On Islamists control of Somalia
Somalia-USA, Politics, 7/1/2006

Adam Ereli, US Department Of State Deputy Spokesman was asked that "Africa Secretary Frazer just came out with a statement concerning Somalia, but apparently the Islamists today say they now have full authority in the country. And you probably heard our questions a week ago with the -- perhaps a border clash with the Ethiopians. But what has to be done in order to make certain that the government does come to a democracy or some sort of even keel and maybe not put Sharia law in and other -- slide backwards?"

Ereli said "you've seen the number of developments over the last couple of weeks, I think that all of which answer your question. You've seen the statement out of the Somalia Contact Group, which said that the Transitional Federal Charter and the institutions are the legitimate framework for the continued process of reestablishing governance in Somalia. You saw the statement coming out of the consultations in Khartoum between the factions of Somalia, talking about commitment to strengthening the institutions of the Transitional Federal Charter and committing to dialogue."

Ereli added "So that's the process that we see as the way forward for dealing with the issues of Somalia. I've seen the statements. We've seen, obviously, the statements coming out of the Islamic Courts today. Our response would be the political future of Somalia is and must be the product of dialogue between the parties of Somalia in the context of the Transitional Federal Charter and through the institutions of that charter."

Ereli was asked "Assistant Secretary Frazer said that the US would try and boost the credibility of the transitional government in Baidoa by helping it out, et cetera. How, on a practical level, do you intend to help this government and to make it stronger so that it's not sort of cowering in Baidoa?"

Ereli said "I think you've seen the -- you have an indication of how we're going to do that and the way we're going to work this issue through the statement of the Somalia Contact Group and in support of the dialogue between the parties and its support of the Transitional Federal Charter and its support of those institutions. Now, you obviously -- you've got a fluid situation in Somalia. You've got different groups in control of different territories with a variety of ambitions and agendas. The way to deal with this is for the United States and for the Somalia Contact Group is to work through the institutions of the Transitional Federal Charter to have a process of peaceful dialogue so that political and economic stability can be restored and obviously so that the humanitarian needs of the Somali people can be addressed in an environment of stability. Again it's fluid. It's dynamic. The situation is changing all the time. But the key element here is a process of dialogue that is sustained and that's what we're working toward."

Ereli was asked if the US has any plans to provide funding for a Somali police force and to try and improve these institutions. Ereli said "I don't know really how far along we are in our sort of thinking on that. I think it is important to note that we have for some time been working with different Somali groups and factions in a concerted effort to prevent Somalia from being used as a safe haven for terror and that's an important interest in the United States, an important interest of all us who are concerned about that part of the world. As far as specific programs or resources devoted to developing Somalia national institutions, frankly I think the question is a little bit premature."

Ereli refused to identify the groups which the US is helping in Somalia.

Previous Stories:
  Somalia's Islamist groups consolidate gain   (6/14/2006)
  Somalia's Islamist groups consolidate gain   (6/14/2006)
  US conference on Somalia, Islamists not invited   (6/10/2006)
  US conference on Somalia, Islamists not invited   (6/10/2006)
  AU president: US should not support to warlords in Somalia   (6/7/2006)
  AU president: US should not support to warlords in Somalia   (6/7/2006)

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