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IGAD
Convenes Its 15th Extra-Ordinary Summit on Somalia
The 15th Extraordinary IGAD Assembly of Heads of State
and Government was held in Addis Ababa, on 5th July 2010,
under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The Summit
considered the political and security situation in Somalia. The
Assembly was attended by all the leaders of IGAD member states
except Eritrea. Prior to the Summit meeting the Council held
consultations on the 4th of July 2010 on developments
since its last session on 15th June 2010.
In his opening remark PM Meles underscored the gravity of the
situation in Somalia. He underlined that
the status quo in Somalia must not be allowed to continue. In this
regard he said, "As we take stock of the prevailing situations, the
way we have been trying to deal with the challenge has fallen far
short of bringing the desired result. Hence, in the light of the
prevailing political and security situation in Somalia, the status
must be changed. Recent security in the country does not augur
well. This coupled with the approaching end of the transition
period, calls for serious work within the remaining time frame. In
this regard, the Somalis, IGAD, AU and other stakeholders have to
chart out specific actions and play their respective role in a more
proactive manner."
The Ethiopian Prime Minister further stated that, the Somalis, as
owners of their own destiny had to be at the forefront of the
struggle for peace and stability in Somalia and that their role
could not be replaced. According to PM Meles, IGAD and others could
only support the endeavour of the people of Somalia. While pointing
out that the tasks to be accomplished during the transition period
were enormous, he reminded the Somali leaders that a lot was
expected from the TFG and expressed hope they would live up to
expectation in meeting the challenge. With regard to IGAD, he
underscored that it needed to be more proactive in dealing with the
situation and to enhance its support to the IGAD process, which he
said was the only framework and the best option to deal with the
challenges faced by Somalia. He emphasised that the extremists must
not be allowed, at any cost, to spoil the transition process and
pointed out that the gravity of the problem required a concerted
effort on the part of Somalis, IGAD, Africa Union and the
international community at large. However, Prime Minister Meles
regretted that Somalia so far had not received the necessary
attention it deserved while at the same time expressing his
gratitude to the international community for giving assistance and
support to the people of Somalia, however, meagre it was. But he
once again reiterated that the support and assistance offered to
Somalia was not commensurate with the enormity of the challenges the
Country continued to face. While underscoring the need for IGAD
members to reaffirm their commitment to the peace and stability of
Somalia, he at the same time called upon the international community
to play its role. He pointed out that there was no reason why a UN
peace keeping force could not be deployed in areas where African
peace keepers were doing what ever they can to assist the people and
Government of Somalia. He concluded by calling upon the UN to deploy
a peace keeping force to replace AMISOM.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the President of the TFG, on his part
underlined in a briefing to the Summit that the meeting was timely
and should come up with concrete measures to address the challenges
posed by extremists with foreign agenda. He expressed the full
readiness of the people of Somalia to fight the scourge of terrorism
but said they needed the support of the IGAD region as a whole in
their day to day struggle.
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Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and Chairperson
of the IGAD Council of Ministers Seyoum Mesfin also briefed the
Assembly on the decisions reached by the 36th IGAD
Council of Ministers held on 15 June 2010 as well as the
consultations held on the 4th of July 2010. Minister Seyoum told the
Summit that the Council had conducted
an in depth discussion, which had been frank and constructive. The
Council in its Communiqué had identified measures that should be
undertaken by the TFG, and IGAD as a region. He underlined that the
decisions contained in the Communiqué had identified crucial steps
that needed to be taken to ensure that the TFG would become more
credible as a Government. In particular, the Council of Ministers
focused greater attention on the security situation in Somalia and
it was in light of the gravity of the situation in Somalia that the
Council did propose the holding of the Extraordinary Summit.
Minister Seyoum emphasized that Council had underscored the need to
bring about fundamental changes in the security sector to
effectively address the security challenges in Somalia. In this
regard, the Council did call upon the TFG to reorganize the
structure of its security forces with the view to unifying all its
regional units under a central command. The Council also emphasized
that the troops being trained to serve in the security forces of the
TFG had to be logistically supported and remunerated. It was in this
context that a Mission composed of military officers of IGAD Member
States was dispatched to Mogadishu from 21 to 26 June 2010. The
team, having held extensive discussions with the TFG officials and
AMISOM commanders as well as other stakeholders, had assessed the
situation on the ground. The Summit was briefed on the outcome of
the Mission's assessment whereupon it reached agreement that the
Report of the Mission did in fact highlight the major problems in
the security area and acknowledged that the proposed recommendations
were sound and realistic.
