By John Stephen Katende

20^th Feb 2012:

Acting Foreign Minister Okello Oryem

Uganda’s acting Foreign Affairs Minister Henry Okello Oryem has strongly urged political leaders in Somalia to cease all political in-fighting and unite ahead of the ‘Somali Conference’ due to take place in London this week to discuss a raft of ideas designed to restore political stability to the war-torn country.

“…It is an opportunity for Somalis to create a legitimate, transparent, all-inclusive democratic political system that is Somali-led, for the purpose of dealing with a post-transition period leading to a legitimate constitution, then democratic elections,” Oryem is reported to have said.

Minister Oryem delivered Uganda’s message to the Somali leadership during an official visit to the Somali capital Mogadishu ahead of the London conference.  Oryem further said that it was “unfortunate” that such divisions exist among Somali’s leaders.  “…I met the Speaker and members of parliament.  We impressed upon them that they should stop being selfish and egoistic in dealing with national issues.” Oryem said.

Uganda’s concerns notwithstanding, Oryem said, Uganda remains committed to Somalia in the spirit of Pan-Africanism.  “…Pan-Africanism is instilled in the leadership of Uganda.  That is why we are here.  We cannot accept to see an African country become a failed state, people dying, and the country go to waste while we have the capacity to assist. So we are here for as long as it takes and as long as the Somali people want us.” Uganda’s acting Foreign Minister said.

President Yoweri Museveni and forty other leaders will join politicians from Somalia at a conference in London this Thursday to support Somalia in its efforts to achieve social and political security.  At present, Uganda provides the largest contingent of peacekeepers in Mogadishu who are there under the auspices of African Union and with UN support.

Somalia’s Transition Federal Government [TFG] has been bedevilled by internal in-fighting since its inception.  Its mandate to govern is also limited and it expires in August this year.  This, among other things, has made the TFG incapable of governing the entire country, large part of which are under the control of the Islamic militants Al-Shabab.

New deal struck:  The beginning of a new era?

Barely a week after Uganda’s warning to the political leadership in Somali, news broke yesterday that Somali leaders had finally signed a landmark deal that will pave way for a new parliament and federal system of governance.  Under the new deal signed in Garowe – the capital of the semi-autonomous Puntland, Somali leaders agreed that the new federal structure will be based on the 18 regions Somalia had before the collapse of the central government led by the late Gen Mohamed Siad Barre in early 1991.

On the other hand, the new parliament would be constituted by 250 members, with at least 50 of these being women.  The negotiating team, comprising of members of the Somali presidency, cabinet, MPs, and tribal leaders also agreed to create a 54 member upper chamber like the British House of Lords.  The deal also includes an agreement to set up a Constituent Assembly of 1000 members that will draft the country’s new constitution to pave way for, among other things, a democratic election.

Somali’s Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and the Speaker of the current parliament Sharif Hassan Aden signed the deal that was witnessed by Ambassador Augustine Mahiga – the UN Secretary Seneral’s Special Representative to Somalia.

Somalia’s President sounded optimistic about his country’s future after the signing ceremony.  “…This accord is going to please all Somalis, in and out of the country,” said President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed.  END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.