MoveOnSomalia Coalition: 2008 Toronto Declaration

March 3, 2008

We, members of MOVEONSOMALIA Coalition, held a one day convention in Toronto, attended by a group of scholars, activists, women’s groups, members of Somali Diaspora, members of civil society, and Canadian politicians, as well as representatives from the Transitional Federal Institutions of Somalia. The conference brought together participants from across the regionaland political spectrum of Somali society. For the first time in recent memory a face to face dialogue took place between supporters of Somaliland secession and those who are in the forefront in defending the unity and the territorial integrity of our country. There were moments of tears; moments of laughter and plenty moments of reflection.

The following constitute a Declaration of Principles advanced in the convention proceedings and that reflects the prevailing spirit of the Panelists and attendees:

1. PEACE AND RECONCILIATION

We hold that it is self evident that the root causes of the Somali conflict is not clan based but rather based on repeated violations of the human rights of the Somali citizen over the last 30 years and also based on poverty and persistent lack of human and food security.

We believe that an enduring peace can only be attained by addressing human rights issues and by strengthening the economic capacity of the state in a manner that delivers social services to the average citizen. Towards that goal, we urge the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to:

(a) Embark on a national Disarmament, Demobilization and Re-integration plan that is aimed at rehabilitating the thousands of youth who are disenfranchised into civic engagement. There will not be peace and stability so long as these youth are disenfranchised and are not made to be stakeholders in civil order and peace.

(b) Institute a national Human Rights public education campaign through the media, schools, civil society and also within law enforcement officials. Such education should also incorporate gender equality within all spheres of Somali public and private life.

(c) Extend the work and mandate of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) so as to take the reconciliation process to the local and regional levels as a confidence building mechanism.

(d) Appoint a national Emergency Preparedness and Refugee Commission that addresses the plight of the thousands of Somalis who are constantly being displaced by a combination of the vagaries of the weather and the civil war.

2. TRANSITIONAL FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS (TFI)

(a) The TFG should give top priority to building the capacity of TFIs. Towards that goal the TFG should put together an effective transparent program aimed at tapping into the professional and technical expertise of local Somali personnel as well as the Diaspora community. In order to successfully implement this interim emergency Program, the TFG should:
• Identify critical areas that require immediate professional and technical expertise, and qualifications of
potential applicants to these positions; and Request the United Nations, Arab League, EU, and
individuals countries to fund this initiative.

(b) The TFG should without delay appoint an Election Commission, made up of credible membership, to prepare for future Elections and Referendums and seek appropriate technical and financial support from the international community for such undertaking.

(c) The TFG is seen as a voiceless political entity. To fill this glaring void, the TFG should rehabilitate Radio Mogadishu and use it to loudly and clearly articulate to the Somali nation its vision and road map towards national recovery.

(d) The TFG should be more vigilant in protecting the territorial integrity of the country and should confront the schemes of secessionists who are aggressively engaged in attempts to break up the country; and

(e) The TFG should immediately address the illegal encroachment of regional administrations on the natural resources of the country and initiate capacity building initiatives aimed at protecting what remains of our natural resources while at the same time holding Regional Administrations accountable for encroaching on jurisdictions falling within the TFG mandate. It should be made clear that the natural resources (below and the surface) of Somalia belong to all the citizens of the nation, and that such benefits do not accrue solely to resource rich regions.

3. TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND NATIONAL UNITY

We hold that the Somali people are one unitary ethnic group that is bound by linguistic, cultural and religious under-pinning. As mentioned above, the root causes of the Somali conundrum is rooted in the past human rights violations committed against all Somali citizens of all regions, and the way forward is to work for a governance structure that is anchored on foundational principles of human rights and dignity.

We call upon the political elites in Hargeisa to stop the delusion of separatism and engage in national dialogue on resolving the seemingly intractable problems of the country. In the long run, peace and stability in pockets of a country is unsustainable while other parts of the country are gripped with violence and lawlessness. The Somali people share common political challenges emanating from shared social and economical realties.The problems are the same and the potential solutions are the same. Moreover, both international law and convention are in line with the preservation of the sanctity of the territorial integrity and unity of Somalia as are consistent declarations and resolutions by the UN, the EU, the AU, the LAS, IGAD and the United States.

We are encouraged by the recent reaffirmation of these principles by the United States government. At the same time, we are deeply concerned by the recent visit to Hargeisa by Madam Jendayi Frazer; an act that we consider is counter productive to the good efforts of the International Contact Group on Somalia, in which the United States plays a crucial role. We urge that any future informal contacts with the Hargeisa secessionists must present a concurrent opportunity to remind them of the United States’ full commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of the Somali nation.

4. INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP

We call upon the International Contact Group on Somalia to convene an urgent donor’s conference on Somalia and mobilize and commit the necessary funding for the Transitional Federal Institutions. The TFG can not embark on a meaningful reconciliation process, will not be able to properly train law enforcement officials, can not engage in capacity building of its institutions, can not institute proper revenue generation processes, will not be able to disarm and rehabilitate the militia- unless requisite funding is availed to it. We believe that, following the Afghanistan model, a unified donor response is appropriate for the TFG to go beyond the current stalemate.

5. CONCLUSION

It is resolved that MOVEONSOMALIA is determined to move Somalia forward. In order to do so, we will engage in an intensive campaign to create a movement built on a solid coalition for peace and unity and to change the divisive mindset wrapped in the madness that got us into this cesspool of injustice, civil war, hatred, poverty, anarchy, piracy and lately extremism. Towards that goal, MOVEONSOMALIA will hold periodic workshops, seminars and town hall meetings inside the country and outside in order to genuinely engage the Somali public on a national conversation around issues of human rights, justice and fairness, peace and dialogue, respect and unity.

For those who share this national urgency and want to MOVE SOMALIA FORWARD, please join us and sign up for this urgent duty at: http://www.moveonsomalia.org/contact-us.html

WE SHALL MOVE ON…… AND YES, WE CAN!