On a positive note, the Council also took note of the encouraging
steps the TFG had taken to ensure the broadening of its base of
support. In this regard, the Council commended the Agreement that
was signed between the TFG and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa on 15 March
2010. The recent reshuffle of the Government was in fact partly
designed to ensure the implementation of this important agreement.
This was a significant step towards proving wrong those who are
currently doing everything to undermine the Djibouti process,
underlined Minister Seyoum.
Minister Seyoum further informed the Summit that the Council had
agreed that there was a critical need for harmonization of the
activities of all parties active in Somalia. The Council therefore,
suggested that the Summit should call upon AMISOM, UNPOS and IGAD to
establish an operational level coordination mechanism in Mogadishu
in order to strengthen and harmonize their support. According to
Foreign Minister Seyoum, this coordination required an immediate
relocation of the police and civilian components of AMISOM to
Mogadishu. Cognizant of the need for mobilizing greater support for
the people of Somalia, the Council felt that there was a need for
designating a prominent figure of high stature as AU High
Representative for Somalia, a recommendation Minister Seyoum
submitted to the Summit for its decision. Accordingly, the Summit
issued decisions on both issues calling on AMISOM, IGAD and UNPOS to
set up a coordination mechanism and called on the AU Commission
Chairperson to nominate an eminent personality for Somalia, while
further calling for an immediate relocation of the police and
civilian component of AMISOM to Somalia.
The Summit was held against the backdrop of the worsening security
situation in Mogadishu which already added greater urgency to many
of the recommendations submitted by the Military Mission which had
earlier visited Mogadishu. The Summit held extensive discussion on
the current developments and unanimously concluded
that what was going on in Somalia was a fighting between the people
of Somalia and international terrorists and extremist groups further
underlining that the threat posed by these groups was not only a
threat to Somalia, but a threat to the peace of the region and the
world at large. But it recognized with regret
that the Security Council had failed to fully carry out its
obligation in Somalia. It was therefore with this in mind that
the Summit reiterated its call on the United Nations to discharge
its responsibility to the people of Somalia and do so as speedily as
possible by deploying a peacekeeping force to the country.
IGAD Facilitator for Somalia Kipruto Arap Kirwa also briefed the
Assembly on the IGAD military experts’ mission to Mogadishu that was
undertaken pursuant to the decision by the 36th Session
of the IGAD Council of Ministers, detailing the military situation,
the relations between the various stakeholders and challenges faced
by the people and government of Somalia.
The Summit
endorsed the recommendations of the military mission to Somalia as
amended; and directed the Chiefs of Defense Staff of IGAD Member
States to convene an urgent meeting and submit to the AU Commission
an action plan to deploy 2000 peace keepers to Somalia to enable
AMISOM to reach the authorized level of strength of 8100 personnel,
and to review and implement, as appropriate, the recommendations
made by the IGAD Military Mission to Somalia. This meeting of the
Chiefs of Defense Staff is expected to convene in the middle of this
month.
Finally, the Summit cautioned against and rejected the proliferation
of initiatives that could undermine the Djibouti Peace Process as
the only credible arrangement on which to build. The Summit
concluded by
urging the TFG to continue the efforts it had been making to broaden
its base while ensuring that the process was protected from the
threat posed by extremists who are bent on seeing the Djibouti
process dismantled.
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A National Budget Focusing on Poverty Reduction Approved by the
Ethiopian Parliament
The outgoing parliament, in its 36th regular session
recently approved the budgetary bill for the 2010/11 fiscal year
amounting to 77.2 billion Birr which is the biggest ever in the
country’s history. The bill allocates more than 70 percent of its
budget for addressing poverty reduction projects underlining the
government’s resolve to further enhance its poverty eradication
endeavors.
The pledge against poverty eradication is in keeping with Ethiopia’s
commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals of reducing
poverty by half by the year 2015. The current budget allocates the
lion’s share of the resources for provision of services like
education, health, rural electrification, roads and
telecommunications – sectors that are critical to alleviating
poverty and hence paving the road towards achieving the MDGs. It is
to be recalled that UN sources indicated Ethiopia to be one of the
20 developing countries in the world that are slated to meet the
MDGs.
What is more, out of the total budget, about 46.5 percent is
allocated for capital expenditure while regional subsidy and
recurrent expenditure receive about 31 percent and 22 percent of the
budget respectively.
The bill allocates about 4.4 billion Birr to national defense
amounting to 0.91 percent of the Gross Domestic Product of the
country that is less than the 2009/10 fiscal year’s 0.98 percent. In
terms of financing the expenditures, over three quarter of the
revenues is from domestic sources while about 20.1 billion Birr is
expected to come as grants and loans from external sources although,
according to the Prime Minister, actual pledges exceed the
conservative calculation.
