Internasjonal konferanse for Somalia

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen:

Firstly, let me thank the Turkish government for hosting this important conference. It shows your concern for the Somali people, and your commitment to stand by them in their struggle for a better future.

Let me also thank the UN Secretary General for demonstrating his personal commitment to Somalia by co-hosting and attending this conference. The role of the UN is crucial and continued UN leadership is vital.

We commend SRSG Ould Abdallah for promoting innovative approaches to Somalia, including the involvement of the private sector.

In addition, we would like to emphasize the importance of UN presence on the ground in Somalia, and notably in Mogadishu.

As we once again gather to discuss Somalia, the vast majority of the population is still in dire need of security and humanitarian assistance.

During this conference we will discuss important issues like socio-economic development, piracy, security, and others. But let us not lose sight of the fact that what is at stake is the welfare of the Somali people.

This must remain the primary concern of the Somali leadership, assisted by the international community.

Let me therefore, in this context, commend the efforts and sacrifices made by AMISOM in assisting the TFG in trying to stabilize the situation, particularly the troop contributing countries - Uganda and Burundi.

The Somali people demand a vision for a more hopeful future. The Djibouti process represents hope. Norway has therefore supported it from the start, both politically and financially.

But if the political process is to succeed, it must be fully owned and driven by Somalis.  This requires unity and coherence from the Transitional Federal Institutions - urgently.

Let me follow up on what the Foreign Minister of Rwanda (Ms. Louise Mushikiwabo) just stated: The need to include women in the political process if it is going to succeed. It requires political leadership that puts the welfare of the people first.  

 The Djibouti process has not been easy and the situation in Somalia will continue to be complex. Therefore, in dealing with Somalia and in Somalia, we must all be willing to take risks.

Norway is willing to take risks in trying new ways to support the peace process. We have recently, as one of very few countries, given direct support to the TFG through the Central Bank of Somalia.

If this proves successful, we will consider continuing such support. We will also be willing to discuss other ways of contributing directly.

- But we cannot take risks over a long term period that lead to nothing, and we cannot do it without committed partners who works in full transparency.

Chair;

Even though we are facing tough challenges, we also need to focus on positive steps.

Let me mention two:

1. The first is the recent progress on the drafting of a Somali constitution. A constitution is a key requirement for the transition to permanent institutions.

2. The other is the agreement between TFG and Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa. Now it is important that the agreement is implemented.

 

Chair,

While we support stabilisation on land, fighting piracy at sea must continue. Every twentieth ship passing through the Suez Canal is Norwegian owned, and the piracy situation continues to be of great concern to us.

No country can, in the long term, prosper when pirates are ruling the sea and economic structures and power mechanisms are built on ransom money and threats.

Acts of piracy also discourage legitimate investments by the private sector. And the private sector is essential for growth in Somalia. Therefore I am very pleased that the private sector and diaspora are present at this conference.

The business community is a key actor in turning away from a war economy to a development economy that can benefit the people of Somalia.

Therefore we should all seriously listen to their ideas.

Let me conclude.

• Norway continues to be fully committed to the vision of a better life for the Somali people.
• We are willing to stand by the peace efforts, the Djibouti process and stabilisation both on land and sea, in good times and times of challenges.
• We are not losing hope, but we continue to stress the need for more and better results for the people of Somalia.

 

Thank you