAS Wycoff reviewed USG support for Somalia and the TFG, including the provision of technical support to bolster the TFG's public diplomacy efforts, including assistance to Radio Mogadishu. Noting that Somali culture was predominantly oral, and that illiteracy was high among armed Somali youths, FM Youssouf agreed that radio messaging was key. Public diplomacy was a weakness of President Sharif, Youssouf said. Djibouti sought to develop Somalia's intellectuals, Youssouf said, noting that Somalia's PEN Club was headquartered in Djibouti. Djibouti's President Guelleh had assisted authors from Somalia's diaspora, even paying them to produce publications and radio programming.
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7.(C) In his meeting with the TFG FM, Guelleh had also underscored the strategic necessity of the TFG holding areas liberated from al-Shabaab. As the TFG was incapable of sustaining a conventional war with the requisite supply and logistics chain, the TFG needed to wage a guerilla war against al-Shabaab, as al-Shabaab itself was doing, Youssouf said.
8.(S) FM Youssouf stated that Algeria was providing 30 tons of arms to the TFG; the shipment was currently in Dire Dawa (Ethiopia), and would arrive in Djibouti December 9 or
10.The TFG had previously considered delivery by road, but was concerned about theft. Wycoff urged that care be taken in handing over the arms to avoid their being misappropriated, noting that the USG worked through AMISOM to try to ensure best use was made of any lethal equipment provided. Noting that Djibouti had previously shipped weapons to the TFG in April and June (ref B), FM Youssouf stated that Djibouti would ship the Algerian arms on to the TFG only to specific locations when specified by President Sharif.
9.(C) DAS Wycoff reviewed the USG approach to the TFG. The U.S. would continue support of Djibouti's effort to train additional TFG troops, but the USG, EU, and other partners must do more to coordinate efforts. While partners had been focused on the security sector, a military solution alone was insufficient; ways had to be found to build on the DPP to promote political solutions. However, the USG opposed any effort to undercut or replace the Djibouti Peace Process. DAS Wycoff highlighted USG opposition to Eritrea's efforts in this area, as well as to Eritrea's intransigence regarding its border dispute with Djibouti. It was important to impose sanctions on Eritrea as a regional spoiler, in order to effect change in the GSE's policies. Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a (ASWJ) appeared to be a potent force, but needed to work within the Djibouti Process and to partner with the TFG against common enemies.
10.(C) FM Youssouf said he was pleased to observe that the USG and GODJ shared the same assessment and goals regarding Somalia. He hailed the strong partnership between Djibouti and the United States, noting that the Djibouti benefitted from the U.S. military presence at Camp Lemonier; it was not a "one-way" relationship.
From a January 20, 2010 US UN cable
Ould-Abdallah pointed to financing, for both AMISOM and the Somali security sector, as key to defeating the extremists. He stated that the international community is spending too much time on "training, workshops, and assessments" in lieu of ensuring that salaries are paid. He noted the results of the U.S. government's $500,000 contribution to the TFG security sector in June and July, 2009, distributed partially as salaries to the TFG forces and police. He described the immediate, discernable impact on the security environment after the forces become "motivated to fight." Ould-Abdallah pointed to the paltry international contributions to the UN Trust Fund for Somali Security Institutions, noting that only China, Libya, Rwanda and the United States have made donations. He cited the Trust Fund's high overhead, slow reaction time and overwhelming bureaucracy as discouraging donors. He urged financial flexibility and encouraged contributions to instead flow through the fast and transparent PriceWaterHouseCoopers mechanism, which charges four percent overhead, as opposed to the Trust Fund's 16 percent.
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Ambassador Rice raised the World Food Program's (WFP) recent suspension of humanitarian assistance in parts of southern and central Somalia. Ould-Abdallah stated that the WFP had discovered over time that its traditional way of distributing assistance, by working through communities, didn't function in Somalia. He said that the WFP chose to suspend some operations not because of a security threat, but rather because it had become too reliant upon al-Shaabab and its system of pay-offs. He stated that the WFP was being manipulated after becoming "too close" to al-Shaabab, so it used the "convenient option of withdrawing" to "escape from U.S. legislation and not feel embarrassed." Ould-Abdallah brushed off the suspension's affect on the population, stating that the residents will rely on each other and travel to refugee camps in Kenya. Ambassador Rice questioned how southern Somalia will be able to prevent famine without the WFP and noted that population movements to Kenya or other parts of Somalia will be inherently destabilizing.
