World G18 Somalia plans to host a major meeting in the summer to address the special challenges facing Somalia’s coastal communities. The meeting will update participants on current efforts to revive the traditional fishing and coastal communities of Somalia. Many of these have witnessed loss of population, caused by piracy, lack of investment, poor education and health facilities, poor road connections and the rival attractions of inland cities. Surveys undertaken by World G18 Somalia for the ‘Six Villages’, Las Quoray, Hiis, Eyl, Garacad, Hobbio and Lughaya indicate clearly the shortcomings in international support for these coastal communities and the degree of assistance needed.
Currently, there are several projects being undertaken about which the UK Somali diaspora will wish to learn more about. These industry-supported initiatives provide an opportunity to foster greater synergies and momentum. They include
• Norwegian Church Aid: supported by Norwegian Ship owners’ Association and Den Norske
Krigsforsikring for Skib
• Save the Children: supported by Danish Ship owners’ Association & individual companies
• Somali Fair Fishing: supported by 20+ companies and foundations
• UNDP Alternative Livelihood Project: funded by 7 shipping companies under the Joint
Industry Contribution to Support Community Projects in Somalia
• Oceans Beyond Piracy - Port Development Pilot Project: Berbera
Also, the UN FAO initiative to deploy Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) along the Somali coast supervised by EUROMARFOR.
However, World G18 Somalia believes the international community has continually failed to create a credible policy for reviving Somalia’s coastal communities. In 2012, the responsible UK government minister Henry Bellingham stated “The government has decided to commit £2M to community engagement and economic development projects in coastal regions” World G18 Somalia tracked this and discovered it had been allocated to the UNDP’s Joint Programme on Local Governance which, while a worthwhile project, had only a minimal part relating to coastal activities.
A scoping meeting will be held in London on 7 May to be attended by diaspora groups linked to coastal villages, principally the six villages of Las Quoray, Hiis, Eyl, Garacad, Hobbio and Lughaya.

Chairman Ahmed Hersi, together with WG18 Secretary Mahdi Dini and many members of WG18 attended the conference in London organised by Shuraako, the US-based non-profit initiative that encourages incoming investments in Somalia and the US Embassy (Nairobi). The event convened entrepreneurs, investors, sector experts, business development experts and other stakeholders – all of whom are focused on Somalia – to discuss Somali investing and to make investment deals.

4 November World G18 Somalia has registered as a Supportive Entity of the Human Rights at Sea International Initiative which has been independently developed for the benefit of the international community, including the maritime industry, for matters and issues concerning human rights in the maritime environment. The initiative is led by David Hammond of 9 Bedford Row International.

“We welcome this important initiative which seeks to establish clear rules of engagement for flag States, ship owners, shipping associations, charterers, insurers, ship managers and agents, Private Maritime Security Companies and others. Also, the current indecision shown by European states on how to address the plight of refugees in danger of drowning in the Mediterranean reminds us of the expected adherence to the humanitarian obligations of ships’ captains” said Ahmed Hersi, Chairman.

For several years, World G18 Somalia, the UK’s leading apolitical Somali diaspora group, has followed closely successive failures by the UN and the international maritime authorities to agree clear guidelines for the maritime community. In 2012, World G18 Somalia submitted evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee during its session examining piracy off the Somalia coast[1]. “At the time, we were appalled by the state of confusion in which interested parties had to operate and the subsequent impact this had on impoverished Somali coastal communities.” Said Mr Hersi.

For more information on the Human Rights at Sea Initiative, see here.

[1] See World G18 Somalia, News item, 5 January 2012

Ahmed Hersi, Chairman of World G18 Somalia, has announced the appointment of Hamid Mohmed Dualeh and Ms Hamdi Jama Ali as the organisations representatives in Sweden. Both are based in Stockholm.

Ahmed Hersi, Chairman of World G18 Somalia (WG18), has concluded two visits to Sweden to discuss proposals made by WG18 to develop Somalia’s neglected coastal towns. During these visits, he met representatives of the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and independent groups working on Oil and Conflict Research.

“Our proposals in 2012 for communities in Hobbyo, Garacad, Eyl, Lasqorey, Hiis and Lughaya set out to bring them better education and health facilities as well as training opportunities for their young people” said Mr Hersi. “But since then, the international community has persisted with totally inappropriate strategies, leaving youngsters in these communities to move to larger inland cities and become internally displaced persons (IDP). Their departure has turned these once thriving communities into ‘ghost towns’, easy for terrorists to use as bases from which to launch more dangerous expeditions than the pirates ever did and able to threaten even ports and shipping in the Gulf. So we have updated our proposals to reflect this new danger and I am pleased with the interest shown in Sweden.”

World G18 Somalia announces it has rebuilt its Executive Committee and roster of representatives in the UK diaspora community charged to report on developments in all of Somalia’s eighteen regions. These are posted on the website in About Us section under ‘Officers and Representatives’.

World G18 Somalia strongly denounces the atrocities and anti-Islamic acts perpetrated in the Westgate Mall in Nairobi last week and urges the UK diaspora community to take the lead in condemnation of all Al Shabaab activities. “The cowardly and barbaric treatment of innocent civilians in Nairobi last week and in Somalia with alarming frequency counters all norms of humanity and religious belief.” states Basha Jama, Secretary of World G18 Somalia, the UK diaspora-based non-political group which has strong links with all regions in Somalia.

“Al Shabaab’s regular attacks in Somalia, slaughtering students, women, children, MPs, ministers and innocent bystanders alike have not received the same degree of publicity as has the Westgate Mall incident. In this latest atrocity, Al Shabaab has taken its narrow-minded ideology to attack Kenyans who have generously offered a safe temporary home for half a million Somalis, fleeing the terrorists as much as famine while the new Somali government, with help from the international community, sets out to rebuild the country.”

“But the Somali community in the UK must condemn Al Shabaab with a louder voice” says World G18 Somalia, “By our silence, fearing for ourselves, we give Al Shabaab licence to continue in its crimes which, after Kenya, might next be here in the UK. In that case, we may be seen as complicit and that would be disastrous for us all so we must dare to speak out.”

World G18 Somalia urges all Somalis in the UK to show their support for the country they love and which so many support financially and to join the campaign to reject Al Shabaab and its misguided supporters wherever they live.

Basha Jama
Secretary

Contact:
Phone 07943 246 527
e-mail: bashawwaris@hotmail.co.uk

Somalia: Open for Business conference was “best for many years” says diaspora

“This was the best conference on Somalia for years. It was about business and development, not politics!” said Sakariye Haji Abdi, former Minister of Information, at the end of Somalia Open for Business organised by a consortium of UK-based Somali organisations. Participants came from all over the UK and were linked to all regions of Somalia. Several embassies were represented as were many UK companies keen to open up business in Somalia.

It was standing room only in the large hall as Hugh Scott, Director, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund and Toaha Qureshi, Chairman, Forum for International Relations Development, outlined how partnership with the diaspora can generate development opportunities throughout all Somalia. Saad Osman, CEO, Thames Hr Solutions, identified sectors which should be pursued. During the day, twenty six speakers shared ideas with audiences in parallel commissions, addressing in the morning agriculture and fisheries, health and youth and in the afternoon, women, education and transport and infrastructure. Plenary sessions titled Encouraging business and kick-starting the economy and Creating a safe environment for development attracted great support, throwing up new ideas to take forward. A free business mentoring facility for Somalis was announced and the meeting room for 1-to-1 meetings was kept busy throughout the day.

A comprehensive conference report will be posted soon on the websites of the joint organisers. On 5 January, World G18 Somalia, a conference co-organiser, will host a follow-up meeting with Somali legislators to maintain momentum. “This conference was a successful diaspora production” said Ahmed Hersi, Chairman of World G18 Somalia, “We have shown that when the community works together, we can take great steps forward for the benefit of all.”