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Egyptian
Ministers Visit Ethiopia
Mr. Ahmed Abul-Gheit, the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and
the Minister of International Cooperation, Mrs. Fayza Abulnaga,
were in Addis Ababa for a one day working visit. The officials had
discussions with their counterparts Ato Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Ato Girma Biru, Minister of Trade and Industry.
The Egyptian officials were also given audience by the Prime
Minister of Ethiopia, Ato Meles Zenawi.
The holding of a meeting at such a high political level was
welcomed. Very serious and frank discussion was conducted and both
sides agreed that the multifaceted relations between the two
countries should be promoted and further enhanced. It was emphasized
that the close bond that exists between Ethiopia and Egypt cannot,
for obvious reasons, be broken.
As regards the Cooperative Framework Agreement under the umbrella of
the Nile Basin Initiative, understanding was reached to try and
narrow the gap by negotiating in good faith notwithstanding the
differences that might exist with all due respect to the principles
of equitable and reasonable utilization and not causing significant
harm to other Basin states. It was emphasized that there was no
reason why the issue between upper and lower riparian countries
could not be handled and resolved in such a way as would promote and
protect the interest of both sides. What is required is, on the
part of both, to handle matters relating to the Nile waters with
realism and without the need for undue suspiciousness. Ethiopian
officials were very forthcoming in assuring the Egyptian delegation
that none of the upper riparian countries was interested in pursuing
objectives that are based on zero-sum calculations. But, of course,
there is a need on the part of the lower riparian countries to be
serious about subscribing to the principle of equitable and
reasonable utilization which is only fair and a principle
universally upheld.
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Foreign
Minister Seyoum Visits the People's Republic of China
A delegation led by Ato Seyoum Mesfin, Foreign Minister of the FDRE
paid an official working visit to the People's Republic of China
from June 28-30, 2010. The Foreign Minister, during his stay in
China, met with his counter part Mr. Yang Jiechi, the Foreign
Minister of the People's Republic of China and held discussions and
exchanged views on bilateral, regional and International issues of
common concern. Minister Seyoum expressed his gratitude for the
People and government of the People's Republic of China for the firm
support to, and active participation in, the development endeavours
of Ethiopia in all areas. He also requested the government of the
People's Republic of China to continue its support to Ethiopia. Mr.
Yang Jiechi, on his part, expressed his appreciation for the steady
economic and social growth of Ethiopia and pledged to continue his
country’s support. The two sides also exchanged views on the
situation in the Sudan and reached a common understanding with
regard to the need for peace and stability in the Sudan.
Minister Seyoum also met and discussed with other high officials
from the public sector as well as with several private companies
doing or planning to do business in Ethiopia.
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Palestinian
Authority President Mahmoud Abbas visits Ethiopia
A Palestinian delegation led by Dr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of
Palestinian National Authority, paid a three day official visit to
Ethiopia earlier this week. While here, President Mahmoud Abbas and
his delegation met with Ato Girma Wolde Giorgis, the President of
the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia., Prime Minister Meles
Zenawi, and with Ethiopian religious leaders.
His meeting with President Girma Wolde Giorgis dwelt on bilateral
issues and issues related to the Middle East peace process.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and President Mahmoud Abbas
discussed and exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues as
well as on the Israeli-Palestine peace process. The two sides
reiterated the need to further enhance the existing bilateral
relations and to see the implementation of the agreements signed
between the two sides last year. Dr. Mahmoud briefed Prime Minister
Meles on the peace process in detail and expressed his sincere wish
to resume the direct talks with Israel once the Israeli side showed
some flexibility. He also emphasized the readiness of the
Palestinian National Authority to resolve all outstanding issues
amicably.
He also expressed his deep concern on the situation in Somalia and
the presence of international terrorists in the region and the need
for the international community to assist the TFG in its efforts to
address the serious security challenges it continued to face.
President Mahmoud Abbas also expressed his gratitude for the plot of
land the government of Ethiopia provided for the construction of a
chancery and residence for the Ambassador. He also extended his
invitation to Prime Minister Meles to officially pay a visit to
Palestine.
Prime Minister Meles on his part thanked the President for the
briefings and expressed his commitment to strengthening the
bilateral relations of the two countries. He also reiterated
Ethiopia's commitment to helping the Israeli Palestinian sides
resolve their differences peacefully. He also thanked the President
of the Palestinian Authority for the invitation extended to visit
Palestine. Moreover, both leaders addressed questions raised by
journalists and proceeded to the residence of the Embassy of
Palestine to jointly lay the foundation for the construction of new
embassy on the plot of land provided by the Ethiopian government.