From a July 24, 2009 cable out of the U.S. embassy in London,
Indicating a 180-degree policy shift, [Foreign Office East Africa and Great Lakes DAS-equivalent Jonathan Allen] said the UK Government had been reviewing its Somalia policy (reftel) and ministers had decided July 21 that Somalia "matters a lot to UK interests" for migration, counter terrorism (CT), and humanitarian reasons, and that the UK needs to put more resources into dealing with Somalia. Allen said the UK plans to pursue a twin track of support. First, the UK will support the TFG, which is "fragile but still the best game in town," and UN processes, primarily through AMISOM. Secondly, the UK will do more work with Somaliland and Puntland.
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Allen said the UK plans "to thicken" its support to Somaliland, though the British government is not considering recognition at this stage. He conceded that the UK government would only look at recognition if south central Somalia appears to be in chaos for another 20 years...
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Allen said the UK is talking to the Puntland authorities more and trying to assess the British government's ability to work with them. The Puntland President had recently been in London and "pretty much said all the right things," including on the coast guard and alternative livelihoods. Noting that the UK was under no illusion about who they were dealing with and the connection of the Puntland authorities to piracy, he said the UK was considering maritime support in particular, possibly with the EU. Allen said the risk-versus-reward relationship with piracy needs to be changed, and the best way to do that may be to bolster the Puntland's coast guard while keeping EU or UK personnel involved in all Puntland operations. [Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of African Affairs, Phillip] Carter noted that it is also important for the international community to deal with the fishing and toxic waste dumping issues along the Puntland coast.
From a July 13, 2009 cable out of the U.S. embassy in Tripoli on a meeting between Johnnie Carson and Sh. Sharif
Carson reviewed with Sharif recent USG assistance to the TFG, including $1.5 million in cash and substantial quantities of military equipment, and he noted the U.S. commitment to provide additional funding for training, equipment, and salaries for TFG security forces. The United States also wants to provide non U.S. contractors who could send tactical trainers and advisors to work with TFG Forces in Mogadishu. In addition, the United States continues to assist troop contributing countries and others to lend their support. Carson said he had sent an AF bureau DAS to the Middle East to encourage states that had pledged support to the TFG to make good on their pledges. At USG request, Kenya has agreed to interdict flights from Kenya going into Mogadishu that might include weapons and other resources for al-Shabaab. Eritrea, Carson said, is playing a spoiler role by supporting al-Shabaab and serving as a conduit for money and foreign fighters. U.S. pressure on Eritrea would continue, he told Sharif.
A/S Carson also applauded Sharif for issuing strong public statements about his determination to keep fighting al-Shabaab and urged him to improve the conditions on the ground for all Somalis. "You represent peace for Somalia. Al-Shabaab represents violence and a return to the past," Carson said.
If the TFG can ensure stability, the USG is prepared to further support the government's efforts to provide services, such as education and health care, Carson told Sharif. This will demonstrate to the Somali people that your administration is capable of assisting them and improving their lives. In the coming months, the TFG must win on the battlefield as well as in the court of public opinion, Carson added. He urged the TFG to publicize al-Shabaab's negative actions, such as the cutting off of hands of thieves. "There are things I think the Somali people do not want to see come to their country." The U.S. will offer the TFG assistance with crafting appropriate media messages to counter the extremists.
The Telegraph's collection of the wikileak cables re Somalia is located here
-- -- --
Strong words in this press release from the TFG parliament:
Members of the Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic, scholars, religious elders, and civil society organizations – inside and outside of Somalia, have for the last seven months conducted extensive consultations on the way out of the Somali tragedy.
The discussion that took place and the various issues raised during these wide consultations on the way forward, have led to, among other important recommendations, the proposal related to the imperative need for the extension of the mandate of the Transitional Federal Parliament, and the election of the President, the Speaker, and the Deputy Speakers in accordance with the provisions of the Transitional Federal Charter and the 1960 Constitution.
The decision adopted by the Transitional Federal Parliament on February 3, 2011 in the presence of 435 Members is, therefore, a product of intensive consultations carried out with various stakeholders over a significantly extended period of time.
It is indeed regrettable and sad to learn that certain foreign governments’ representatives stationed in Nairobi would label the Parliament’s decision as a “unilateral extension that is a disservice to the Somali people.” We are deeply dismayed to note that the same representatives would state that the Transitional Federal Parliament “ignored the African Union’s request for wide consultation.” We consider this to be a disinformation. It is devoid of any truth.
...
We would like to remind the international community that Somalia is an independent state. Like the rest of the countries in the world, it is a member of the UN and other international and regional organizations. It is a sovereign state and it has succeeded after twenty years to elect some of its leaders inside the country. Moreover, the Parliament has decided to elect its national leaders right inside the country in a democratic and transparent way. This means that the country will no longer entertain the idea of convening exorbitant very costly reconciliation and conferences outside of Somalia.