Consortium members include World G18 Somalia, Somali Economic Forum, Somali Diaspora UK, Puntland Diaspora Forum, RDI Charity, Galmudug Diaspora with support from the Horn of Africa Business Association, British African Business Association and the United Nations Association Westminster Branch.

Contact:
World G18 Somalia
Mahdi Aadam pardo_org@hotmail.co.uk 0798 395 4034
Ahmed Hersi calmadowdol@yahoo.co.uk 0798 369 3904
Mohamed Haji Elmi mohamedelmi66@yahoo.co.uk 0793 276 5593

Somali Economic Forum
Hassan Osman (Dudde) h.o@somalieconomicforum.org 0771 775 8007

UNA Westminster
David Wardrop davidwardrop@bulldoghome.com 0793 266 4335

World G18 Somalia is delighted to be a founder partner for Somalia: Open for Business, a pioneering business conference seeking to raise international commercial interest in Somalia. Ahmed Hersi, Chairman of World G18 has welcomed the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud which, together with hopes for greater stability in southern Somalia, is an encouraging sign for all. “We know of many Somalis in the diaspora who are now looking for investment opportunities in Somalia and, in many cases, for commercial partners. This conference sets out to bring them together.” For more information, see Somalia: Open for Business on home page.

Members of World G18 Somalia, the leading UK-based diaspora group, continue to visit leaders in the coastal communities and representatives of UNDP to determine the conditions which might lead to coastal village and town leaders ceasing their tacit acceptance of pirate groups working from their localities and their shores. WG18S representatives have shared their alarm how little the international community has managed to provide for these communities despite general international understanding to the contrary. The team will continue their working, liaising closely with the Management Committee of WG18S in London.

Note for editors: Piracy off the Somali coast is conducted from towns where Elders have little authority over those who use their shores and fishing ports for their activities. It is well documented that these communities reap little from hosting these activities. Nor do they benefit from the international community’s aid programmes yet the impact of piracy activities from their towns and beaches has led to costly maritime security operations off the Horn of Africa.

WG18S has long argued that the battle against Somali piracy cannot be won on the seas. It has presented its case at RUSI (26 May 2011) and through its submission to the Foreign Affairs Committee which in 2011 examined piracy off the Somalia coast. Consultations with the Elders of coastal communities supported the view that the solution to the problem lay in stabilising Somali society, blighted by years of civil war and famine. An alternative source of community income and the ending of impunity for piracy crimes should both be pursued, ideally supported by a coalition of the international community, regional partners and the Diaspora with its strong financial and social links.

The WG18S mission is to persuade the Elders in a pilot group of six towns that a development-driven programme bringing clear benefits to the community can be initiated and sustained on the condition that piracy activities are no longer tolerated and operators are banished. WG18S argues that the Elders in other towns which continue to tolerate pirates will be pressured by their communities to opt for the ‘quality of life’ route.

World G18 Somalia, the leading UK-based diaspora group together with the Somali Football Association UK, has offered to present a Good Sportsmanship award to mark the Olympic Truce and to honour those killed by a suicide bomb in Mogadishu on 4 April. Aden Yabarow Wiish, President of the Somali Olympic Committee and Said Mohamed Nur, Chairman of the Somali Football Federation were both killed and Mohamed Elmi, World G18 Somalia Vice-Chairman, lost his brother there also.

The Somali Football Association UK will appoint a panel of judges for the award.

Duran Farah, Acting President of the Somali Olympic Committee, visiting London when leading the Somali athletes at the London 2012 Games welcomed this initiative. “Everybody in Somalia and all in the wider Olympic family will thank our friends and family in the UK for honouring those brave men.” He promised to bring the event to the attention of all athletes and officials in the Olympic Village and to write a message on the Olympic Truce wall marking the initiative.

World G18 Somalia is a UK-based network which seeks to unite all in the Somali diaspora, those who have now become citizens of the UK and other countries and those who support initiatives to bring development and peace to Somalia. It works for friendship and understanding between those identifying with all 18 regions of Somalia.

Somalia, the leading UK-based diaspora group, announced to London’s diplomatic community on 16 August that its Youth Working Group had successfully completed the translation of the successful UN educational comic Score the Goals into the Somali language. The comic will soon be available for download online from its website and negotiations with potential funders to print large quantities of the comic have started.

“We plan a large print run for the Somali version, far more than the English and French versions for which only 5000 were printed” said Mustafa Jama, who announced the successful initiative in front of ambassadors from more than fifty countries as well as other VIPs. He spoke at the prestigious Presentation of Ambassadors’ Letters in Support of the Olympic Truce held in Central Hall Westminster, location of the first meeting of the UN General Assembly in 1946.

The project was welcomed by Mohamed Hassan, Director of Somali Youth Vision, who has been working with young people in Mogadishu and the South Central region of Somalia for the last two years. Mr Hassan used his address to the same audience to stress the importance of telling young people about the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and their own responsibilities in society.

The 32-page educational comic sets out to show how working together brings positive results and to promote the MDGs. The story features 10 football UN Goodwill Ambassadors (Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Baggio, Michael Ballack, Iker Casillas, Didier Drogba, Luis Figo, Raúl, Ronaldo, Patrick Vieira, and Zinédine Zidane). They are shipwrecked on an island on their way to playing an ‘all-star’ charity football game. Whilst on the island, the team has to tackle the eight Millennium Development Goals along their journey towards being rescued. The comic book is aimed at 8-14 year old children and provides a fun interactive way to help them understand, familiarise and reflect about the MDGs as well as inviting them to take action through several activities provided in the adjoining educational guide.

The project Score the Goals was the creation of the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace. It was the winner of the Special Jury Prize in the Peace and Sport Awards 2011 hosted by the Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Zinedane Zidane, famous French footballer, was delighted to distribute the comics in Mali, to excellent publicity. However, total French language production was only 2500.

World G18 Somalia, the leading UK-based diaspora group, and the Somali Economic Forum, have teamed up to organise a major conference titled Somalia: Open for Business to be held in November 2012. Representatives of the two groups met in mid-August, outlining the best course of action for the benefit of Somalia. As stability returns to Somalia, the role of its worldwide Diaspora in encouraging and generating international support for business development in Somalia will become increasingly important. The United Kingdom has one of the largest diaspora and its members maintain unrivalled links with the business community in Somalia and with key centres such as Dubai and Nairobi. The UK Diaspora intends to play a leading role in the reconstruction of Somalia’s commercial landscape. Two leading Diaspora-based organisations, World G18 Somalia and the Somali Economic Forum propose a two-stage strategy to properly prepare potential partners for embarking on the confident regeneration of business in Somalia. A Scoping Meeting in September will prepare for the Somalia-Open for Business event which will set out to attract investors, businessmen from the Diaspora, funders, legislators, banks, financiers, friendly States and others to investment opportunities in Somalia.

World G18 Somalia World G18 Somalia (WG18S) is a UK-based network which seeks to unite all in the Somali diaspora; those who have now become citizens of the UK or other countries; and those who support initiatives to bring development and peace to Somalia. It works for friendship and understanding between the peoples identifying with the 18 regions of Somalia in various diasporas worldwide and in Somalia, promotes and leads discussion of coordinated national programmes for the development of Somalia, encourages and generates governmental and public support for these initiatives, plans funding programmes which support these initiatives on a sustaining basis, fosters understanding among the people of the UK of the work being undertaken by various organisations, volunteer groups and individuals in working for development and peace in Somalia. Its Business Development programme seeks to create an environment encouraging job creation, better access to financial services and both regional and international markets.Somali Economic Forum The Somali Economic Forum (SEF) is an indepen-dent organization committed to improving the state of Somalia by engaging all leaders of society such as business, political and academic leaders to form regional and industry programs. It offers a one-stop shop for foreign and Somali investors, international businesses and entrepreneurs who are willing to set up in Somalia. Its mission is to address the economic, social issues facing Somalia and find solutions. Provision of a mechanism of leadership and encouraging strategic partnerships of best practice to develop the nation economically whilst taking into account environmental concerns. SEF is now the most recognized platform to debate ideas, exchange views, launch initiatives and network with business, government and civil society leaders in the UK and elsewhere. With its second yearly editions held in London and Somalia, SEF has become the most influential, recurring economic and financial congress in the country.