President Mahmoud Abbas also met and held discussion with Ethiopian
religious leaders on the Israeli Palestine process before he left
Addis.
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Eritrea
Contradicts the UN Secretary General’s interpretation of its
position on Somalia
We have for a few weeks now been commenting that Eritrea’s so-called
renewed good faith should be taken with a pinch of salt
coming—needless to say—as it does from a leadership that has an
almost visceral aversion to normal behavior such as peaceful
coexistence with its neighbors. The peace agreement with
Djibouti—while a very welcome development—was shrouded with mystery
especially as there has been literally no indication on the part of
Eritrea’s leaders that there indeed was such an agreement signed
and/or if indeed that amounted to an acknowledgement of at least
the existence of a crisis between the two countries. The
international community’s response to the agreement was one of
optimism which made it all the more curious if indeed there was
reason enough to warrant the level of enthusiasm it displayed.
In this regard, the United Nations’ Secretary General’s rather
optimistic remarks about change of behavior on the part of the
leadership in Asmara were particularly interesting in more ways than
one. For one thing, despite the Secretary General’s optimism towards
the agreement, Eritrea’s leaders has yet to formally acknowledge
there indeed was an agreement which they signed. After all, this
agreement pertained to an issue his organization and more
particularly the UNSC have been seized with for quite sometime and
on which two resolutions had already been passed by the Council. It
was an open secret—and still is—that the regime in Asmara was
denying that there was such a conflict in the first place, much less
meet the demands set forth in Resolution 1907. But more importantly,
the agreement would still fall short of meeting the other two
demands that were clearly specified in the Resolution—namely,
refraining from supporting terrorists in Somalia and desisting from
its destabilizing activities in the region.
As indicated in previous issues of Week in the Horn, it would not be
altogether surprising for the UN Secretary General—or any member of
the international Community for that matter—to welcome any signs of
improving behavior from a repeat offender such as the regime in
Asmara has always been with a modicum of optimism even if the
details are far from clear. But as we also indicated a couple of
times before, such developments should be looked at with a healthy
amount of skepticism. The behavior of the leaders of Eritrea is not
all that reassuring. Let’s take for instance what UN Secretary
General had to say with regard to what he apparently believed was an
encouraging change of behavior on the part of Eritrea’s leaders with
regard to their position on Somalia. He remarked in his recent
report that the participation of Eritrean officials in the Istanbul
conference and some of the overtures they displayed there amounted
to their willingness, among other things, to recognize, and work
with, the TFG as the only legitimate authority in Somalia. Whatever
may have led him to such overly optimistic conclusion was not the
least shared by the regime in Asmara. As the UN representative for
Eritrea made it clear in his recent letter to the UNSC, the
Secretary General’s interpretation was never what Eritrea’s leaders
intended to convey in Istanbul. In a letter dated June 30, 2010 and
addressed to the president of the Security Council, while
acknowledging that Eritrea “participated in the Istanbul conference
with the gracious invitation extended to it by the Government of
Turkey and the United Nations” the Eritrean Ambassador, however,
stated that “it would not be appropriate to attribute other
interpretations to Eritrea’s participation.”
Clearly, Eritrea did not take the Secretary General’s all too
optimistic interpretation all too well. This may sound a bit
overstated; but Eritrean officials’ very recent behavior has gone
even further. In fact, Eritrea has once again submitted what it had
earlier submitted in Istanbul to the Security Council by way—as it
were—of clarification that it has not in fact changed its position
on Somalia. In its submission, it regurgitates its usual diatribe
against the rest of the world for what it claims is an egregious
failure of responsibility on Somalia. It once again makes a litany
of allegations against the US, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and even
the United Nations for causing or exacerbating the crisis in
Somalia. Of course, Eritrea is nowhere listed among the nations
which are alleged to have played a negative role in creating havoc
in Somalia one way or another. It would be all too naïve to expect
Eritrean leaders to admit that they were indeed a significant part
of the problem. But what Eritrea’s in-your face attitude shows is
that no amount of coddling by the international community is going
to soften its heart once it has made up its mind about one thing.
What this also tells us is that whatever declarations might be made
by third parties regarding Eritrea’s alleged good faith; reason
would demand that words be matched by deeds. But doing this has
never been Eritrea’s leaders’ strong point. It would therefore be
foolhardy for any serious-minded people to fall for Eritrea’s
leaders’ cheap tricks.
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