NAIROBI (RBC) Gearing up to the May 7th Somalia Conference in London, NGOs in Somalia call on delegates and participants at the Conference to place the voices of communities within Somalia at the centre of discussions and that actions agreed in London should be measurable and accountable.
Through a position paper signed off by thirty local and international organizations operating in Somalia, NGOs are calling on the Somalia Federal Government (SFG) and the international community to further focus on addressing prevalent needs, enhance their engagement in building resilience and place adequate consideration on the return of IDPs and refugees in Somalia.
Through a background analysis on the progress made on commitments at the 1st London Conference on Somalia in February 2012, it is clear that; Key Constitutional requirements aimed at implementing federalism and creating mechanisms for national healing and reconciliation in Somalia have yet to be met or implemented; To date, there has not been enough participation and civil society engagement in Somalia’s political and decision making processes; Progress in realising human rights and judicial reform has been impeded by weak institutions and limited avenues for redress and accountability for human rights abuses; Somalia’s security forces continue to have significant weaknesses in command and control within their composition resulting in serious protection concerns for Somalis and that Questions on accountability across all areas still remain unanswered and unaddressed.
As the Federal Government and the international community makes further commitments on security, justice and financial management for Somalia at London in 2013, a reflection on the progress made within the last year is necessary. Only then can future plans be sustainable and commitments be held accountable.
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