Tuesday, May 7th 2013 http://www.standardmedia.co.ke Here is President Uhuru Kenyatta’s speech during the Somalia conference held at Lancaster house, London on Tuesday:
The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, Excellencies Heads of State and Government gathered here today, Ladies and Gentlemen
First and foremost, I wish to thank the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister and Her Majesty’s Government for making it possible for us to meet here today.
At the outset, let me reaffirm my Government support for a secure and stable Somalia. This Conference comes up at a unique and critical period in our efforts to realize this common objective. It marks the beginning of a new partnership between Somalia and its neighbours and friends.
Since I took office, just four weeks ago, I have on two occasions held extremely useful discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud aimed at seeking to advance our shared goals.
In particular, I invited President Hassan to Mombasa during which we agreed on a number of important steps that will safeguard our common interest during the post conflict, peace-building and stabilization process.
Only last Friday, the Heads of State and Government of IGAD met in Addis Ababa, where we welcomed the Somali Federal Government’s National Stabilization Plan.
The Summit agreed on specific principles on which all processes, including the ongoing efforts to set up regional administrations and stabilization efforts, will be anchored. In this regard, I call on the international community to support the efforts being undertaken by IGAD.
The successful conclusion of the Transition Roadmap in August last year and the liberation of large territory from the control of Al Shabaab have widened a window of opportunity for lasting peace in Somalia. Somalia is on course, now more than ever, to lasting peace.
Excellencies, I acknowledge that this Conference considers security as essential to any meaningful stabilization process without which, the political, economic recovery and development, and humanitarian programmes are not viable.
In this regard, it is imperative that the reform of the Somali security sector be holistic, inclusive, logically sequenced and prioritized.
In creating the Somali National Security Forces, the process must include the systematic and orderly integration of the various allied forces that are currently engaged in the anti-Al Shabaab war; including orderly reception of Al-Shabaab deserters, their rehabilitation, re-training and integration into the security forces or any other institutions where they will perform productive civilian roles.
It is also critical that this process includes the civilian components of the entire justice administration system. We are also of the opinion that Somalia needs to develop the necessary capabilities to confront the myriad internal security challenges facing the country, which have a ripple effect on the region as a whole.
Furthermore, we believe that the capacity of Somalia to effectively deal with the internal security situation is a prerequisite for peace and stability.
We, moreover, call upon the Federal Government of Somalia to ensure compliance with international norms and standards on arms inventory management and safekeeping.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Last year, in a similar conference right here in Lancaster House, my predecessor called the international community’s attention to the disproportionate burden that Kenya has continued to bear for over two decades.
As a country, we continue to host what is the largest population of Somalis outside their country. They occupy a camp that carries a population larger than the third largest city in Kenya, and even a larger number is spread across the country. This situation is untenable.
Apart from the humanitarian crisis, the situation continues to pause security threats to Kenya and the region.
I therefore wish to, first, as a matter of priority, reaffirm the position taken by IGAD during its 21st Extra Ordinary Summit on 3rd May, 2013 which called on the international community to develop modalities for safe and orderly return and resettlement of Somali refugees with definite time lines.
Second, we recognize that the issue of securing peace in Somalia is of crucial importance to the return of refugees. In this regard, it is of great importance that the international community support to AMISOM be not only assured but expanded as a matter of urgency.
Third, we also recognize that once the refugees have returned home, they must find an environment that can support their livelihoods.
In this regard, we urge the international community, in particular the United Nations, the World Bank and the African Development Bank, to work in concert to help create this environment. This, we propose, should be the three tier outcome we want to see out of this Conference.
Excellencies, Kenya is in the process of putting in place a diverse and expanded framework for cooperation and assistance as requested by our Somali counterparts. Capacity building in identified priority areas will be offered under this framework.
It is noteworthy, that Kenya has already trained more than 2,500 Somali soldiers and is willing to offer further assistance as requested in training Somali judicial and financial officers at relevant institutions.
This will include a program of secondment to Government institutions in Kenya.
Further, my Government is interested in a tripartite model which would provide for partnering with the international community to train Somali nationals at established training institutions in Kenya.
This, in our view, would provide a cost-effective model which
will enable large numbers of Somali nationals to be trained rapidly in a
familiar environment.
Finally, I wish to conclude my remarks by
reiterating Kenya’s and other IGAD member states’ commitment to continue
supporting reformed being undertaken by the Somalia Government in various priority areas. I appeal to the international community in turn to redouble their support to the stabilization, reconstruction and long term development of Somalia, because as we all know, a stable and prosperous Somalia is in the interest of all nations.
I thank you.
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