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SOMALI CAUSE

For Immediate Release PRESS STATEMENT
COMMUNIQUÉ


SOMALI CAUSE WARNS AGAINST ADDING MORE FUEL TO A RAGING FIRE

Washington, DC, January 16, 2008 — As Africa’s worst humanitarian crisis, the last thing that Somalia needs is another layer of political complexity; another reason to perpetuate violence and further fragment this failed state. In the spirit of averting a worst case scenario, the Somali Cause expresses its unequivocal disinclination to support the secessionist aspirations of “Somaliland”.

This week marks the start of the first visit to the United States by Mr. Dahir Riyale Kahin, “President” of Somaliland, the self-declared breakaway region of Somalia. Compared to the rest of Somalia, Somaliland, in the North West, has enjoyed relative stability yet the potential for conflict is real and always just under the surface as was demonstrated recently when heavy fighting over disputed territory broke out between Somaliland and its neighboring region Puntland, in the North East of Somalia (BBC, 01/13/2008) . In this volatile and dangerous environment, Somaliland seeks recognition as an independent state over contested territory and with no legal foundation. Understandably, no country or international organization has offered such recognition to date.

The African Union (AU) has wisely rejected calls to recognize Somaliland as an independent state understanding that it was likely to set a dangerous precedent that could descend Africa into secession-based conflicts. The official United States policy on Somaliland rightly defers the matter to the AU stating that “the African Union is the most appropriate forum to address the question of recognition of Somaliland as an independent state” (US Department of State fact sheet, 12/05/2007) Furthermore, in both most recent United Nations’ resolutions on Somalia, 1725 (2006) and 1744 (2007), the Security Council reaffirms “its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia.”

Official or otherwise, the visit by Mr. Kahin is a marked departure from the stated and official policy of the United States on Somaliland. Furthermore, it lends much credence to the recently published desire by Defense Department officials to recognize Somaliland as an independent state (Washington Post, 12/03/2007). This at a time when there is almost unanimous agreement that the US supported Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) has been an utter failure. When there is also agreement that the Ethiopian invasion and the occupation that followed it, both tacitly approved by the United States, have led to a humanitarian catastrophe dubbed “the worst on the continent” by Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the top United Nations official for Somalia (New York Times, 11/19/2007).

In so far as it is designed to groom world opinion on Somaliland, in general, and that of the African Union in particular, Somali Cause is extremely disturbed by Mr. Kahin’s visit to the United States. On the heels, it seems, of recent failed policies such as the CIA support for warlords (New York Times, 06/08/2006) and the tacit approval of Ethiopia’s invasion (New York Times, 12/27/2006), any efforts to further disintegrate Somalia into mini-states are no more likely to succeed than supporting the ineffectual TFG or the brutal Ethiopian occupation. In fact, they are likely to add more fuel to the fires of the raging conflict in Somalia and the instability of the region as a whole.

Most Somalis recognize that self-serving politicians are behind the calls to secession of the North West region from the rest of Somalia. They also know that the patriotic people of the North West wish to remain in a united Somalia. The legitimate grievances of Somalis in that region against the previous regime should be addressed within the Somali Union.

CALL TO ACTION

 Somali Cause urges the United States to continue to uphold and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.

 Somali Cause urges the Defense Department to adhere to the letter and spirit of the official policy of the United States on Somaliland, the official and stated policy of the Security Council on Somalia and follows the example of the African Union in rejecting any efforts to further destabilize Somalia.

 Somali Cause also appeals to the patriotic people of Northern Somalia to maintain their historic achievements of uniting the nation after colonialism and to reject the weakness and indignity of a fractured Somalia.

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Somali Cause is an umbrella of Somali organizations united to: (a) Work to end the Ethiopian occupation of Somalia and its replacement with Muslim & non-frontline troops with a clear mandate, (b) Educate the world about the plight of the Somali people, (c) Provide humanitarian assistance to the suffering people of Somalia, (d) Provide an alternative to the clan and regional based politics, and (e) Safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
To join Somali Cause or for more information, please email us at info@somalicause.org or call us at (202) 285-0780 or mail us at 1425 K ST NW STE 350 Washington DC, 20005-3514.

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Center For Somali Solutions & Unity
518 East Center, Milwaukee, WI 55212.
Head Quarters Office, 1817 Nicollet Ave Suite 400 Minneapolis MN
Phone: 612-871-6411, 414-6871150.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mahdi Haile,
Amal Mohamed at
Somalisolutions@gmail.com
( 612) 871-6411
March 14-2008

THE CENTER FOR SOMALI SOLUTIONS OF MINNESOTA SAYS WHERE ARE Somalia’s International Partners?

