MOGADISHU 21ST OF MARCH 2007

THE NEW SYL
NEW SOMALI YOUTH LEAGUE
SOMALI POLITICAL PARTY

August 16, 2008

New SYL Press release

MOGADISHU 21ST OF MARCH 2007

We the New SYL are saddened by the outcome of the clashes this morning (21/March/2007) in Mogadishu. This was propagated by the intend of the illegitimate TFG troops accompanied by occupying Ethiopian troops.
The intention of the President of the TFG to use his clan militias, whom he terms as national army, along with the Ethiopian troops to disarm other clan militias will only spiral clan animosity and armed conflicts. This is not a solution. This is not a Transitional National Government set to reconcile and peacefully and equally disarm armed clan militias. This is not the reconciliation government structured and validated in Nairobi two and half years. It has thwarted from the principles it was set out for. It is no longer balanced on power sharing and it has turned to be despotic under its leader, President Yusuf.
The TFG leader and his Ethiopian cohorts claim to be fighting against the remnants of the Islamic Courts Union, hence their falsified claim ‘fighting against internationally organized terrorist group’ seems to have bought them the support, time and most of all the insignificance of the International Community towards the disaster situation in Somalia. They could have not been far from the truth. The armed resistance opposed to the TFG and their cohorts are those that are opposed to the unilateralism of the TFG, those who oppose the usage of clan as National army and deployed to disarm other clans, those who oppose the presence of the Ethiopian invading troops in Somalia who have no regional and international mandate in Somalia. And without doubt the armed resistance will continue and gain momentum unless the situation is amended.
The International Community, particularly the UN Security Council and the EU should immediately and unconditionally interfere the mishap situation and to urge and enforce:
• The unconditional and immediate withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia.
• Immediately asking for a halt to the armed and violent aggression by the TFG and Ethiopian troops.
• Encourage and request the reformation of the TFG in the manner and purpose it was created for – restoring its legitimate Speaker of Parliament, and seating the TFG Parliament in an environment independent from the intrusion of President Yusuf and his guardians the Ethiopian government – this will be a big step in creating and harboring the trust of the general Somali public.
• The International Community should with immediate effect consider, heed and address the two Press Statements issued by the Hawiye Community on 06/March/2007 & 20/March/2007.
• To foster, convene and host a reconciliation conference among all members of the Somali political forces – including a ‘unified’ TFG, Islamic Courts Union, tribal and religious leaders, civic societies, Somalia Diaspora, and other prominent and reputed Somali figures. Please note that the organization of such meeting should not be involved with IGAD who has failed Somalia miserably.

We urge and reiterate the urgency of matter that requires the immediate attention of the International Community. We regret our previous warnings were not heeded, we hope the issues we raise now are noticed and amended in order to avoid further disaster.
AWALE@YAHOO.COM
PHONE: 00447092877136 • FAX: 00447092877136