Somali Foreign Minister looks ahead to the Somalia Conference
Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Fawzia Yusuf Adam, writes about the upcoming Somalia Conference which will be held on 7 May.
Somali Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam
Writing on Foreign Secretary William Hague鈥檚 , the Foreign Minister said the conference 鈥渨ill mark the beginning of a new partnership between Somalia and the international community鈥�.
She wrote:
鈥淟ast month the President of Somalia made his first visit to the UK in his official capacity, marking another important step in our country鈥檚 journey to a safer and more secure future for Somali people everywhere.
鈥淭his visit was important because so much has changed in Somalia over the last 12 months, and because, working in partnership with the British Government and the rest of the international community, we now have a real chance to move on from the problems of the past.
鈥淚n a speech during his visit, the President described Somalia as having been in a coma for 20 years. He likened it to a patient who has responded to medication but remains in intensive care.
鈥淭he analogy is a good one 鈥� in part because it suggests how devastating the years of conflict and famine have been for the Somali people 鈥� but also because it underlines the continuing fragility.
鈥淭he achievements of the last year do offer real hope for a brighter future, but they are precarious and the road to full recovery will be long.
鈥淭hat is why it is so important that we make the most of the opportunities open to us throughout this year to build strong Somali government institutions, effective security forces and judiciary, and transparent and accountable public finance systems which can help our country stand on its feet again.
鈥淲ith our international partners, we hope to make measurable progress in addressing these issues at the Somalia Conference that we will co-host with the British Government on 7 May in London.
鈥淭his conference will also mark the beginning of a new partnership between Somalia and the international community. I would encourage Somalis and their friends across the world to join in the discussions now and let your vision for the future be heard.鈥�
The Governments of the UK and Somalia will co-host an international conference on Somalia on 7 May in the UK. The conference aims to provide international support for the Government of Somalia as they rebuild their country after two decades of conflict.
Further Information
British Office for Somalia on , &