MINNEAPOLIS, MN- the Center for Somali Solutions of Minnesota community advocacy organization in the U.S., today called after more than 24 months of direct supervision and broad oversight by the international community, Somali’s transition to date is in disarray. Those charged with transforming the tiny East African nation cannot identify a single meaningful task they have completed in its entirety. What’s more disturbing is how they have begun shifting responsibility for the mission’s success onto to the beleaguered citizens of Somalia.
Surprisingly, the biggest disappointment as it relates to Somalia’s current transition from war to peace is not the highly corrupt (Transitional Federal Government (NFG); rather, it is the manner in which the international players have bungled the process. The overall performance of the International Contact Group on Somalia, the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), the EGAD of African States, collectively referred to as the international community, has been less than impressive when it comes to dealing with critical issues that have kept Somalia in a continuous state of war for more than a decade. Considering the human tragedy that has occurred in Somalia recently, it is critical to foster deterrence in order to restore calm and reverse the damage. We firmly believe dealing with those who commit war crimes and crimes against humanity will do more to alter the plight of the region then rewarding impunity while advancing Peace as a panacea.


Regrettably, the international community has been slow in responding the plight of Somali people and not addressing egregious human rights abuses, which characterized the violence committed by The Ethiopian troops and Somali government and some insurgence in the capital Mogadishu. Furthermore, there has been no action taken against those persons who have consistently sought to derail the peace efforts in violation of the Comprehensive Peace Accords (CPA) signed in Nairobi. And although individuals accused of war crimes dating back to the 1940s are to this day being brought to justice; yet any single Somali who was involved ij the killing and mayhem that occurred in Somalia since the start of civil war is yet to be indicted as war criminal. So impunity will continue and will prolong the crisis in Somalia.



Feeling somewhat disappointed, particularly, as it relates to the role of the US, AU and the UN since assisting in the Ethiopian invasion, and having hoped for an end Somali crises but increased the neglect, injustice, pain and suffering, Somalis are now asking: Where are our deliverers in whom we placed so much trust? What have become of the promises? It is disheartening to read stories in the local papers alleging government forces looting the people ‘property and business and killing innocent people by Alshabab Militia. If that is true what are the chances of the current peace efforts succeeding? As the “coalition of the unwilling” grow stronger with every passing day, we are forced to ask, where are the international partners?


Now anyone who has followed developments in Somalia over the past two decades would agree that in the absence of a major international effort led by the United States, UN, Somalia have absolutely no chance of halting their country’s disintegration. This is why there was universal optimism back in 1993 when the UNOSOM was In charge. But General Aided was ordered his arrest; clearing the way for fighting between his supporters and UN with United State’s intervention in the prolonged crisis that paralyzed the entire efforts for peace in Somalia. Though all the experts have agreed Somalia is the epicenter of East Africa instability; yet the problem is allowed to fester.



With glaring evidence of a collapsed state, mass trauma, and a bankrupt economy, no one familiar with past events in Somalia believed the international community would permit the very same divisive, unscrupulous, unpatriotic group of warlords and politicians (the “coalition of the unwilling”) to dominate the recovery efforts. Yet to the amazement of all, this is exactly what happened when an international peace conference was organized in Kenya without first formulating a definite plan for Somalia’s recovery. Even more bewildering, the very same troublemakers who had run Somalia into the ground were allowed to dictate the process; as expected, governance again fell to another highly incompetent and corrupt group. This obvious miscalculation has made the country less prepared for elections now than it was two years ago. Should the international community fail to take aggressive measures now, installing a credible post-transitional democratically government in Somalia by January 2009 may prove impossible.



Without large and robust UN force present in Somalia, it’s very unlikely hostilities will end and elections will be held. The evidence supports this presumption: now, in Mogadishu, Ethiopian government troops and insurgent ions are engaged in running battles which caused extensive property damage and left Millions of people fled and scores dead. Unless the position and the government start dialogue and the prevailing culture of violence is broken, lasting peace and stability for Somalia will remain elusive. Therefore, it is imperative the international partners provide the decisive leadership that Somalis are craving. This demands a paradigm shift: The nation’s focus must be redirected away from politics and placed on rule of law, justice, and economic empowerment. To adequately prepare the population for the changes necessary to create a pluralistic democratic society where each person counts, confidence must be restored within the individual. Fear and intimidation brought on by dehumanization during the brutal civil war must be eradicated. And the international partners must assist in creating the right atmosphere where the ordinary citizen feels a sense of pride and personal freedom.



The volatile social and political climate currently existing in Somalia is not conducive to a peaceful coexistence under the leadership of any administration (elected) that does not integrate foreign expertise and has the full backing of the international community. A century of mistrust has created deep-seated hatred amongst Somalis. This has given rise to violence within the society, making it a challenge for the winners of any election to easily gain the confidence of the various ethnic groups. It will take time and meticulous planning in order to diffuse the root causes of the violence and establish an acceptable level of trust before stability can be fully restored. The international community must develop a long-term strategy to guide Somalis through the difficult process of healing and effective nation building. Somalia’s problems must not be underestimated; they date back to the early 1940s when the country was established as an Italian outpost.