Principal contacts WG18S:
Mahdi Aadam, Secretary
SEF: Hassan M. Osman (Dude), Managing Director

World G18 Somalia indicates its disappointment that the role of the Somali diaspora has been omitted from the final communiqué agreed at the London Conference on Somalia. This omission is surprising as the final communiqué followed the structure of the widely leaked draft document, refining in detail the key decisions taken by delegates. The section in the draft document relating to the Diaspora did not appear in the final communiqué. World G18 Somalia believes this will hinder efforts to improve humanitarian and development cooperation in Somalia which were key outcomes sought in the communiqué.

For the World G18 Somalia statement:
Read here in English .pdf
Read here in Somali .pdf

World G18 Somalia, the leading non-political, UK-based group working for peace and development in Somalia, sets out twelve initiatives that should feature in the Somalia Conference final communiqué. “We welcome this fresh international initiative for progress in Somalia,” says Ahmed Hersi, Chairman of World G18 Somalia, “The UK government’s Diaspora consultation process has been commendable but too dominated by unfocused discussion on political process, overlooking opportunities to explore how it can work with the Diaspora to strengthen development programmes throughout Somalia. We announce today a series of practical measures which we believe would strengthen the conference communiqué.”

World G18 Somalia provides an effective forum for those in the Somali Diaspora who wish to effect change in Somalia on key issues including development, employment, health, education, training and peace. World G18 Somalia takes its title from its links to all eighteen of Somalia’s regions, each represented on the World G18 Somalia committee. The committee also includes advisers on health and education and its Working Groups on Piracy, Youth, Women, Mentoring and the Environment are liaising with others working on these issues towards creating a ‘better quality of life’ for all Somalis.

The twelve points World G18 Somalia wants to see in the conference communiqué

A] The UK government agrees to:
1] Relax its policy barring UK passport holders working in Somalia on UK-funded projects,
2] Set aside (an initially small) proportion of its general funding for its existing contractors to work in association with Diaspora partners,
3] Introduce more transparency to its cross-department handling of Somali-related issues and publish information on key initiatives and decisions,
4] Work with the Diaspora to create culturally appropriate programmes to win over Diaspora youth attracted to joining terrorist groups in Somalia,
5] Champion the creation of a co-ordinated media strategy to promote and disseminate news stories from all Somali regions about positive initiatives taken by the UN and official ODA, the Somali authorities and the Somali Diaspora,
6] Commit to hosting a Conference in early 2013 to review the outcomes following this Conference,

B] Parties to the conference agree to:
7] Undertake an immediate and comprehensive survey of the littoral seabed and coastline for nuclear and other toxic waste,
8] Set up co-ordinated development programmes, especially for youth and for increased participation for women in decision-making roles in all regions,
9] Set up a credible Millennium Development Goals programme and to report on its progress,
10] Reinvigorate the QUESTS-MIDA programme to encourage more Somali help Somali initiatives,
11] Undertake and implement a series of health, education, fisheries and youth training Needs Assessments for all coastal villages linked to piracy, in partnership with chosen elders,

C] Somali authorities, in association with international partners agree to:
12] set up a fishing boat registration programme in association with village elders,

Shirweynaha Soomaliya ee magaalada London: 23-ka Feb, 2012

Go’aanada Iyo Arigtida ee World G18 Soomaliya

Yaa ka soo qayb geli doona?
Afartan dowladood ayaa la rajaynayaa inay ka soo qayb galaan oo ay la socdaan Qaramada Midoobay, Midowga Africa, Midowga Yurub, Bangiga Adduunka, Igad, Ururka Caalamiga ee Islamka, Jaamacadda Carabta, iyo weliba Wakiilada Dawladda Federaalka ee Soomaliya, iyo madaxeynayaasha Soomaliland, Puntland, Galmudug iyo Wakiilada Al-Sunna Waljamaaca.

Maxay ka Hadli doonaan?
Ammaanka (security): Quudinta dhaqaalha AMISOM iyo taageeridda hay’adaha ammaanka iyo caddaaladda Soomaalida. Qaabaynta Siyaaasadda: In xal loo helo qaabka Dowliga ah ee ka dambeyndoona Dawladda hadda jirta ee ku meel gaadhka ah ,oo mudadeedu ku egtahay AUG 2012, iyo weliba dhismaha guddiyo wada jir u maamula dhaqaalaha.

Deganaansho Hoosaad: Xiidhiidhinta sanduuq dhaqaale ee lagu taageerayo gobolada Soomaaliya.

Ka horagga Argagixsada: In wada jir lagaga hortago khatarta ka iman karta argagixisada Soomaaliya.

Budhcad Badeed: In la dabar jaro budhcad badeedka noqotay qaab baayaacmushtari.

Samafal Bini-Aadanimo: In si caalami ah oo wadajir ah loo waajaho xaaladaha bini-aadanimo ee ka taagan Soomaaliya.

Xidhiidhka Caalamiga ah: Heshiis horu kac leh oo caalamku ku yeesho arrimhaha xal u helidda Soomaaliya

Sidee Lagu Ogaan Karaa Heshiisyada Ka Koosoo Baxa Shirka?
Shirka dhamaadkiisa waxa la daabici doonaa qoraalo taxana ah oo laysku gadhsiinayo go’aamada shirka.

Shan iyo toban qodob oo World G18 Soomaaliya rajaynayso in qoraaladu xambaarsanaan doonaan

A]Dawladda Ingiriisku waxay ogolaan doonta

1]Inay dabciso siyaasadeeda ku aadan dadka sita dhalashada Ingiriiska ee ka shaqeeya mashaariicda uu bixiyo Ingiriisku ee ka socda Soomaaliya.

2]In gooni loo dhigo (in aan badnayn) oo ka mid ah dhaqaalaha guud ee dawladda Ingiriisku bixiso si ay ugu wada shaqeeyaan Qurba Joogta Soomalida iyo Hay’adaha qandaraasta shaqooyinka guud ee Soomaaliya.

3]In laamaha kala duwan ee dawladda Ingiriisku ay si aan madmadaw lahayn u daabacdo una soo saarto figradaheeda ku aadan arrimaha Soomaaliya.

4]In la abuuro guddi wada tashi oo ka baaran dega xaaladaha ka soo cusboonaada Soomaalida isla markaana iyadoo la ogeysiinayo Qurba Joogta Soomaalida iyo dadka Ingiriiska ah guud ahaanba.

5]In la soo saaro barnaamij wada jir ah oo ka hoorjeeda xiisaha ay la yimaaddaan qaar ka mid ah dhalinyarada Qurba joogta ah in ay ku biiraan ururad argagixisada ee Soomaaliya.

6]In la abuuro lana horu mariyo siyaasad wada jir ah oo ku saabsan saxaafadda gobolada Soomaalida oo dhan iyo warar wax ku ool ah oo laga helo horumarka ay sameeyaan Hay’adaha Qaramada Midoobay (UN ) iyo Xafiiska Horu Marinta Dibadda (ODA) iyo weliba wararka Qurba Joogta Soomaalida.

7]Inay dawladda Ingiriisku marti geliso shir wayne lagu lafo gurayo sidii wax u qabsoomeen sanadka 2013.

