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Interview with the Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia and AU |
Interview with the Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia and AU After the nomination of the new Somali Prime Minister, Col. Nur Hassan Hussein, the Addis Ababa based "The Sub-Saharan Informer" newspaper has interviewed Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia on issues related with the current situation in Somalia and his views towards the new prime minister. Noor was assigned as the Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union in September. Below are the excerpts. SSI: How is the general situation in Somalia? Ambassador Said Yusuf Noor: The situation in Somalia is improving right now due to the intensive reconciliatory process and security operations that are currently going on in the country. As you may know we recently concluded a national reconciliation conference that was aimed at reconciling the grassroots, which was participated by traditional elders, businessmen, women and civil society groups, religious leaders and intellectuals from all Somali clans and from various regions. Therefore, there is a shining hope coming out in Somalia led by the Transitional Federal Government and backed by the International Community. Mogadishu is now more secure than ever before as police stations and judicial institutions are in place and more importantly, the government ministries have opened their doors to the public. But of course, our efforts to be more effective, we need all of our friendly partners and international community to provide timely support and fulfill their promises to help the government. Somalia has been in chaos and lawlessness for more than a decade, the reconstruction of the nation and reinstating governance will take time and more support is needed from our partners. SSI: What is the prospect of the additional AU peacekeepers that are coming to Somalia? Ambassador Noor: We expect from our African brothers to send more additional AU peacekeepers to participate in the current AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM), notably, we have already AU Ugandan contingents in place, who are taking part in the security operation in the capital, Mogadishu, and some other African nations will deploy the troops they have pledged soon. Earlier in history, Somalia stood for and always stays for the cause of the African independence and unity and in this time of need, Somalia expects the same support from AU members. Now we are at the end of Somali quagmire and on the beginning of a new page for the Somali people. SSI: Alshabaab militants, who are fighting your government have threatened to fight AU peacekeepers, isn't that worrying your government and discouraging the supplementary peacekeeping forces that are to arrive in the country? Ambassador Noor: Certainly, Alshabaab is a terrorist group that has killed innocent civilians, women and children by using them as human shields. They have links with international terrorist groups. Their threats are part of their terror campaign and tactics but no one is giving ear to their intimidations. We, Africans, have a moral obligation to fight the terrorists in our continent. They have targeted not only Somalia, but also other important African countries and damaged their booming economic sources and charming touristy sites like Egypt. The terrorists are depriving us of our rights to live peacefully and implement our social and development ambitions. Therefore we have to focus on the security sector enhancement to achieve our goals. Africa cannot realize the "Millennium Development Goals' unless we improve the current security level and this requires a regional cooperation and an international support. Recurrent internal conflicts have undermined Africa's credibility of extending economic and social growth and overcoming these haunted barriers is prerequisite for any development. SSI: Egyptian government has called for Ethiopia to withdraw from Somalia, saying its presence has deteriorated the situation in Somalia, how do you see the Egyptian call, and when is Ethiopia going to withdraw? Ambassador Noor: First of all, the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia has requested Ethiopia to send its troops to Somalia to train our security forces and secure the transitional institutions from common enemy, terrorists, that were waging daily threats and aggression not only against the interim government but on the region as well. The Ethiopian troops are there on the full support and permission of the only legitimate and responsible government in Somalia. They are taking part in the counter-insurgency operation in the capital. Egypt is a historical friend of Somalia and among the international partners that support the transitional government. But now, it is premature and unwarranted to suggest or recommend the Ethiopian withdrawal. Ethiopians are not occupation forces; they came in response to the invitation of our government and their pull out will come when the Somali government, who invited them, tells them to withdraw, when the stability in the nation becomes constant or the pledged AU peacekeepers and the proposed UN peacekeepers are deployed. But we are still urging the Ethiopians to remain until these objectives are realized. It is to be noted and underlined that Somalia and Ethiopia are two brotherly neighbors, as they share long border their security is interlinked; what happens in Somalia directly affects Ethiopia and the same way for our country. Therefore, we have trustworthy security cooperation and assistance that will ever last. SSI: The United Nations aid organizations say that the humanitarian situation in Somalia is worsening as one million people were displaced in Mogadishu, whom do you hold responsible for this mass displacement? Ambassador Noor: First of all, we express our deep sorrows and condolences for the families of those civilians killed and wounded in the counter-insurgency operations. Secondly, we held Alshabaab militants for the mass displacement, as they were using innocent civilians as human shield in their hideout tactics and sometimes targeting them for speaking out against them. The government is committed to its humanitarian obligation of protecting civilians, supporting the displaced and wounded people. We fully stand with the International Humanitarian Organizations engaged in saving lives. At the beginning of our counterinsurgency operations in the capital, government officials warned the civilians and requested them to vacate the places where the insurgents were hiding in and using as military base. SSI: Today, President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed appointed a new prime minister after long consultations with the international community, how could you describe the new premier? Ambassador Noor: As far as I know, he is a man of honesty and integrity. He is known for his reconciliatory skills and decision-making based on curious consultations. He is also a neutral and has both security and international diplomacy experience. For the past 17 years, he was working in the humanitarian relief, helping those in need in all regions of Somalia. As a former humanitarian chief and now a prime minister, improving the current security and humanitarian level of the country and continuing the reconciliation process are the main tasks waiting him. I think he will also play an important role in the capacity building of the government security structure. |
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