As the transitional period mandated by the CPA in Nairobi approaches its conclusion, it is becoming increasingly clear that much needs to be done in order to ensure there is not a repeat of all out of civil war, lawlessness that ensued in the aftermath of the invasion of Ethiopians. Even now, there are some at the highest levels who have begun expressing concerns regarding the presence of Ethiopian troops and are doubtful of a smooth and free and fair successful transition to constitutional governance. Those sounding the warning alarm include Dr. Mahmud Jimale, UN Independent Expert on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights., amongst others.



The concerns expressed by well meaning Somalis coupled with the rising tension in Somalia, and Ethiopia’ Involvement make a compelling case for the international community to redouble its efforts, by sending Au troops there, otherwise there is a possibility of yet another calamity. Evidently, Somalia needs an aggressive recovery strategy. It is our hope that the partnership forged with the international community through the Comprehensive reconciliation that twill end almost 20 years of senseless violence. The vast majority of Somalis are prepared to cooperate in restoring peace and stability to the country. We, therefore, urge our international partners to deal decisively with those standing in the way of progress.



As the transitional process moves into the final stages, there must be willing in both sides to come to negation table and start reconciliation process. The international community must state emphatically that persons bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Somalia will be brought to justice and begin taking action. to make this possible;

SOMALI CAUSE
For Immediate Release PRESS RELEASE
COMMUNIQUÉ

2nd NORTH AMERICAN SOMALI DIASPORA CONFERENCE
Raising awareness on the plight of the Somali people and
solidifying the efforts of North America Somali Diaspora
Organizations

WASHINGTON DC -- DECEMBER 10, 2007: On November 30 & December 1,
2007 approximately two hundred Somali-Americans and Somali-Canadians
convened a major conference in the Washington, DC Metro area. The attendees
agreed to forge a unified front to free Somalia from occupation and oppression, and
to bring a lasting peace and freedom to the Somali people.
The attendees agreed to urge all Somalis to:
1. Transcend tribal and regional divisions while embracing national identity
and unity as our guiding principles
2. Promote the principle of tolerance, fairness, and that injustice to one is
injustice to all
3. Play an active and a positive role in bringing lasting peace to our homeland
by joining forces with "Somali Cause"
4. Develop an all-inclusive, competence based system for post liberation
governance to avoid the return of warlordism and chaos
5. Increase universal awareness on the plight of the Somali people brought
about by the occupation and tyranny
The attendees agreed to urge the international community, particularly
the United Nations, United States Government, European Union, Arab
League, African Union, and Organization of Islamic Conference to:
1. Demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Ethiopian troops
from Somalia
2. Compel the Ethiopian forces and the Somali Transitional Federal
Government (TFG) to immediately cease shelling civilian areas and to stop
denying food aid to the displaced people
3. Replace the Ethiopian troops with forces from Muslim & non-frontline
African states, equipped with a clear mandate
4. Provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the over one million
internally displaced people (IDP) in Somalia, especially in and around
Mogadishu
5. Demand the immediate halt of the rampant human rights abuses, the
closing of independent media, and the arrest of journalists
6. Facilitate an all inclusive reconciliation conference in a neutral and safe
environment
7. Respect the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia while
addressing the legitimate grievances of regions
8. Establish an international criminal court for Somalia to rigorously
investigate and prosecute war crimes and human rights violations that have
been committed by any party against the civilian population
9. Demand the immediate release of all political prisoners and victims of
widespread arbitrary detention
Somali Cause, a first of its kind of union of Somalis across tribal and regional
affiliations, was founded by the following organizations:
1. Alliance for Peace and Development (AFPD), Columbus, OH
2. Baltimore Somali Community, Baltimore, MD
3. Greater Boston Somali Community, Boston, MA
4. Somali American Peace Council (SAPC), Washington DC
5. Somali Canadian Diaspora Alliance (SCDA), Toronto, Canada
6. Somali Diaspora Network (SDN), Fairfax, VA
7. Somali Institute for Peace and Justice (SIPJ), Minneapolis, MN
8. United Somali Diaspora (USD), Minneapolis, MN
We invite and encourage others to join with the Somali Cause in bringing justice,
peace and stability to Somalia.
To join Somali Cause or for more information, please email us at
info@somalicause.org or call us at (202) 285-0780 or mail us at 1425 K ST NW STE
350 Washington DC, 20005-3514
Contact Person: Abdulkadir Abdirahman, Somali Cause, Chairman
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Prof. Ahmed I Samatar
Faduma Awow, Chairwoman, SCDA
Ted Dagne, Congressional Advisor
Prof. Ahmed I. Samatar, Ted Dagne, & Abdillahi Oday
Bill Fletcher, Former President, TransAfrica
Abdulkadir Abdirahman, Chairman, Somali Cause
Nii Akuetteh, Former President of Africa Action
Sheikh Shakir El-Sayed, Imam of Dar Alhijra
Nii Akuetteh – Former President, Africa Action
Guled Kassim, Somali-America Community Association
Abdulkadir Aden

 Somalia
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2007
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
March 11, 2008