B]Ka qayb galayaasha shirku waxay ogolaan doonaan:

8]In ay sameeyaan baadhis degdeg ah iyo war gelin buuxda oo ay ka diyaariyaan badda hoosteeda iyo xeebahaba iyo wixii ku saabsan qashinka sunta ah ee Nukliyarka.

9]In la sameeyo barnaamij horumarineed oo ku saabsan dhalinyarada.

10]In la dhiso mashaariic waafaqsan ujeedooyinka Qaramada Midoobay ee Horumarinta Qarniga (UN Millennium, Development Goals) horumarkiisana la soo weriyo si joogto ah.

11]In la dhiirigeliyo mashaariicda Soomaalidu iskood wax ugu qabsanayso.

12]In la sameeyo lana hirgeliyo baadhis ku salaysan baahida dadka Soomaalida xagga tacliinta, tababarada dhalinyarada, caafimaadka iyo wixii la mid ah. Wada tashina lala yeesho waayeelka ku nook xeebaha ay ku adeegtaan budhcad badeedku.

C]Masuuliyiinta Soomaalida iyo saaxiibadooda caalamiga ahi waxay ogolaan doonaan:

13]In la diiwaan geliyo doonyaha ka adeega xeebaha oo dhan iyadoo lala kaashanayo waayeelka degan xeebaha.

14]In laga hergeliyo mashaariic horumar leh oo wax ku ool ah gobol kasta oo ka mid ah 18-kii gobol ee Soomaaliya ahaan jirtay kuwaasoo aan qabiil ku salaysnayn.

D]Maamulka maraakiibta Ingiriiskuna waa:

15] Waa in ay wax ka bedelaan siyaasadoodii kusaabsanayd in aanay iskaashi la samayn Qurba-Joogta Somaalida.

A World G18 Somalia delegation visited the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to discuss opportunities for cooperation during the period running up to the scheduled conference on Somalia called by the Prime Minister, David Cameron. The delegation was led by Mr Ahmed Hersi, Chairman and included Mr AbdiGhani Ahmed, Vice Chairman; Mr Mahdi Aadam, Hon. Secretary; Mr Nor Mahad, Chair, Piracy Working Group; Mr Rasheed Meigag, Education Consultant; Mr Mowlid Duale, Secretary, Piracy Working Group; Mrs Amina Osman, Chair, Womens Working Group and Ms Shukri Ahmed, Youth Working Group. They were accompanied by Mr David Wardrop, Chairman, UNA Westminster Branch.

Mr Hersi and his colleagues outlined the organisation of WG18S and the programmes chosen by its five working groups. These included the submission made the Piracy Working Group to the Foreign Affairs Committee examining piracy off the Somali coast; contacts made by the Women’s Working Group with groups in Himilo, Sahid and Salo based in Xaradere, Galkacyo, Hobiyo, Elbur, Hargeysa, Mogadishu and Baydoba which are willing to work with WG18S; and the Youth Working Group seeking to develop youth football (boys) and basketball (girls) in three northern Somali towns and two UK-based projects.

WG18S reiterated its belief that the UK needs to create a credible policy on Somalia, linking domestic and international initiatives. This will cover issues relating to disillusioned young UK Somalis, co-ordination of London borough and other regional research programmes, tracing those who seek to engage in terrorism, creating a better ‘quality of life’ in selected Somali coastal towns and a dedicated media strategy.

The WG18S delegation stated that running up to the conference, they wish to work closely with the government to ensure that the conference agenda leads to optimum outcomes. To ensure they, they proposed that:

World G18 Somalia
1] set up a broad-based consultative assembly with named representatives and contact people who will speak authoritatively for the Diaspora in discussions with the UK government; represent the views of the Diaspora to the authorised central government of Somalia and the credible regional authorities; conduct non-political surveys of the opinions of the Diaspora, using when needed the advices of established professional advisers,
2] Establish contact points with the elders and leaders in selected Somali coastal communities,
3] Name trusted Diaspora personnel to advise, when needed, on DFID and other UK-led initiatives in the fields of development, education, health, governance and similar initiatives.

and the UK government:
1] introduce more transparency to its cross-department handling of Somali-related issues and publish information on key initiatives and decisions,
2] work with the Diaspora in assessing the development needs of coastal villages and communities with the common aim of ridding these of pirates and those who encourage and fund them,
3] set up a joint advisory panel to assess news information from Somalia on all aspects of work being undertaken there to better inform the Diaspora community and the wider UK public,
4] support a comprehensive programme to counter the attraction to some Diaspora youth of joining terrorist groups in Somalia.

Both parties agreed to liaise regularly leading up to the conference in February.

“This Report makes valuable recommendations for the conference on Somalia called by Prime Minister David Cameron for 24 February. We are pleased that our written submission has proved useful to the Foreign Affairs Committee” says Ahmed Hersi, Chairman, World G18 Somalia (WG18S).

The Report covers Somali piracy; the UK and international response; land-based solutions; and FCO support for victims and families. WG18S is primarily interested in the Report’s recommendations for improved UK response to piracy and support for land-based solutions. In this initial commentary on the Report, WG18S endorses the Report’s recommendations that

1] the UK Government should
a) clarify which department has the overall lead on countering piracy. The Report claims ‘the FCO leads on the Government’s overall strategy towards Somalia, and chairs a cross- departmental working group on Somalia and a cross-Whitehall ministerial working group on piracy.’ WG18S has urged for some time for more transparency here and better links to the Diaspora.
b) work closely with Somali communities to ‘strengthen local responsibility and involvement in international efforts to counter piracy off the coast of Somalia.’
c) clarify its policies on pirate capture and prosecution.

2] the authorized naval forces introduce new ways of detecting skiffs and thus improve response times to incidents in the Indian Ocean, by exploring technologies such as micro satellite surveillance and/or lighter than air persistent wide area surveillance. The Somali Joint Statement to which WG18S adheres has advocated better such co-ordination and the application of these technologies for three years.

The Report notes criticism by the WG18S and others of the UK government’s policy on several issues, especially:
1] its failure to ‘engage with Somali society to provide a sense of legitimacy and local ownership of the political settlements and
2] its policy of channeling funds for development projects through international NGOs, seeing this as a “lack of meaningful engagement” with Somalis and the Somali Diaspora.

However, the Report noted that both the FCO and the Department for International Development have stated they are willing to consider applications from UK Diaspora organisations representing any region of Somalia, and that the FCO has already made grants to some Somali Diaspora organisations.

“WG18S will be meeting FCO officers on 11 January when we will discuss all these issues.” said Ahmed Hersi. “We must all work together to ensure the success of the conference on 24 February and this can be helped by the Diaspora playing a major part in setting its agenda and feeling committed to follow through in implementing agreed decisions. To ensure this, we will propose that the UK Diaspora enter into a partnership with the UK government, committing all parties to a spirit of transparency and co-operation. Our own non-political identity and our strong links with all eighteen of Somalia’s regions make WG18S a good partner for all those seeking to bring peace and development to Somalia.”

Contact: Mahdi Aadam, Secretary, WG18S pardo_org@hotmail.co.uk

In a Report presented to World G18 Somalia meeting on 7 August, the Women’s Working Group announced its disappointment that incoming Somalia Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, a Harvard-trained professor of economics, has invited only two women to join his 40-strong cabinet.

“Somali women and children are the primary victims of ongoing conflict and deepening drought and famine in Somalia.” says Amina Osman, Women’s Working Group convener. “But with continued, systemic UN and Western support, the Somali Transitional Federal Government continues to exclude women from all decision-making arenas. Apart from the formality of mentioning women and children as footnotes in UN and government speeches, Somalia is pursuing business as usual.”

