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Informal expression of the views from the international observers addressed to chairman and members of the IGAD technical committee

And

 

TO THE LEADERS COMMITTEE

 

Thursday, 10 July 2003

 

 

The international observers would like to express their views on recent important development arising form the conference. These views are expressed on informal basis and are intended as recommendations made with the spirit of enhancing and strengthening the various outcomes of the conference.

 

• The international observers welcome the document agreed by the leaders committee on 5^th July 2003. They understand that much of the document will be incorporated in the draft transitional charter. In doing so, the international observers see the imperative need for various aspects of the document to be further developed. In doing so, the international observers note that certain issues of major political importance should be the subject of further negations before their inclusion in the draft.

 

In particular, the observers wish to make the following specific remarks:

 

• The international observers adhere to offering full support to an all-inclusive political agreement to become the basis for broad based government for Somalia in fulfillment of the fundamental objectives of the conference.

 

• The role of the plenary as the forum for final debate and approval should be strictly upheld according to the rules of procedure of the conference. The international observers urge achieving adequate agreement on important aspects of the draft charter before holding the final plenary deliberations to approve the document.

 

• The recognition of the unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Somalia cannot be overlooked. The international observers find the absence of this statement from the document agreed on 5^th July as a significant oversight.

 

• There is a need to better clarify how the issue of federalism will be addressed during the transitional period. It is observed that while leaders and other delegates have expressed their desire to achieve federalism in Somalia, there is confusion over the matter, arising from the lack of clarity on the course of action that will be followed in implementing this desire. Ambiguity is also observed on the manner in which existing administrations inside Somalia would be dealt with during the transitional period. On their past, the international observers commit to provide backup support to the constitutional dialogue as well as to efforts in decentralization during the interim period.

 

• Because it has been agreed that the parliament should be formed on clan basis, the international observers see the need for a key role for the clan traditional leaders in order to secure greatest legitimacy as well as public support to the final outcome. The international observers strongly recommended consensus among all stakeholders in this important exercise. They further recommend making public the procedure for structuring and organizing the selection process of members of the future transitional assembly in order for all delegates to be clear on the role of various stakeholders.

 

• The international observers are of the view that it is not within the privileges of the conference to make alterations in the status of Somalia in various international and regional organizations during the transitional period. They draw attention to the need of maintaining Arabic at the same level as Somali as an official language in the charter since it is a requirement if Somalia is to continue enjoying membership in the League of Arab states.

 

• In addition, the international observers see the need for addressing the issue of the capital as a component of the draft charter. The observers have been left with the understanding that Mogadishu would continue to be the capital city.

 

 

The international observers submitting these views on informal basis are:

 

The Special Envoy of Italy to Somalia

The Special Envoy of the League of Arab States to Somalia.

The Special Envoy of Egypt to Somalia

Representatives from the African Union

Representatives of the US Embassy in Nairobi

Representatives from the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi

Representatives from the Embassy of Germany in Nairobi

Representatives of the British High Commission in Nairobi

Representatives of the United Nations political Office for Somalia

Representatives from the Delegation of the European Commission in Nairobi.