Somalia: National Salvation Caucus (NSC) – Press Release (05.01.2019)

Opinion: FGS and Villa Somalia won over Haysom, but what gives?

That Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) Nicholas Haysom wrote a letter to Federal Government of Somalia of 30^th December 2018. Which has brought a fire-storm. That led to the order from the FGS or Villa Somalia on the 2^nd January 2019, that he was put on notice as a “Person Non-Grata”. On the 4^th January 2019, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres wrote a statement, that he was going to replace Haysom as the Representative and Head of UNSOM.

Certainly, the FGS and Villa Somalia have been playing high stakes, they have sort of won now. The FGS and Villa Somalia might seems like they won with dodging Haysom and his ways. However, even as a sovereign state are allowed to decide who works and stays within their republic. Nevertheless, the FGS and Villa Somalia are in need of the UNSOM and the foreign donations to run their government. Therefore, the state has to work with the UNSOM, because of how the times are in Mogadishu.

Even if President Farmaajo and Prime Minister Kheire have won this one against Haysom. Because he asked about the actions and arrests done by the state. That the UNSOM was asking for an inquiry into the actions of the arrest surrounding the arrest of Mukhtar Robow, the former Al-Shabab leader who was running for Public Office in one of the Member States. This has clearly put strains on the working-relations between the parties. Which is evident by the timeline and the actions done since December 2018.

We can really see how Robow participating in politics is creating hostilities, that the FGS and Villa Somalia is struggling with it. And when UNSOM wondered about their actions. Instead of answering and owning up to their actions. They expelled the man asking questions. The FGS and Villa Somalia could have acted with sense, but instead acted with haste. The UNSOM could have answered and suspended more activity. Like the European Commission, United Kingdom and Germany did on the 2^nd January to suspend funding of the Joint Police Programme in South West State, where the actions was. Therefore, the FGS and Villa Somalia knows perfectly well, that their actions has consequences outside of Mogadishu.

There is clearly actions happening, that there are implications in the South West State and their internal election. Also, there are most likely a new representative and head of UNSOM. That person, might even be more direct and go directly to the President and PM, to get answers when the state acts with violence and arrests. That is why UNSOM head asked for an inquiry. Which is natural after the state uses deadly force. Just like the UNSOM and FGS should ask for after every single use of drone attacks by the US Army on Somalian territory. The FGS and Villa Somalia should wish that, as they want to be transparent and answer for possible misgivings.

That the FGS and Villa Somalia won today is evident. But if they will win with more hostile actions against the UN? I doubt that, because how much gives, right?

The FGS and Somalia is a sovereign, but at the same time. As so much of their operations are done through the United Nations and with foreign donations. They should be working closer with them and find out the initial reason why a UN Representative asks for something and what is the reason. Not just banishing them, making them illegal aliens in the Republic. They should find solutions and be statesmen. Not just big-men without consideration for protocol. Cannot the political landscape of Villa Somalia and FGS handle letters from the UNSOM, but only papers promising funds for government operations?

That is what it looks like and its not a good look! Peace.

United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres letter to UN staff in Somalia (04.01.2019)

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on Somalia (04.01.2019)

The Secretary-General remains strongly committed to assisting Somalia in its efforts to achieve peace, stability and prosperity for all.

NEW YORK, United States of America, January 4, 2019 –  The Secretary-General deeply regrets the decision of the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia to declare the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), Nicholas Haysom, persona non grata.

The Secretary-General has full confidence in Mr. Haysom, an experienced and respected international civil servant who has distinguished himself in numerous senior leadership roles, in the field and at UN Headquarters.

The doctrine of persona non grata does not apply to, or in respect of, United Nations personnel.  As described in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the doctrine applies to diplomatic agents who are accredited by one State to another in the context of their bilateral relations.  The United Nations is not a State and its personnel are not accredited to the States where they are deployed, but work under the sole responsibility of the Secretary-General.

At the same time the Secretary-General is totally committed to ensuring that the needs of the Somali people are at the forefront of the work of the United Nations in Somalia. UNSOM needs to be able to carry out in the most effective manner its mandate to support the country.  Therefore, he intends to appoint in due course a new Special Representative for Somalia and Head of UNSOM.

The Secretary-General remains strongly committed to assisting Somalia in its efforts to achieve peace, stability and prosperity for all.

‘Milestones are clear’ for ‘significant progress’ in Somalia during 2019, Security Council hears (04.01.2019)

Nicholas Haysom commended the Office of the Prime Minister “for leading Government efforts to tackle corruption”, and praised improvements in public financial management.

NEW YORK, United States of America, January 4, 2019 – Somali Government efforts to build a lasting peace through political reform and transformation have progressed along a “positive trajectory” but everyone involved in the process needs to “pull in the same direction”, the UN Special Representative in the country told the Security Council on Thursday.