The Working Group Report observes that the political sidelining of women in Somalia goes against both national and international conventions. UN Security council Resolution 1325 (2000) calls on all UN agencies and all UN member states to support and promote the full and effective participation of women at all stages of peace processes and for ending gender-based violence against women and girls living in armed conflict zones. Over a decade after adopting resolution 1325, and after 20 years of civil war, Somalia does not accede to the basic tenants of this UN convention. And at a national level, Article 29 of the Somali transitional charter guarantees a 12 percent quota for women in parliament. But of the current 550 transitional federal parliamentarians, only 38 are women. In addition, there is only one female Permanent Secretary among the current 18 Ministries. Even in Somaliland, women’s participation is very limited and their role has been undermined.

“The Somali government should create genuine mechanisms to ensure the full participation of Somali women as citizens, as guaranteed by the Transitional Charter” says Amina Osman. “The UN, regional powers, and Western governments, which all profess concern for Somalia, must get serious about their obligations and begin representing all Somalis, not just their narrow national and institutional interests.”

The World G18 Somalia Working Group argues that whatever the virtues of the prevailing 4.5 clan-based formula for selection of clan representatives and power-sharing (designed to balance power among four principle clans and five minorities), it applies only to Somali men. Whether religious, secular, or educated, the male-dominated Somali political leadership continues to deny women participation in the political process. In practice, the 4.5 clan-based formulas have not created any serious space for Somali women. Both indigenously and internationally, Somali women simply do not matter.

Without the full participation of Somali women, and their contribution and commitment to building sustainable and durable peace platforms, no effective peace will ever be generated or preserved in Somalia. Including women in all stages of the decision-making process will improve security because women suffer more when there is insecurity and therefore are more committed to the establishment and maintenance of security. Women are not warlords or gun traffickers and do not stand to gain power, money, or prestige from continued instability and violence. The inclusion of women will also improve the reconciliation process because women are important actors who have contributed to resolving conflicts in their communities in Somalia.

It is claimed that because of their marital and clan relationships, women can reach out to various stakeholders and often act as go-betweens with the parties in conflict. Women are key economic actors in Somalia and are involved in small business in order to provide for their families, so their participation is vital to the country’s economic development.

Finally, Somali women lead more than 50 percent of the local NGOs delivering humanitarian assistance. So, having women in important political positions will lead to transparency and accountability in the delivery of humanitarian aid to the vulnerable population. Therefore, women must be appointed as advisors, strategists, actors, planners, and managers of humanitarian assistance.

“More than 20 years of the same game has left Somalia in a mess.” says Amina Osman. “The systemic absence of Somali women in the Somali peace and nation-building process has hampered progress within Somalia. Participation in the peace-building process is a right to which Somali women are entitled, not a favour that is bestowed on them.”

The Youth group of World G18 Somalia has created a Facebook group,
World G18 Somalia Youth Network which in its first few days has collected over 160 members. “These are intellectual young people participating in interesting discussions with new friends round the world” says Niman Warsame, Chairman of the Youth group. “With membership increasing hour by hour, we aim to be one of the largest Somali youth networks in the Facebook world.”
Click here to reach the World G18 Somalia Youth network

World G18 Somalia has agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding to assist environmental and irrigation projects in Somaliland and the Calmadow Mountain Range covering a total area of about 70,000 hectares. The project will seek to rehabilitate, restore and regenerate the ecological base; bring skills and knowledge to benefit the Horn of Africa region; secure access to clean water, the supply of food, a stable ecological and environmental infra-structure, improved health and a better quality of life.

Partners in the Somali Agro-ecology & Environmental Restoration Initiative include the Permaculture Research Institute and the OpenSono Global Biodiversity Exchange. Together, these will engage with the Clinton Global Initiative which meets in New York in September. “We have long wanted to tackle issues such as land degradation, desertification, and food security in Somalia and this initiative offers us that opportunity” said Ahmed Hersi, Chairman, WG18S, a qualified taxonomist. “We hope to be able to support projects in all parts of Somalia as our membership has links with all eighteen of Somalia’s regions.”

World G18 Somalia has published seven new reports covering different challenges facing Somalia as it seeks to rebuild. The reports cover Youth, Education, Women, Water, Refugees, the Environment and the work of the Diaspora. Each sets out to analyse problems and challenges and offers recommendations to tackle these. These reports will now be studied by the newly formed working groups set up by WG18S who in coming months will use them to develop and strengthen links with communities throughout all eighteen regions in Somalia. The reports are posted on this website under

The newly formed Youth Group of World G18 Somalia led by its Chairman Niman Warsame, has published its message to the world marking International Youth Day. The message titled “International Youth Day: A day of hope for Somali youth” sets out the group’s programme for the coming year.

We aim to build bridges linking youth in western nations and Somalia,” says Niman Warsame, Secretary (left), “We must recognise the capabilities of the youth in Somalia and their knowledge of culture and Somali language which is of tremendous benefit for the youth brought up in the Western and Arabian countries and the reciprocal contribution of those youth living abroad in skills development and education enhancement for those living in Somalia.” The Youth Group has now made contact with youth groups in Somalia including Hyda, Sonyo umbrella, the Hobbio youth organization and the Kaalmo Youth Development organization. Mustafe Mohamed Jama, head of the groups’ youth development programme outlined plans to seek funds to assist sports and other projects for Somali youth.

The Youth group‘s message has been widely published, in English in The Horn Newspaper, Berbera News and Geeska Afrika and in Somali, in RamadNews and Hadhwanaagmedia.com.

To read the message in English, click here .doc
To read the message in Somali, click here .doc

7 August 2011
World G18 Somalia updates members and Representatives of the
Regions on its progress
Members and supporters of World G18 Somalia (WG18S) met at Bishop Creighton House in Fulham, London on 7 August to review the organisation’s activities. Ahmed Hersi, Chairman, referred to progress made on the action points set out in the London Declaration (see below) which on 29 November 2010 many present had endorsed by acclamation.

Five Working Groups (WG) presented reports. The Piracy WG (Leader: Mouwlid Said Duale) outlined its plan to encourage identified coastal villages to turn away from piracy and referred to its intention to submit evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee which is investigating this issue. The report of the Environment WG (Leader: Dr. M. Yusuf) was given by Ahmed Hersi who described negotiations on irrigation issues held with the Permaculture Research Institute. The report of the Women’s WG (Leaders: Amal Egeh & Amina Yusuf) included an assessment of Somali women’s needs and how the WG could assist. The report of the Business Mentoring WG (Leader: AbdiGhani Ahmed) indicated where they feel their support and, if possible, hands-on guidance could be best deployed. The report of the Youth WG (Leader: Mustafe Jama) stressed the need to set up Youth Training Centres in each of Somalia’s eighteen regions. All reports will be posted on the website.
Mahdi Aadam, Secretary, WG18S introduced documents Education Needs Analysis in Somalia; Women Needs in Somalia after Civil War; The needs for Water; and Youth Needs in Somalia. He invited comments on these documents which will be posted on the website (see Opinion).
David Wardrop of the United Nations Association Westminster Branch spoke about the work of the many UN agencies working in Somalia. These include about 800 education projects and about 900 health projects although not all are operational.
Wide discussion followed these reports and also on wider Somali issues. All members present welcomed the new initiatives of WG18S and at the conclusion of the meeting, they endorsed the New London Declaration (see below). Ahmed Hersi, Chairman of World G18 Somalia, urged all present to tell others about the work of WG18S and to generate more support for it.

The World G18 Somalia
August 2011 Declaration

We, the members of World G18 Somalia, from the Somali community in the UK, linked to the many clans which have inhabited Somalia for centuries and to all of Somalia’s eighteen regions,

have met again in London to re-establish a strong, self confident Somali-led diaspora voice to be heard by and, with even greater determination to work with, the international community and those seeking development and peace in Somalia, both on land and in its territorial waters.

