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Istanbul, Turkey, June 2,
2012 – The United Nations Secretary-General warned against the dangers
of a power vacuum in Somalia with the mandate of the "Somalia transition
government" due to end this August. The warning was made at the end of
a two day international conference on Somalia in Istanbul, Turkey that
included representatives from 54 countries.
The
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned delegates at the Istanbul
conference on Somalia against the dangers of warlords exploiting a power
vacuum in the east African country and said the international community
must strengthen security and increase aid in order to head off the
warlords.
The Somali transitional government mandate expires on August 20th. But
Secretary-General Ban said the conference gave positive commitments to
be ready for that date.
"I was assured by President Sheik Ahmed and all the delegations hoped
and expected ((the transitional government)) should be ended by that
day. By then Somalia must have broad-based and inclusive political
governance," Ban said.
Ban said a new president of Somalia must be elected by August 20 and he
said the new government should be based on an established constitution.
He said the new government must reflect international human rights
standards and the new constitution should be put to a referendum open to
all Somalis regardless of gender, clan or political affiliation.
The Secretary-General praised the commitment to 30% female
representation in the planned constituent Assembly and new parliament of
Somalia.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu addressing the closing press
conference said the Istanbul meeting had agreed on a new initiative with
the emphasis on security for Somalia.
He said the three pillars to rebuilding Somalia are political
stability, economic re-development and especially security. He said
thats why we have agreed at this conference, under the initiative of
Turkey, to set up a "Rebuilding and Restructuring fund for the Somali
security sector."
The call for urgent international aid for Somalia came as allegations of
corruption hung over the conference.
According to a World Bank report, over $100 million in aid to the
Somalia transitional government between 2009 and 2010 could not be
accounted for. But Somali President Sharif Sheik Ahmed welcomed the
report and call for international assistance.
He said the missing funds referred to never reached Somalia and he said
maybe they are in the pockets of other people. He said Somalis would
welcome the help of international organizations to help find where this
money went, as the Somalia transitional government is now struggling to
pay workers their wages.
The British foreign minister William Hague, who attended the conference,
called for the setting up, as soon as possible, of the Joint Financial
Management Board which was agreed upon at February's London conference
on Somalia. The board is intended to help regulate Somalia's finances
and development assistance.
The Istanbul meeting agreed on the establishment of a multi donor Trust
Fund for assistance after the transition of power to a new government in
August.
Source:
VOA
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