Djibouti: International support vital to end Somali crisis, says Djibouti Foreign Minister

Special report (9th December, 2003)

Contents: Interview with Djibouti Foreign Minister

Prepared by: Khalif Hassan Ahmed
Information and Documentation
Officer Novib Somalia/Mbagathi

Beneficiaries: Novib, EC Somalia Unit, UN
Agencies, International/Local
Partners, Media Houses, Core
Groups in Somalia and Diaspora

Priority: External

Means: Email

Interview with Djibouti Foreign Minister

Djibouti is one of the key players in the ongoing Somali peace talks and they led the Arta Peace Conference in 2002 that resulted in the formation of the Transitional National Government (TNG) – one of the groups who have withdrawn from the current peace talks.

Djibouti was a member of the IGAD Technical Committee as a Frontline State but they differed with management of the conference and withdrew from the Technical Committee and any structure within the Frontline States on 18 October 2003. The IGAD Heads of States Summit held In Kampala in October of this year then expanded the management of the conference. They agreed to bring on board the rest of the IGAD member states and renamed the IGAD Facilitation Committee. The Kampala Summit also recommended that a retreat be held for the Somali leaders to provide them with an opportunity to mend their differences. The retreat was meant to take place December 9 but was postponed to December 18 following the IGAD Ministerial Committee meeting held in Nairobi on December 8.

Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Ali Abdi Farah, took part in the IGAD Ministerial Committee meeting. The Novib Discussion Platform met with the Minister to discuss the progress of the talks among other things:

Question: Your Excellency, you were updated on the progress of the talks including the visit of the Troika to Mogadishu, what is your take on that?

Hon. Ali A. Farah: The Troika visited Mogadishu and they met and discussed with the groups there. The Troika met with several groups including the TNG and the National Salvation Council chaired by Musse Suddi Yallahow. They fulfilled their duties but what is most important is the Ministerial meeting that was held on December 8 and the communiqué released following it. The conference has continued for a while and has been surrounded by missed opportunities without justifiable reasons and the Somalis have also played a role in this. Initially, the retreat was planned for December 9 but was rescheduled to allow time for further consultations. The aim of the retreat is to iron out the differences between the Somali groups and to build a foundation for the remaining part of the conference. For their part, the Somalis have to demonstrate seriousness and reach compromises for the sake of their people. We also decided that those groups who do not show up will be confronted with unity.

Question: Your decision is not clear on the steps that will be taken against those who refuse to attend the retreat and the chance to reach a compromise.

Hon. Ali A. Farah: Those who do not comply are undermining the reconciliation conference and the interests of the Somali people. We will take their case to the relevant fora and to authorities including the UN Security Council. This conforms to the actions taken against those who acted in similar ways elsewhere in the world.

Question: You had some concerns on the management of the peace conference. How is expanded Facilitation Committee different from the previous Technical Committee when Kenya is still in the drivers seat?

Hon. Ali A. Farah: This is not about the Frontline States now. The conference was in the hands of the Frontline States for a year and no tangible progress was made. The current expanded set-up was brought up as an alternative solution. It was agreed upon in order to bring the Frontline States closer together and to overcome the discrepancies created by the Chairman. The ownership of the conference has to be fully undertaken by the Somalis in this arrangement. This leaves IGAD with the role of facilitation and the chairmanship is neither for Kenya nor IGAD but for the Somalis from now on.

Question: Do you (IGAD Member Countries) have a sense of unity on Somalia?

Hon. Ali A. Farah: We have a sense of unity and for us from Djibouti; we will always express our position on matters of concern – today and in the future. We are also impressed that our proposal was accepted by the IGAD Summit in Kampala and is being implemented now.

Question: Were the challenges of participation for the retreat resolved by the Ministerial meeting yesterday, or is the question of the signatories still a deciding factor?

Hon. Ali A. Farah: It was resolved and the question is not number, but even those who call themselves leaders do not exist in the practical sense. Somalis are in desperate situation and the leaders’ dignity is questionable both in Somalia and in the Diaspora.

Question: You are regarded as one of the most experienced officials in understanding the Somali conflict given the several conferences that have been held in your country to resolve the challenges facing Somalia. Based on your experiences from those conferences, where do you think the weakness lie in addressing the problems of the current conference?

Hon. Ali A. Farah: Arta was not inclusive and most of the faction leaders were absent. Upon their arrival in Mogadishu, the TNG were given a tremendous welcome but they failed to take advantage of that opportunity. In actual fact, the opposition took advantage of the gap and the TNG did not promote reconciliation with these groups. A commission was appointed to enhance reconciliation and the members included the former civilian Prime Minister, Abdirizak Haji Hussein, and the famous Somali writer, Nuruddin Farah. Unfortunately, this was not successful. Upon seeing this weakness, Djibouti proposed the current peace conference to IGAD.

With the set up of the TNG, the Somali people felt that the lost statehood was restored and all the grounded institutions would start working again. However the reality was that the TNG remained in a hotel for six months.

Question: Can we say Djibouti lost confidence on the TNG?
Hon. Ali A. Farah: I can’t say that because the international community did not help the TNG in achieving its goals, including disarmament and reconstruction.

Question: You have been accused of leaning towards, and supporting, the TNG and Abdiqassim – what do say to that?

Hon. Ali A. Farah: That is baseless and we do not support any faction or group in the Somali political landscape, rather we stand for the common interest of the Somali people.

Question: Given the discussed challenges, is it realistic to limit international community’s involvement to funding?

Hon. Ali A. Farah: The international community’s support is vital, both materially and technically, and we will accept any forthcoming contributions. This is a devastated country and it requires a collective effort – from the process to the emergent structures, until Somalia can stand on its own feet.

Question: Your Excellency, What do you think is the root cause of the Somali problem?

Hon. Ali A. Farah: The problem of Somalia is based in injustice and this is the area that needs to be addressed effectively. What happened in Somalia has to be a lesson and in addressing the injustice, the issue of inclusivity has to be given a critical and hard look.

Question: The Somali conflict is said to have an external dimension. What is your take on this, especially as a neighbor?

Hon. Ali A. Farah: The problem of Somalia is with the Somalis and blaming Ethiopia or Djibouti is pointless. If the Somalis come up with a vision and drive towards its achievement, then Djibouti, Kenya or Ethiopia will be in no position to stop them.

Question: What is your advice to all actors, both domestic and external, in the talks?

Hon. Ali A. Farah: For IGAD, we are committed to the talks, even though malicious information is being spread that Ethiopia and Djibouti are trying to derail the talks. Ethiopia and Djibouti want the best for Somalia, we share a long border with Somalia and our interest for a peaceful Somalia is obvious. The problem is with the Somali leaders who are protecting their short-term self-interest. I advise the Somali groups to change this and to show a commitment to regaining their dignity and they will be remembered in history for such positive actions. For the Diaspora, an overseas assignment or job, however prestigious, is not a long-term solution but the way forward lies in redirecting their skills and talent towards resolving Somalia’s conflict.
The international community has to assume its responsibility and the driver seat needs to be taken by the UN. Somalia has been destroyed and the faction leaders have continued to exacerbate the situation. For this to be reversed, we ask for actions to be taken against them and have them brought to justice. Major Powers like the EU, the USA and others, have to assist in this - beginning with the peace process and the emergent structures, until Somalia assumes its seat in the international circle.