We support the initiatives set out in the London Declaration in November 2010 and re-affirm our determination to continue the programmes we agreed at that time. The London Declaration identified the important battles to be fought and won were not through bloody conflict in the streets but in
* building the foundations of new schools, clinics and hospitals and houses for our displaced peoples,
* clearing our beautiful beaches and coastline of toxic and other dangerous waste,
* rebuilding our coastal communities so they may fish in Somalia’s legal territorial waters confident
that illegal fishing fleets from other nations will be properly punished,
* conserving our forests so they may flourish such that they provide a sustainable income to
traditional users,
* training rural nurses, doctors, teachers and others in the vital skills that all communities need,

And we offered ourselves to become part of the process that will bring about these changes for good in Somalia, sharing our skills and expertise to encourage development in all regions and to sow peace throughout the land,

We are proud that we have set up working groups on
* seeking alternative solutions to combat piracy,
* the encouragement of gender sensitivity,
* mentoring for those in new businesses, utilities and services,
* the protection of the environment,
* youth development, working with young members of the Somali diaspora who we congratulate on their capacity to bring new perspectives to our work,

and we continue to support efforts to move Somalia towards a state in which we may with confidence measure its progress towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals,

We join hands with our brothers and sisters from across the UK, reaching across the boundaries of Somalia’s regions and the divisions of its clans, as one united community working for development and peace in Somalia, confident that we can continue to show solidarity with each other, with our families and friends in Somalia and with our many colleagues throughout the world.
In setting up programmes, we agreed to report to the wider Somali community on our progress and this will be posted on our website and we intend to hold a meeting with the community later this year.

So, together on this day, we are determined that, by agreeing this statement, we commit ourselves to the rebuilding of our damaged and underdeveloped but still much loved country of origin, Somalia.

Agreed by acclamation
Sunday 7 August 2011

 

The Youth Working Group of World G18 Somalia, the London diaspora-based group working for development and peace in Somalia, advocates the setting up of training centres in each of Somalia’s 18 regions to provide skills training and general advice to young people. This initiative is intended to help them understand and overcome local issues and point out the failure of options such as piracy and joining urban gangs. “Somali youth can play a vital role in bringing stability and peace to the country.” said Niman Warsame, speaking for the World G18 Somalia Working Group. For more of this report, see here.

A survey conducted for World G18 Somalia has shown that the issue of health is the leading priority by far for Somalis. The survey was conducted in June by representatives on the World G18 Somalia steering group charged to advocate and promote the interests of each of Somalia’s eighteen regions. Each representative contacted relatives, friends and officials in their designated region, listening first hand to opinion on the ground. While issues such as piracy were understandably important for some northern coastal regions, the critical issue of health was the most commonly mentioned throughout Somalia, from Borema in the north to Kismanyo in the south.

Education was the next priority, followed by access to drinking water and piracy. Protection of the environment, women’s development and agriculture were also cited.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Ahmed Hersi, Chairman of World G18 Somalia stated “this information will assist us develop our proposals to assist small communities in Somalia, especially the six coastal villages we have identified for our counter-piracy pilot programme to be launched soon.” The survey result can be found here.

World G18 Somalia is a UK diaspora-based organisation which includes representatives linked to each of Somalia’s eighteen regions.

World G18 Somalia makes presentation at conference on UN Peacekeeping hosted by the Royal United Services Institute. Mahdi Aadam, Secretary of World G18 Somalia, introduced the opening session of the 8th annual conference to mark the International Day of UN Peacekeepers held. Speaking to the title Understanding and halting Somalia-based piracy; has the International Community still failed to get it?, Mr Aadam outlined proposals to engage targeted coastal communities to assess their social, employment, health and educational needs, seeking to generate sufficient support and corresponding rejection of the apparent attractions of piracy. The capacity audience included representatives of govenment, EUNAVFOR and diplomats. A summary of these proposals will be published in the NEWS section shortly.

World G18 Somalia sets up Working Groups for Gender, Environment, Mentoring and Piracy. The Piracy Working Group agrees the immediate programme for its presentation to the 8th annual conference to mark the International Day of United Nations peacekeepers.

Senior members of the Somali community agree to the creation of World G18 Somalia which will uphold the aims and mission of the G18, with greater authority and determination.

The G18 holds a conference attended by Diaspora members from many communities, observers from the FCO, EUNAVFOR and interested embassies.
is agreed by acclamation.

Said Ahmed, G18 Chairman, has sent a message of good wishes to Mr Mahiga upon his appointment as UN SRSG. In his message, Mr Ahmed informed Mr Mahiga that the outgoing SRSG had met G18 members at a meeting organised by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office in June 2009 and he invited Mr Mahiga to meet the G18 members when he next visits the UK.

Dr Mohamed Aden, Vice-Chair, addressed a meeting held at Friends House, Euston, organised by the Somali Diaspora Liaison Office to mark the 50th anniversary of Somalia’s independence. Speaking for the G18, he wished the Chairman of the Somali Liaison Office all good fortune. “G18 is a united force trying to concentrate on using our skills and knowledge for humanitarian projects and peace in our motherland” he emphasized. “We respect and wish to work with the Liaison Office, each region and semi autonomous region even though the G18 will seek to distance itself from politics” he stated.

A G18 delegation led by Said Ahmed, Chairman, and Dr Mohamed Aden, Vice Chair met Mr Abdulkadir Aden Ali, Chairman of the newly opened Somali Diaspora Liaison Office, part of the Ministry of Diaspora and Investment. G18 identified areas of potential cooperation between the two organisations as they are complementary, both representing the interests of all Somali communities in the UK. It was agreed that a joint communique will be signed highlighting plans for cooperation on humanitarian and development grounds.

Dr Mohamed Aden, Vice-Chair and Ms Amal Ali, Hon. Treasurer, attended the Political, Security and Reconstruction Conference for Somalia (21-23 May) organized by the governments of Somalia and Turkey, held in Istanbul. Their attendance was funded by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). The G18 representatives met Somali entrepreneurs from the financial, livestock and telecommunications sectors and learned much how the G18 and similar organisations can help development in Somalia.

The G18 initiated a short conference at the Harrow Community Centre which aimed to listen to the views of Somali women in the UK and to encourage their support for the G18. Said Ahmed, G18 Chairman, stated that G18 has taken the initiative to raise issues forgotten by both Somalis and the international community. “We are willing to push for making differences for the young, the elderly, the disabled and those disadvantaged people back in our motherland” he stated, urging all women at the conference to support the G18's initiative.

A G18 delegations led by Mr. Said Ahmed, G18 Chairman, met representatives of the UK Foreign & Commonwealth office (FCO) and the Department for international development (DFID) to introduce the G18 Group and to discuss future partnerships in the common search for peace and development in Somalia. Dr. Mohamed Aden 1st Vice-Chairman and Mr. Muse Hersi, 2nd Vice-Chairman/Secretary together with Mr. David Wardrop, who is Chairman of United Nations Association Westminster Branch, accompanied Mr. Said.

The G18 delegation explained the new organization's mission, composition and constitution and outlined where the UK government could assist in introducing it to inter-governmental and INGO networks where it could make a positive contribution.
The FCO, congratulated the G18 in securing support from all eighteen of Somalia's regions. Together with DFID, she offered to assist introductions to the European Commission, the Common Ground initiative and NGOs working in Somalia. It was agreed that future meeting should be scheduled for July.

Signed
Mr. Said Ahmed Chairman
Dr. Mohamed Aden, M.D, Vice-Chairman

Said Ahmed, G18 Chairman and Dr Mohamed Aden, Vice-Chair, visited Profesor Jibril, Puntland Envoy to the UK together with leading members of the Puntland community. The meeting covered many issues and later the G18 was delighted receive a formal Letter of Support from Prof Jibril.