Nicholas Haysom commended the Office of the Prime Minister “for leading Government efforts to tackle corruption”, and praised improvements in public financial management which had led to a recorded surplus of $8 million last September.

But turning to Somalia’s complex “Roadmap on Inclusive Politics” reform process, he said that a “key milestone” had been missed in not meeting the December deadline for a draft new Electoral Law. Despite that, the National Independent Electoral Commission has made progress with voter registration planning, and 35 political parties have been officially registered.

“Women’s meaningful participation” in the Constitutional Review process, and other draft national agreements on justice, mineral resource-sharing, “allocation of powers and fiscal federalism” was essential, said the top UN official from South Africa, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia, UNSOM.

Overshadowing progress there however, he said, was a continuing stalemate between the leaders of central Government, and Somalia’s Member States, which “continues to impede progress in defining the federal model, building institutions of state, and in the implementation of the National Security Architecture”.

There had been encouraging steps taken to “restore relations” by the President and Prime Minister, and a committee established to work with the Upper House of parliamentary representatives, Mr. Haysom told Council members.

Risk that ‘complexity shifts to conflict’

The Special Representative noted that “politics is complex in any nation, but in one that is still establishing its norms, institutional parameters” and debating how they will work for the common good “there is a risk that complexity shifts to conflict”.

This had proved the case in the election process for South West State, where allegations of interference by the Federal Government and violence which erupted following the arrest of a candidate who was a former al-Shabaab deputy-leader, “marred the process and does not bode well for upcoming” elections, said Mr. Haysom.

He said it was regrettable that 15 people, including a regional assembly member had lost their lives, adding that the detention of the former extremist group leader, could deter others from abandoning terrorist violence, for the ballot box.

Al-Shabaab still the ‘biggest source of insecurity’

Al-Shabaab continues to be “the biggest source of insecurity in Somalia” said Mr. Haysom, welcoming the Government’s condemnation of the group’s attack on New Year’s Day against the UN’s headquarters in the Somali capital, which injured three staff members.

Thanks to the African Union’s AMISOM troops, and Government forces, conventional attacks have been largely stymied he said, with Al-Shabaab now relying on assassinations and improvised explosives, but “indiscriminate attacks” were still a constant threat.

He added that the UN had “continued to support conflict prevention and conflict resolution efforts in several parts of the country in collaboration with our partners”, said the top official.

Humanitarian needs remain high, with 4.2 million requiring assistance and protection, almost two-thirds of them children. “Around 1.5 million are severely food insecure at crisis or emergency levels. Around 2.6 million people are internally-displaced” he said.

Finally, he added, respect of human rights in the country and international humanitarian law, and the protection of civilians caught up in violence, “remains key for Somalia’s transition and sustainable peace”.

For more on this story including remarks made by the head of AMISOM, and the Somali Ambassador to the UN, go to our UN Meetings Coverage here.

Somalia: Another Perfect Storm – The Senate distance themselves from the Lower House!

“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.” – Alexandre Dumas

Today, it is now revealed, that the Senate has written a letter, where they have formally suspended their relations with the Lower House. This is yet another step-back, as the politicians are internally conflicted. This is happening as Federal Government of Somalia, Villa Somalia and the Prime Minister are squabbling with the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). The aftermath of the actions done in December 2018 is really paying off.

The FGS and Villa Somalia are really playing high stakes putting the UN Representative for Somalia as Person Non-Grata. They are now seeing the Member States and Somaliland distancing themselves again with the FGS/Villa Somalia. As that is happening, now the Senate and Lower House have distanced themselves. It is surely some back-room play.

Just like it was with the rounds of impeachment of the President Farmaajo and later it wasn’t. This is again another political game made by the politicians. Who knows for what reasons, if they are all playing for the guards, as they are reacting because of the UN representative. If not, it is because they want to show independence and being sovereign. However, the funding of the FGS and Member States are happening mostly from abroad. Meaning, the relationship with UN and UNSOM is vital, as they are paying salaries and funding government projects.

We are seeing more and more internal squabble, where both Member States, Somaliland, now the Chambers of Parliament is also creating an issue. That the Senate have suspended their operations and work together with the Lower House. These actions are happening within a span of 48 hours.

There is yet another dispute, another layer of trouble. Clearly, the Villa Somalia have to clear the air, if they are having proper leadership. As the fragile ways of today and yesterday, is not showing greatness, but more weakness. The President and Prime Minister has react and show strength. They have to take responsibility and finds way to narrow the differences. That they care about the situation and explain it. Because right now, the FGS, Villa Somalia and all parties looks like whirlwind. Peace.

UN: Aid agencies estimate that 4.2 million people in Somalia will need of humanitarian assistance and protection in 2019 (03.01.2019)

Somalia: South West Senators – Press Release (03.01.2019)

Somalia: National Salvation Caucus (NSC) – Press Release (02.01.2019)

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Somalia: AU Special Representative condems yesterday’s attack on AMISOM basecamp in Mogadishu (02.01.2019)