International Contact Group on Somalia (ICGS)

The New SYL
New Somali Youth League
Somali Political Party
PRESS RELEASE

4th April 2007

In the wake of the International Contact Group on Somalia (ICGS) meeting in Cairo there was the hope that a way will be found to solve the current dilemma in Somalia. The urgency in their meeting in response to the fiasco in the ground did not match the outcome.
Though essential in condemning the presence of extremist’s elements in the current clashes, however it cannot be largely attributed to the cause of the current unrests in Mogadishu. We have continuously stated in the past and reiterate now that the unilateral approach pursued by the TFG leader who has the military support from the occupying Ethiopian forces can be said to be the catalyst and the major ingredient to the conflicts in Mogadishu. It is these put together with the fact the presence of a unauthorized Ethiopian troops in Somalia that are a cause to resistance and the creation of, if any, elements of extremism.
We warned before that the TFG should be transparent and representative in order to win the trust of the Somali people, but when you have the President of the TFG and other high ranking officials condoning the continuous and indiscriminate shelling for three days on densely populated areas in Mogadishu by Ethiopian troops, then it becomes questionable whether they are a reconciliation government or even whether they hold dear the interest of the Somali people.

Never the less we support the ICGS’s fostering for an all inclusive and genuine political reconciliation process. And we urge them to convene such a meeting independent from the influence and control of the TFG, who are no longer an entity of reconciliation, and the Ethiopian government who have been embroiled in the Somali political dilemma due to reasons known to them. Note that this step is vital in attempt to make the conference a genuine and all inclusive.
The ICGS support for the AMISOM troops in Somalia is essentially beneficial in order to achieve a stable and reconciled Somalia, but however this approach will be undermined by the presence of Ethiopian troops in the country. Therefore the ICGS should make a priority in immediately withdrawing the occupying Ethiopian troops. It is imperative that they realize the presence of these troops only further propagates armed resistance and a haven for elements opposed to acceptable Somali solution.

Mr. Awale Ali Kullane
Leader of the New SYL
Phone/fax 00447092877136