The G18 group urges all Somalis who know the captors of Paul and Rachel Chandler to press for their immediate release into the safe custody of the Puntland authorities. For as long as foreign and locally-based operators continue to manipulate Somalia's coastal communities to protect these pirate groups, major international aid programmes will be held up and vital education and health projects deferred. The Somali Joint Statement, endorsed by Diaspora communities in Europe, North America and Australia, sets out clear proposals how the international community can help eradicate the continuing piracy in Somali territorial waters by foreign fishing fleets. These will bring long term benefits to entire coastal Somali communities and replace the current ransom payments which benefit only a few. We of Somali descent now living outside Somalia can see clearly that the immediate release of Mr and Mrs Chandler can prove to be a turning point for the peaceful development of our country. We urge our brothers and sisters in Somalia to use every possible influence they have to bring this about.

Signed
Hassan Abdi Noor, Chairman
Dr. Mohamed Aden, M.D, Vice-Chairman

Dr Mohammed Aden, G18 Vice Chair, was invited to address a meeting to commemorate the work of members of the Somali Youth League (YSL), Somalia’s first political party and which played a key role in the nation's road to independence during the 1950's and 1960's. In his address, Dr Aden likened the aims of the G18 to the YSL in that it sought to encompass Somalis from all regions. Prince Mohsin Ali Khan, Vice-President and David Wardrop, Chairman of the Westminster Branch of the United Nations Association addressed the meeting also which was televised by Universal TV.

The Joint Statement (Somali) .pdf

The Joint Statement (Arabic) .pdf

G18 members met Professor Abdulkadir Farah Jibril, Puntland’s Representative in the UK. The fruitful meeting established an excellent basis for future cooperation between the G18 Network and the administration of the Puntland state of Somalia.

Since the announcement of the formation of the G18 Network in the House of Lords in August 2009, its founder members have met several times to formalise its structure and to agree the outline of its Constitution.

Recruitment and membership forms have been drafted and 11 regional representatives have been identified from which 9 have been recruited. In turn, these have commenced recruiting Associate Members and preparations are being made for a national and international database of skilled professional members.

"The G18 Network has gained further support from Somali diaspora groups in mainland Europe and North America who have welcomed its approach and confirmed intentions of close future business co-operation."
said Dr. Mohamed Aden, MD, Vice-Chair, G18 Network.

Other decisions agreed include the importance of developing a network of friends, patrons and supporters comprising nationally and internationally known academics, politicians, activists and Foundations. Grass root institutions, community activists and traditional leaders have given the G18 a huge welcome and support. The initial support of the Westminster Branch of the United Nations Association and its Chairman, David Wardrop, has been much appreciated. The G18 Network has developed close links with the Somalia’s TFG and awaits a written letter of support. In addition, contact with high profile Somalian academicians, artists, politicians has been made. Contact with the UK and other European governments, the UN, and international partners will be made. Also, G18 will send a high-level delegation of professionals to Somalia to gather information and compile a report on how the G18 can best assist in the reform and development of Somali society.

An inaugural conference for the G18 Network will take place in Spring 2010 which will agree the Constitution and the organisation’s structure and administration.

At a meeting titled Somalia - can its diaspora in Europe help the UN find a workable plan?, Dr Mohamed Hussein Adan introduced the G18 Group whose members are linked to each of Somalia’s eighteen regions. The foundation of G18 is the belief that the challenges facing reconciliation in Somalia will only be overcome if the principle of Somalia’s geographical integrity takes precedence over rivalries based on clan or religious belief. The group is united in creating one nation, which represents the interests of all Somalis, and the concept of the G18 is a foundation point to work from. We want resources and development schemes to be shared among the Somalis irrespective of their geographical location in Somalia and we will empower them to stake a claim on Somalia’s future.

He told the meeting that he was a trained renal specialist with experience in several European countries and he saw himself as a European. However, he wished to assist his country of origin in his professional capacity and he claimed there were many like him, qualified in different fields. He was supported by Ms Amal Ali, G18 Secretary, who stressed the role that women in the Somali diaspora community can take in overcoming traditional views which can raise obstacles at times. Ms Ali stated that Somali women accepted reality for resolving conflict in Somalia and that in her meetings with male Somalis who are sincere about resolving the conflict in Somalia, she had never felt undermined or felt that her views had been discounted. She reaffirmed her belief that Somali men and women alike realise that finding people who can make a difference in Somalia takes precedence over stereotyped notions of male and female roles. She pointed out that even in developed nations such as the UK, in male dominated fields, there is a tendency to ignore or marginalise women. However, when the issue of rebuilding a nation is discussed, this had not been her experience of people where were sincere about helping resolve the situation in Somalia. “We now have among us women who will not tolerate being silenced when they are taking such a heavy burden for the consequences of the conflict.” Then, Ms Ali detailed plans for the developments of the G18 group over the next few weeks.

The Chairman, Lord Ouseley, invited comments from the audience which showed great support for the principles advance in the Joint Statement* and in Dr Adan’s aspirations to help communities in Somalia. The proposal that the G18 should promote an English language website which sought to bring together the ‘good news’ stories from Somalia was welcomed. All agreed that what positive news there is from Somalia - and there is much - is smothered by reports of continuing violent conflict, mainly in and around Mogadishu. A coordinated initiative to seek out and disseminate Somalia’s many ‘good news’ stories could cover large-scale programmes run by the UN, its agencies, the EU and international NGOs and also local initiatives, triggered by financial or technical support from the large, dispersed Somali diaspora. The G18 is well-placed to take on this role and Dr Adan agreed to discuss the proposals with his colleagues in G18. Dr Abdishakur Tarah reported on his recent visit to Nairobi to participate in an educational initiative for Somalia within the umbrella of the UN Education for All programme. He pointed to the need to strengthen this programme and advocated a Review Meeting, to be held possibly in the UK. This was supported. Many other constructive and supportive comments were forthcoming.

Discussion also covered the need for committed members of the diaspora willing to work with communities in Somalia with which they are linked by family or clan to contact the Overseas Development Aid (ODA) authorities of EU States to strengthen links and to agree protocols to enable this work to be funded and properly monitored.

Ms Ali reported that the G18 Group would meet soon and report back to the community through usual information channels.

Earlier, Mr David Wardrop, Chairman, UNA Westminster Branch, chronicled the various initiatives of the UN and the wider international community relating to Somalia. He argued that there was a lack of cohesion in the UN’s political initiatives and humanitarian policies. Further, with incomplete reports on illegal and unlicensed fishing in Somali waters and the activities of UN-mandated naval armadas flying the flags of those same unlicensed fishing fleets, Somalis and independent observers are confused alike. He reported that the most recent statement from the UN Political Office on Somalia (UNPOS) was posted on 8 May, two months ago. The most recent Press Release was in April!

Turning to web postings on the UN News Centre, he noted recent independent statements from the WFP, UNICEF and UNHCR. This website is the virtual home of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) but the many origins of the various postings on the site suggest that the philosophy of a One UN does not apply to Somalia. Even so, the UN Security Council had discussed Somalia as recently as 9 July. It was ironic, he said, that the delegate of Libya had asked what had happened to the “responsibility to protect”, endorsed by the 2005 World Summit, in respect of the suffering of civilians as a result of 20 years of conflict. “How could the United Nations not allocate the funds necessary to help African States willing to contribute their forces to complete the AMISOM troop requirements while the objecting States had rushed warships to the Somali coast when their interests were threatened?” the delegate had asked. “No State had made any move to protect Somali fish stocks that were being stolen.” It should not be for Libya to show up the UN’s lack of a plan in this way, Mr Wardrop argued.

