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Africa Programme Meeting Summary: British Government Consultation with the UK-based Somali Diaspora (8 February 2012)

Core Content

This document summarizes a consultation held by Chatham House in February 2012, where members of the UK-based Somali diaspora engaged with British government officials. The meeting aimed to gather insights on key issues related to Somalia's political transition, security, and the role of regions in the country's development. The discussions reflected three main agenda items of the London Conference on Somalia: political transition, security, and regional participation.

Main Agenda Items

1. Political Transition

• International Support for Somali-led Transition:

  • The London Conference was viewed with both high expectations and skepticism.
  • A 'Friends of Somalia' group was proposed to support Somali-led peace efforts.
  • A 'know-how fund' was suggested to help build long-term institutional capacity in Somalia.
  • There was a consensus that institutional capacity building is essential to prevent conflict in Parliament from becoming personal.

• Garowe Process and Representation:

  • The Garowe process was praised as the first Somali-led initiative for political transition.
  • Concerns were raised about the representativeness of the Constituent Assembly if members were only selected by the Roadmap signatories.
  • Some participants believed the Garowe Principles were clan-biased due to the 4.5 power-sharing model.
  • There was a call for broader consultation, including the involvement of elders from each sub-clan to select Assembly members, without allowing self-selection.
  • The Garowe II meeting was seen as an opportunity for more inclusive dialogue.

• Legitimate Executive Authority:

  • Many participants agreed that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) should not be extended and that the transition should conclude by August 2012.
  • The TFG's mandate was seen as a starting point, but the current situation was described as 'a map without a road'.
  • It was emphasized that only democratic elections could mark the end of the transition process.

• Representation of Al Shabaab-controlled Areas:

  • There was a strong emphasis on ensuring the safety of populations in Al Shabaab-controlled regions.
  • Participants warned against direct engagement with Al Shabaab and suggested involving traditional elders from southern Somalia to represent their views.
  • Regional representation, including civil society and Islamist movements, was advocated over purely clan-based approaches.

2. Security

• AMISOM Mandate:

  • AMISOM's role in security was both praised and criticized.
  • Some saw its presence as a continuation of Ethiopian occupation, while others acknowledged its contributions to security improvements.
  • A central authority to oversee foreign troops and ensure regular salary payments was suggested.
  • The mandate of AMISOM should be reconsidered to include more troop capacity and to address the 'Christian' perception of its troops.

• Indigenous Security Force:

  • Participants stressed the need to build a capable and disciplined Somali security force.
  • Current challenges include lack of training, barracks, and fair pay compared to AMISOM.
  • Coordination between the Somali military and police was highlighted as essential.

• Foreign Incursions:

  • There was concern over the international community's tacit acceptance of Kenyan and Ethiopian military operations.
  • A withdrawal timetable for both AMISOM and foreign forces was suggested to reduce tensions and enhance trust.

• Al Shabaab:

  • Al Shabaab was seen as a threat, but some participants noted that its fighters were motivated by greed rather than ideology.
  • There was a call to address the group's poor response to the 2011 famine and to eliminate it from certain areas before integrating southern regions into the national political process.

• Justice Sector:

  • The transition to new governance should include accountability mechanisms for those involved in violence, piracy, and war crimes.
  • Calls were made for the involvement of the International Criminal Court or a commission of enquiry to investigate and prosecute past crimes.

• Piracy:

  • Piracy was not considered a major issue for ordinary Somalis.
  • A land-based solution through better state institutions and development in fishing communities was proposed.

3. The Role of the Regions

• Somaliland and Puntland as Models:

  • These regions were seen as examples of community-driven governance and stability.
  • However, challenges in south-central Somalia, such as those faced by agro-pastoralists, were considered more complex.

• Regional Entities and Fragmentation:

  • There were concerns that supporting regional entities could lead to further fragmentation.
  • Federalism should be region-based, not clan-based, to avoid potential violence.

• Diaspora Engagement:

  • The Somali diaspora was recognized as a politically engaged and financially significant group, with remittances exceeding $1bn annually.
  • However, the international community should adopt a nuanced approach, acknowledging that not all diaspora members have abandoned clan-based interests.
  • The diaspora was encouraged to form an umbrella organization to support human rights, rule of law, and institution-building in Somalia.

Key Takeaways

• The Somali diaspora emphasized the need for a Somali-led political transition with broad representation and legitimacy.
• A capable and independent security force is critical to counter Al Shabaab and ensure stability.
• Regional inclusion and bottom-up governance were seen as essential for long-term peace.
• The international community must balance support for security with efforts to build local institutions and avoid perceived interference.
• The diaspora's role should be leveraged to support Somalia's development, particularly in areas like rule of law and human rights.

Conclusion

Participants in the consultation welcomed the UK's initiative in organizing the London Conference and expressed a clear desire for a political process that is inclusive, representative, and led by Somalis themselves. The focus was on ending the TFG's mandate, strengthening indigenous security, and ensuring that regional voices are integrated into the national framework without exacerbating existing divisions.