Highlights
from Somalia
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The Election of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh AhmedThe United States Government congratulates Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on
his election as president of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government.
President Sharif has been a strong proponent of the Djibouti Process and
has worked diligently on reconciliation efforts in Somalia. We urge
President Sharif to reach out to the broad spectrum of Somalis who
reject violence and extremism in forming a new government. (more)
U.S. Support for Somali Peace ProcessThe United States welcomes the December 23 joint statement of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) expressing their commitment to the June 9 Djibouti Agreement and calling for urgent deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Somalia. The United States further welcomes the strong position taken by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in its December 21 communiqué, particularly IGAD's support for the formation of a new cabinet under Prime Minister Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein and the establishment of a government of national unity. (more)
U.S. Condemns Dispute Among TFG LeadershipU.S. Embassy, Nairobi, Kenya
Press Release
December 15, 2008 Efforts by President Yusuf to remove Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein undermine the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and efforts to promote peace and stability. Divisions within the TFG, as manifested by efforts to remove the Prime Minister, threaten to undermine Djibouti peace process. We have confidence in the Prime Minister and urge the TFG leadership to work cooperatively together for the good of all the people of Somalia. It is important that the Parliament also support efforts to achieve unity and peace. We strongly support the Djibouti peace process and welcome efforts by the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia to cooperate with representatives of the TFG to advance the work of the High-Level and Joint Security Committees in Mogadishu. We urge the TFG leadership to approach its work in the same businesslike manner.
ARS Chairman Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's Return to MogadishuNairobi, 11 December 2008- The U.S. government welcomes the December 10 return to Mogadishu of Chairman of the Alliance for the Re-liberation (ARS) of Somalia Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's presence in Mogadishu, after an absence of almost two years, is a practical step in the creation of a meaningful unity government.
We urge all Somalis to support the ARS's efforts to effect, in active cooperation with the Transitional Federal Government, reconciliation through the Djibouti Process. We urge as well those groups and individuals who have opposed the peace process to join efforts to create a unity government and end the suffering in Somalia.
Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human RightsOn December 10, nations around the world marked the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Tragically, the principles enshrined in that document, among them respect for the sanctity of human life, are rarely observed in Somalia, where indiscriminate killing is all too often the norm.
The U.S. government would like to remember on this day the courageous international and Somali aid workers and journalists who are, sadly, increasingly the targets of violence.
We also remember the many Somalis who have been forced by the continuing chaos in Somalia to abandon their homes.
The U.S. government continues to believe that the Djibouti Process offers the best prospect for restoring stability and, with it, a respect for human rights to Somalia. We urge Somalis everywhere to support efforts by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) to advance the process of national reconciliation by establishing a unity government.
We welcome the intention of the TFG and ARS to join with civil society representatives in establishing a Joint Working Group on Justice, which we hope will begin to address the lawlessness and impunity that have plagued Somalis since 1991.
Alliance of Youth Movements to Hold Anti-Violence Summit OnlineNairobi, 2 December 2008 — Facebook, Google, YouTube, MTV, Howcast, Columbia Law School, the U.S. Department of State and Access 360 Media are bringing leaders of 17 pioneering organizations from 15 countries together with technology experts this week in New York for the first-ever conclave to empower youth against violence and oppression through the use of the latest online tools to promote freedom and justice and to counter extremism. (more)
Unity Government in SomaliaThe United States government welcomes the November 26 agreement of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) to further their cooperation in the establishment of a unity government. This development, which closely follows the productive meeting of the Joint Security Committee meeting in Kenya, represents another positive step in the Djibouti Process. (more)
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Somalia Unit Hosts Event on Gender-Based Violence In recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Somalia Unit hosted nearly fifty Somali women and men today for a digital video conference (DVC) with noted American clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst Dr. Beatrice Patsalides. Dr. Patsalides, who is based in Paris, France, began the DVC with a discussion of the consequences of sexual violence against women but which also affects men and children. (more)
Spoilers Sparking Violence in Mogadishu Following Ceasefire AgreementThe United States Government notes with concern the violence which has recently taken place in Mogadishu even after the October 26 ceasefire agreement signed by both the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS). (more)
Somali Unit at U.S Embassy Nairobi supports production of 5000 CDs on peace The Somalia Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi recently supported the production of Waayaha Cusub's new album Dhalinyaro ("Youth"). The album's 17 songs celebrate the role of youth in Somalia's continuing efforts to move toward peace and stability (more)
2nd Youth Enrichment Program, August 25-28The Somalia Affairs section of the U.S Embassy in Nairobi, conducted a second Youth Enrichment Program, YEP, in the border town of Mandera from August 25-28. 45 Somali youth came across the border to join 18 Kenyan youth for a week of sports, cultural activities, and discussions. (more)
Graduation Ceremony for Somalia Unit-funded English Language ClassesMark Zimmer, PAO for Somalia, presented certificates on November 4th to fifty young Somalis who recently completed an embassy-sponsored English language course in Eastleigh, Nairobi. The students were divided into two classes - one for intermediate-level students and one dedicated to young women. The course, which spanned about six months, took place at Kalsan Employment and Consultancy Center, a strong partner of the Somalia Unit.
U.S. Ambassador Ranneberger Visits Dadaab Refugee Camp, November 19United States Ambassador to Kenya Michael E. Ranneberger will visit Dadaab Refugee Camp to express appreciation for Kenya's continued role in providing support to asylum seekers fleeing Somalia, and to review the current conditions in the camp. Ambassador Ranneberger is concerned by reports that overcrowded conditions, increasing numbers of
refugees, and inadequate land resources could lead to a humanitarian crisis in the camp (more)
Somali Youth Launch Peace AlbumA group of Somali youth receiving copies of the CD on peace (more)
Somali Women of Courage: Celebrating Women's Vision The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi sponsored a reception with the theme Somali Women of Courage: Celebrating Women’s Vision,” at the residence of U.S. Ambassador to Kenya on March 27. Over 100 guests attended the celebration, which was the first of its kind organized by the U.S. Embassy. (more)
Somalia - Condemnation of Terrorist Attacks, October 29The United States condemns the terrorist attacks in Somaliland and Puntland. We offer our sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims. These senseless attacks highlight the determination of violent extremists to undermine peace and stability throughout Somalia and the Horn of Africa. (more)
Designation of Al-Shabaab
On
February 29, 2008, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice designated
al-Shabaab (aka al-Shabab, aka Shabaab, aka the Youth, aka Mujahidin
al-Shabaab Movement, aka Mujahideen Youth Movement, aka Mujahidin Youth
Movement, aka MYM, aka Harakat Shabab al-Mujahidin, aka Hizbul Shabaab,
aka Hisb’ul Shabaab, aka al-Shabaab al-Islamiya, aka Youth Wing, aka al
Shabaab al-Islaam, aka al-Shabaab al-Jihaad, aka the Unity of Islamic
Youth) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended) and as a Specially
Designated Global Terrorist under Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224
(as amended). (more)
United States Honors Somali Woman as a Champion of Human Rights Washington -- Ambassadors and other diplomats, members of Congress and leaders of nonprofit organizations gathered at the U.S. Department of State March 10 to honor eight women who have risked harassment and death to fight for women’s rights. (more)
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| - Assistance to Somalia
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