Finally, Mr Wardrop referred to the UN-mandated naval forces which patrolled the waters off the Somalia coast. The EU force, Operation ATALANTA, has the mandate to provide protection for vessels chartered by the WFP; provide protection for merchant vessels; employ the necessary measures, including the use of force, to deter, prevent and intervene in order to bring to an end acts of piracy and armed robbery which may be committed in the areas where they are present. This force is joined by the American Force 150 and by naval vessels from Japan, South Korea, Iran, China and Russia. Yet, ironically, none of these ships is charged to intercept ‘pirate’ fishing fleets, sometimes flying their own flags, which continue to fish illegally in Somali waters. Meanwhile, the joint committee of the International Maritime organisation (IMO) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) charged to tackle such piracy receives no support from the UN Security Council. It is understandable that many in the Somali community, within Somalia and in the diaspora, feel the UN has no plan.

G18 inaugural meeting .pdf

The newly-formed G18 Group, comprising diaspora members from Somalia's eighteen regions, which seeks to use the Joint Statement as a platform for diaspora cohesion will address a meeting at the House of Lords on 15 July at 6.30pm. This will be Europe's first public meeting on Somalia convened by Somalis who believe they can be part of the solution, working with the UN and for the Somali people. House of Lords, Room 4a starts at 6.30pm

Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), met signatories of the Joint Statement on Monday 8 June at an event hosted by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Signatories from the Somali diaspora in Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Italy and Germany as well as from the UK attended. The SRSG welcomed the Joint Statement which urges close co-operation with the work of the United Nations.

Issues raised with the SRSG included the importance of establishing links with governmental overseas aid programmes in those countries where the Somali diaspora wish to assist in development and capacity building programmes in Somalia. The Somali signatories arged that community empowerment and grassroots development programmes should be encouraged and whatever measurable evidence of results there is should be published. The use of clan elders in peacemaking should be encouraged, as well as the involvement of youth and women in this work.

On the strategic level, the signatories stated that they could not detect a coherent UN Plan. They continue to have difficulty in getting an overview of the UN's activities through its various channels of communications which are mainly Internet-based. These websites include those covering the political work of UNPOS, its humanitarian work and that of countless agencies (through ReliefWeb), the UN-mandated naval forces deployed off the Somali coast and the continuing work of the joint committee of the International Maritime Organisation and the Food & Agricultural Organisation studying illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) activity by foreign fishing fleets in Somali territorial waters. They urged the SRSG to review the UN's communications policy to address this shortcoming.

Lord Malloch-Brown, Minister of State for Africa, Asia and the UN, addressed the meeting also and pledged his support for the work of the SRSG.

At a meeting titled Somalia - can its diaspora in Europe help the UN find a workable plan?, Dr Mohamed Hussein Adan introduced the G18 Group whose members are linked to each of Somalia’s eighteen regions. The foundation of G18 is the belief that the challenges facing reconciliation in Somalia will only be overcome if the principle of Somalia’s geographical integrity takes precedence over rivalries based on clan or religious belief. The group is united in creating one nation, which represents the interests of all Somalis, and the concept of the G18 is a foundation point to work from. We want resources and development schemes to be shared among the Somalis irrespective of their geographical location in Somalia and we will empower them to stake a claim on Somalia’s future.

He told the meeting that he was a trained renal specialist with experience in several European countries and he saw himself as a European. However, he wished to assist his country of origin in his professional capacity and he claimed there were many like him, qualified in different fields. He was supported by Ms Amal Ali, G18 Secretary, who stressed the role that women in the Somali diaspora community can take in overcoming traditional views which can raise obstacles at times. Ms Ali stated that Somali women accepted reality for resolving conflict in Somalia and that in her meetings with male Somalis who are sincere about resolving the conflict in Somalia, she had never felt undermined or felt that her views had been discounted. She reaffirmed her belief that Somali men and women alike realise that finding people who can make a difference in Somalia takes precedence over stereotyped notions of male and female roles. She pointed out that even in developed nations such as the UK, in male dominated fields, there is a tendency to ignore or marginalise women. However, when the issue of rebuilding a nation is discussed, this had not been her experience of people where were sincere about helping resolve the situation in Somalia. “We now have among us women who will not tolerate being silenced when they are taking such a heavy burden for the consequences of the conflict.” Then, Ms Ali detailed plans for the developments of the G18 group over the next few weeks.

The Chairman, Lord Ouseley, invited comments from the audience which showed great support for the principles advance in the Joint Statement* and in Dr Adan’s aspirations to help communities in Somalia. The proposal that the G18 should promote an English language website which sought to bring together the ‘good news’ stories from Somalia was welcomed. All agreed that what positive news there is from Somalia - and there is much - is smothered by reports of continuing violent conflict, mainly in and around Mogadishu. A coordinated initiative to seek out and disseminate Somalia’s many ‘good news’ stories could cover large-scale programmes run by the UN, its agencies, the EU and international NGOs and also local initiatives, triggered by financial or technical support from the large, dispersed Somali diaspora. The G18 is well-placed to take on this role and Dr Adan agreed to discuss the proposals with his colleagues in G18. Dr Abdishakur Tarah reported on his recent visit to Nairobi to participate in an educational initiative for Somalia within the umbrella of the UN Education for All programme. He pointed to the need to strengthen this programme and advocated a Review Meeting, to be held possibly in the UK. This was supported. Many other constructive and supportive comments were forthcoming.

Discussion also covered the need for committed members of the diaspora willing to work with communities in Somalia with which they are linked by family or clan to contact the Overseas Development Aid (ODA) authorities of EU States to strengthen links and to agree protocols to enable this work to be funded and properly monitored.

Ms Ali reported that the G18 Group would meet soon and report back to the community through usual information channels.

Earlier, Mr David Wardrop, Chairman, UNA Westminster Branch, chronicled the various initiatives of the UN and the wider international community relating to Somalia. He argued that there was a lack of cohesion in the UN’s political initiatives and humanitarian policies. Further, with incomplete reports on illegal and unlicensed fishing in Somali waters and the activities of UN-mandated naval armadas flying the flags of those same unlicensed fishing fleets, Somalis and independent observers are confused alike. He reported that the most recent statement from the UN Political Office on Somalia (UNPOS) was posted on 8 May, two months ago. The most recent Press Release was in April!

Turning to web postings on the UN News Centre, he noted recent independent statements from the WFP, UNICEF and UNHCR. This website is the virtual home of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) but the many origins of the various postings on the site suggest that the philosophy of a One UN does not apply to Somalia. Even so, the UN Security Council had discussed Somalia as recently as 9 July. It was ironic, he said, that the delegate of Libya had asked what had happened to the “responsibility to protect”, endorsed by the 2005 World Summit, in respect of the suffering of civilians as a result of 20 years of conflict. “How could the United Nations not allocate the funds necessary to help African States willing to contribute their forces to complete the AMISOM troop requirements while the objecting States had rushed warships to the Somali coast when their interests were threatened?” the delegate had asked. “No State had made any move to protect Somali fish stocks that were being stolen.” It should not be for Libya to show up the UN’s lack of a plan in this way, Mr Wardrop argued.

Finally, Mr Wardrop referred to the UN-mandated naval forces which patrolled the waters off the Somalia coast. The EU force, Operation ATALANTA, has the mandate to provide protection for vessels chartered by the WFP; provide protection for merchant vessels; employ the necessary measures, including the use of force, to deter, prevent and intervene in order to bring to an end acts of piracy and armed robbery which may be committed in the areas where they are present. This force is joined by the American Force 150 and by naval vessels from Japan, South Korea, Iran, China and Russia. Yet, ironically, none of these ships is charged to intercept ‘pirate’ fishing fleets, sometimes flying their own flags, which continue to fish illegally in Somali waters. Meanwhile, the joint committee of the International Maritime organisation (IMO) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) charged to tackle such piracy receives no support from the UN Security Council. It is understandable that many in the Somali community, within Somalia and in the diaspora, feel the UN has no plan.