The closing speech of Somali president at conclusion of High Level Partnership Forum

Presidents of Regional Administrations,
Mr Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the Secretary General for Somalia,
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

It has been an honour and a privilege to spend this time together today here in Mogadishu, I am grateful to all who have participated and shared both the signs of progress and areas of concern. I think we are agreed that – in the spirit of our gathering today- we cannot afford to drop the ball in terms of the security and political agenda.

This will require a strengthened commitment to the way in which we engage with each other. Less finger pointing and more constructive conversation, backed up by action – and at times a little risk-taking, on both sides is going to be necessary.

We have much ahead of us.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Political progress must continue, and pick up pace. In the remaining six months of this year, the outstanding Interim Regions need to be formed, and the national Commissions must commit to significant work programs, even in less than ideal conditions.

Importantly, we have no time to waste in terms of starting the process of national consultations to reach a workable agreement on what the electoral process will look like for 2016. We commit to affirming the best consultative process within next weeks and months to come.

We count on the support and full engagement of the Federal Parliament and existing and emerging regional administration in this process. The nation must speak loudly and the leadership commits to listen carefully.

There is still significant work remaining to complete key tasks and cement emerging activities in relation to security progress. Today, the Federal Government presented an implementation plan for the Guulwade plan and an initial draft of the Heegan plan. In order to realize these, we must consolidate our national security architecture and ensure a cohesive approach amongst our security institutions. Swift and adequate resource provision to support activities under both of these plans will be critical.

Consolidating gains made in late 2014 and freeing the remainder of Somalia from terrorist and militant groups is critical. We must pick up the pace and coordination of ensuing stabilization activities. We recognize the importance of connecting citizens to the government and enabling local governance initiatives and public service delivery across Somalia.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We must identify concrete means to deal with the Yemen refugee crisis, and secure adequate funding to provide housing, food and other support items to these vulnerable people.

Humanitarian initiatives must lead to sustained development activities that join up across Somalia so that development is equitable and far-reaching.
Work that commenced through the Ministries this year to establish the foundations for service delivery – particularly in relation to our social sector – must continue apace. Visibility of the government in delivering public services must be assured and the long-term capacity of Somali institutions built to deliver these services.

Last Monday, the Executive Board of the IMF concluded the Article IV consultation with Somalia, the first in 26 years. This is an important achievement as we progress on the path to debt relief. Without debt relief, Somalia will not be able to access concessional financing to invest in infrastructure and social services.

In the coming period it will be vital to ensure that Somalia’s economic recovery is supported. This will see a combined effort to improve Somalia’s infrastructure. Infrastructure plans must be finished, consolidated and then resourced. The private sector must be enabled so that it can take its rightful place in securing the economic fortunes of Somalia.

A common understanding on how to translate the Somali Compact partnership principles into concrete action still needs to be consolidated. While international partners have provided a start to ensuring visibility on their levels of aid and their forward spending projections to the Federal Government, we communicate our strong concerns regarding the way aid is planned and delivered. Dialogue must continue in order to foster aid delivery with and through Somali institutions. Agreeing on the process to enhance leadership and ownership of Somali institutions in the delivery of assistance and to strengthen mutual accountability needs to be prioritized.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Accountability and transparency have been high on our policy agenda and this year we will be working to launch the Open Government Initiative, which will position Somalia as a leading country in Africa for transparency in the future. The initiative aims at achieving unprecedented levels of transparency across the government, generating the conditions for deep accountability and enhanced citizen engagement in all state affairs .

Before I close, I must acknowledge the work and contribution of AMISOM and our African family, who have worked with our national army to secure the peace of Somalia. We are forever indebted to their sacrifice.

And let me pay tribute to all friends of Somalia who have gathered here today. We are very much grateful not just for your financial support, your technical expertise, and your political support. We are also grateful for your concern for our future.

On behalf of Somalia, I reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation and a peaceful transfer of power in 2016. We will secure gains made in the past two and a half years through dialogue, inclusive politics, through creating a shared vision of what Somalia can be in the future.

In this spirit, I charge us all today to pursue- with unity, clarity of purpose and without compromise – a sovereign, secure, democratic, united and federal Somalia at peace with itself and with the rest of the world, and for the benefit of its people.

I wish you all a safe journey and the second HLPF is officially closed