The Somali Parliament represents the Somali people. It is the institution that decides on the destiny of its people in consultation with the governmental and non-governmental actors in the country and in accordance with the Transitional Federal Charter.
The Parliament has taken into account the consensus reached by the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government – the 17th Extra-Ordinary Session, Addis Ababa, 30 January 2001 – on the urgent need to extend the term of the current Transitional Federal Parliament. The AU and IGAD have also re-asserted that the Somali people should handle their remaining political dispensation through their National Parliament in manner that is consistent with the country’s laws and the Transitional Federal Charter.
It is important to state that very intensive and wide consultations were conducted by the top leadership of the Transitional Federal Institutions prior to the decision that was adopted by the Parliament on February 3, 2011. The President of the Transitional Federal Government, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament, and the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government were all present during these consultations, and together reviewed and approved the draft proposal prepared by the Parliamentary Committee for the Constitution and Federal Affairs prior to its submission to the Parliament.
The wide and lengthy consultations conducted by the government’s top leadership notwithstanding, the message of the foreign governments’ representatives in Nairobi conveyed asserts that these consultations did not take place. Any decision made by the Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic is always preceded by appropriate consultations.
The Members of the Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic are disillusioned with their brother Ambassador Augustine Mahiga. We note with a great deal of disappointment his failure to establish contacts with the Parliament. He had always refrained from having any contacts with the Parliament during his visits to Mogadishu. The message conveyed through his Press Release leaves a great to be desired. His contention that the Parliament’s decision was made in a hasty manner is unfounded.
The Somali Parliament pursues its endeavours in a democratic and transparent way, and in accordance with the provisions of the country’s laws. Proper consultations are conducted prior to any deliberations on many of the crucial tasks. We wish to reiterate that the Parliament and its Members are saddened by what was unleashed by the representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations and by other foreign governments’ envoys in Nairobi.
Shabelle Media: We shall not get back from our decision: Somali MPs
Some of the members of Somali transitional federal parliament TFP on Sunday said they will not get back from their decision of the extending their own mandate for three years even if the international community refused to pay their monthly payments.
After meeting in the Somali capital Mogadishu, some 20 Somali parliamentarians said they have a right to work on their self determination.
They accused the in international community of not satisfied with the tranquility in Somalia and the country’s officials to reach their own decisions about their own nation, insisting the extension of parliament’s term for three years.
“I am saying while we depend on UNDP it is better for us to rely on our almighty Allah” Abdall Boos Ahmed, a Somali MP told reporters in Mogadishu.
Prof. Michael Weinstein does a nice job of weaving a narrative out of events over the past two weeks in his latest analysis, Interminable Transition
Without the external stakeholders, the T.F.G. could not exist; each component of their coalition is essential to its survival. The Western great/”donor” powers working through the U.N. finance the T.F.G.; African states working through the A.U. and financed by the “donor” powers under a U.N. mandate provide the military force (AMISOM) that defends the T.F.G. and the enclave of Mogadishu that the latter controls; and Horn of Africa states working through the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (I.G.A.D.) give diplomatic support to the arrangement. Once the extreme dependency of the T.F.G. is understood, it is intelligible that the external stakeholders take it for granted that they can/should (try to) tell the T.F.G. what to do. They are only effective in giving directives, however, if they are on the same page. In addition, although the T.F.G. is dependent, its factions exert whatever power they have as the stakeholders’ “internationally recognized” government to advance their own interests, often at the expanse of the stakeholders – the T.F.G. can dare the stakeholders to get rid of it if they do not like what it does. Yet then they would have to replace it, assume control of Somalia directly, or walk away from the country, all of which options have their own costs.
During the last week of January, a mini-drama played out among the stakeholders and the T.F.G. that revealed the ineffectiveness of the former in attempting to stage-manage an anti-Islamist governing structure for Somalia. The U.N. attempted to put into effect a plan that would replace the T.F.G., I.G.A.D. counter-posed a plan that would preserve the T.F.G. in part, I.G.A.D.’s plan prevailed among the stakeholders, part of the T.F.G. resisted I.G.A.D.’s plan, and another part embraced it and took action to implement it without consultation with the external actors. What was supposed to have been, from the U.N.’s viewpoint, a move to speed-up the transition to a permanent government in Somali was derailed in favor of continuing deadlock.
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Any concerned observer and/or actor who desires to understand the political situation in the territories of post-independence Somalia would do well to reflect on the mini-drama of "deciding" what is to be done in the absence of a constitution to "end the transition" in Somalia. Rarely is the multiplicity of divergent interests so clearly on display; rarely do actors parade their incapacity so graphically in a spotlight.
Stasis/deadlock/stalemate is, as usual, the likely consequence.
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