Somalia hosts pre-London conference event

3 May 2017

Somalia hosts pre-London conference event

Mogadishu - The United Nations, the Federal Government of Somalia and the British embassy held a conference today in Mogadishu to collect views from key Somali stakeholders on issues ranging from security and politics to socio-economic development that will be addressed at the 11 May London Conference on Somalia.

The meeting brought together members of the civil society, the private sector and youth who deliberated on the constitutional review process, federalism, economic recovery and the roles of women and the diaspora in Somalia’s future development.

“The London conference is a great opportunity for the new government to engage with international partners and get a commitment to support its recovery agenda, both in terms of economic recovery and also in terms of consolidating the gains that have been made in the past few years,” said the former federal Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Abdirahman Aynte, who will lead one of the delegations to the London meeting.

The former minister said the London meeting would position Somalia as a nation that is rising from the ashes of civil war.

The federal Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Abdirahman Hoshi Jibril, said Somalia will discuss its plans at the London conference to review the country’s 2012 provisional constitution in order to meet the needs and capture the aspirations of its people.

The minister said that President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire were committed to delivering an inclusive permanent constitution for Somalia.

“Both the President and Prime Minister have directed my ministry to involve all the Somali people in the ongoing review process”, added Minister Hoshi.

The Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Somalia, Peter de Clercq, said the Mogadishu meeting was part of the wide consultations the UN is making in the run-up to the London meeting.

Mr. de Clercq said today’s meeting was giving voice to “civil society, young people -- those that normally do not have a voice -- to say what they think is important about London, because London is about the future of Somalia.”

The United Kingdom Ambassador to Somalia, David Concar, described the London conference as an opportunity to help Somalia get onto the path to accelerated recovery following the election of President Farmaajo in February.

“Somalia seems to be at a turning point. It can go forwards towards accelerated recovery at this point in time or slide back towards deepening instability,” Ambassador Concar said.

In an interview, former minister Aynte said the future of Somalia is bright but it will depend on which direction the leadership takes the country.

“I think if we take it on the path of recovery, giving opportunities to young people and if we improve on the security conditions of the country, we will succeed,” Mr. Aynte added.

Speaking on behalf of youth, participant Muna Hassan Mohamed said the London meeting was an opportunity for the Federal Government of Somalia to show the world that the country is back on its feet and ready to forge ahead with its social and economic development.

Businessman Mohamed Hassan Daryeel said the London conference should focus on resolving the economic and political issues facing the country and promote inclusive governance and social stability.