Monday, May 06, 2013

Somalia Foreign Affairs Minister Aadan: Somalia Is Open for Business

Somali Foreign Affairs Minister Aadan: Somalia is open for business

Interview conducted by Abdi Moalim in Mogadishu

May 06, 2013

Somalia's first woman Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Aadan spoke to Sabahi about the progress her ministry has achieved since she took office last November.

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She expressed the need for Somalia to rebuild and strengthen diplomatic relations with its neighbours and spoke about her expectations for the three-day London conference on Somalia, scheduled to begin Tuesday (May 7th).

Aadan hailed contributions the international community is making to stabilise the country, but said Somalia must be at the helm of that effort for it to be sustainable.

She also welcomed a statement from the Intergovernmental Agency on Development (IGAD) on May 3rd recognising the need to support the Somali federal government's leadership in the stabilisation process, calling it a diplomatic victory for her ministry.

Aadan said the message her government wants to share with the world is simple: Somalia is an independent country and it has re-opened for business.

Sabahi: What is the significance of the IGAD statement for the future of Somalia?

Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Aadan: This is a very important decision for us because it allows the country to freely manage its own stability. Until now, foreign countries were managing our country's stabilisation plan with us, but moving forward we [can govern as] an independent nation.

Sabahi: What is the role of Kenyan troops in Kismayo? Is there an agreement between Somalia and Kenya regarding the efforts to establish a regional administration there?

Aadan: Kismayo is part of Somalia. Kenya has troops positioned there [as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia], but Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has shown us that he is supportive of the Somali government assuming its role in leading the nation. The two presidents have met four times and are in complete agreement over those matters.

Sabahi: Historically there have been misunderstandings between Somalia and its neighbours, what is your ministry doing to change that?

Aadan: We have really improved our relationship with Kenya and Ethiopia. We have agreed on the importance of neighbouring countries co-existing in peace and co-operation. African nations truly deserve our praise because they are helping us restore security in Somalia.

Sabahi: What will be the focus at the London Conference on Somalia, scheduled to begin May 7th?

Aadan: This conference is intended to focus the world's attention on Somalia. We will discuss [Somalia's] justice system, peace, the national army and ways to manage the country's revenue.

It will also be attended by both Somali and foreign business people; we will show them [opportunities] for investment in the country.

Sabahi: What is your message to the world?

Aadan: Our message is to tell the world to invest in Somalia because this country would be among the wealthiest in the world if its resources were harnessed.

We have the longest coastline in Africa, livestock and also the country's oil and mineral potential can be tapped. Therefore our message is: Come and invest in this country.

Sabahi: What else can you tell us about the progress the ministry has made while you were in office?

Aadan: About 20 ambassadors have been nominated to Somalia in the past five months, most recently the British Ambassador to Somalia, with the foreign minister raising the British flag here [in Mogadishu].

[The Somali government] has received recognition from the United States, and the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, regaining our membership in those bodies. We have had the arms embargo lifted and are rebuilding the foreign ministry's [institutions].

Sabahi: Some people are suspicious of Turkey's presence in Somalia. What is their role in Somalia?

Aadan: Turkey does not want anything special from Somalia. When the famine broke out last year, Turkey stood with Somalia. The Turkish prime minister visited Somalia with his family and the Turkish public donated hundreds of millions of dollars to us.

They are building the biggest hospital in Africa, they have established schools that teach farming and fishing, and are building many factories. Therefore, they do not have bad intentions towards us.

Sabahi: Somalia and Kenya have named women to their foreign ministries for the first time, what do you feel is the role of women in foreign policy leadership in East Africa?

Aadan: I congratulated both [President Uhuru] Kenyatta and [Kenyan Secretary of Foreign Affairs nominee] Amina Mohamed very much. It is a trend that should be emulated [throughout the region].

In the six months I have held office, I have demonstrated that a woman can get things done and have made a big change in the face of Somali foreign policy. A bird cannot fly with only one wing, so [in a successful society] men and women must work together and women's skills should be taken advantage of.

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