YouSaid · the spoken record

Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed

lines on the record: 32
first: 2009-09-24
most recent: 2010-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I would also like to thank the Governments of the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the European Union and the brotherly Arab States, as well as the African Union, all of which have contributed to security and stability in my country. Our thanks also go to the international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, for their support. We hope that we will all succeed in restoring security and stability very soon because the continued suffering of the Somali people is unacceptable. In conclusion, I pray to God that the efforts of this session of the General Assembly will be crowned with success and that Somalia will attend the next session having resolved its chronic crisis.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Nevertheless, I would like to point out that all that has been offered to date is still not commensurate with what Somalia deserves. Somalia is a country that has lost everything, including its State infrastructure. We hope that the international community will assume its humanitarian responsibility towards our country and assist in ending its suffering, which has now entered its twenty-first year. It is also our hope that the international community will fulfil its promises and turn its resolutions and recommendations — past and present — into actual, implementable deeds. I would especially like to thank the Governments of Uganda and Burundi, which have sent their troops to Somalia to bring peace to the situation there.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The TFG should also be given the support it needs to discharge its duties and manage its budget, so that it can stand on its own two feet and carry out its economic projects and extend its authority throughout the country. Fifth, the Somali Government should be assisted in rebuilding the infrastructure that was destroyed in the civil wars. Sixth, the international community should participate and assist in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Somali State institutions, such as schools, hospitals and educational centres. Seventh, the Somali economy must be promoted and its faltering institutions developed. Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to the international community for its assiduous efforts to restore peace and stability in Somalia.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Third, a military strategy must be designed and implemented by the United Nations, including the dispatch of an international force to Somalia with the purpose of restoring security and stability throughout the country. Fourth, the Security Council should adopt resolutions aimed at saving Somalia and liberating it from Al-Qaida and any other terrorist movements that conspire against the restoration of peace and security there. On the political front, we would also ask for continued United Nations support for the TFG, allowing it to remain a focal point for reconciliation between the various parties in Somalia and the international community.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“From this rostrum, I appeal to the world’s leaders and the international community to continue to come forward to help us stop the bloodshed in Somalia and to provide us with the 10-55103 20 emergency assistance necessary to save our citizens and Government, especially in the following areas. First, in the field of security, the Somali security forces need to be armed and trained in an effective way so that they are capable of taking the security initiative in their country, and provided with the salaries and health care they need if they are to protect citizens and establish Government authority throughout the country. Second, the African Union forces in Somalia must be strengthened and reinforced by the addition of new forces.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We must revitalize our judicial institutions and train judges and legal assistants, as well as reconstruct and rehabilitate support centres such as police stations, criminal courts and prisons. We should create an environment conducive to dialogue, reconciliation, negotiation and collective work, and halt the continuing violence in Somalia, which has lasted more than two decades now, so that peace and security can be restored. Finally, we must end the internal disputes that continue to erupt within our national institutions — for instance, among members of Parliament — and resolve them peacefully. These are but a few of the issues that we have selected from among the many on which our strategic plans are focused. However, a shortage of funds, resources and expertise hinders the TFG from implementing many of them.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We must further create opportunities to empower young people to play leadership roles, and furnish them with the skills necessary to manage Government institutions. We need to increase the skills and abilities of Government employees and foster a spirit of sacrifice for the homeland and devotion to work and transparency in conducting the country’s business. We must build capacity in the security sector and train police and security forces to protect the Somali people and their independence and territorial integrity. We need to prepare a permanent constitution that can serve as the foundation for law, democracy and the guarantee of basic human freedoms. The constitution will be submitted for a referendum so that it can be applied as soon as possible.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We must produce a public budget for 2010 that covers economic, political and social affairs and State management expenses, as well as reconstruction. We must rehabilitate Government ministries and institutions and economic structures, such as the central bank, and encourage a free-market economy. We must provide food and humanitarian assistance to the needy and those displaced by river floodings, drought or desertification. This plan has been particularly difficult to implement because the Al-Shabaab movement has blocked the distribution of humanitarian aid and food to the areas it controls, and has raided and stolen from aid organizations and hijacked vehicles carrying food intended for the hungry.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Here, we should note that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), while only in its second year, has managed to counter and repel these enemy attacks and to achieve reconciliation and several agreements with members of Hizbul Islam and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a. Thus the TFG has achieved some success in its goals, especially following its recent ministerial change, which brought in members of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a, who have been assigned important ministerial positions in the new Government. I note that the national reconciliation achieved in Djibouti remains a strategic choice for us, and we reach out to all those who desire peace and security in Somalia. We have also formed strategic plans in the areas of politics, security and social reform.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Beyond this, we need to solve the political, economic and social root causes of terrorism locally, regionally and internationally. After many years of dispute and conflict, the Somali parties met in Djibouti and reached an agreement, endorsed by the international community, that led to the creation of a broad-based national Government that included all the conflicting parties who participated in the Djibouti peace conference. This Government has inherited a heavy burden and many challenges and obstacles, but it has managed to shoulder those responsibilities. However, it continues to wage a bitter struggle against such hostile elements as Al-Qaida and its allies, Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“This is illegal fishing and the dumping of toxic waste along the Somali coast, which harm the health of Somalia’s citizens and its environment. We have already begun to see symptoms and illnesses that did not previously exist in Somalia. One function of the General Assembly is to deal with hotbeds of tension and threats to international peace and security. I therefore appeal to world leaders to stand together in confronting the threat of international terrorism, including Al-Qaida and Al-Shabaab, as well as organized crime. We must eliminate this scourge so that it will not expand and worsen, and bear in mind that any delay or compromise will provide further opportunities for terrorism, prolong its life and allow it to spread.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“While military convoys attempt to protect shipping in the Indian Ocean, they are unable to uproot this ongoing threat or eliminate its root causes. There is a close connection between those pirates and armed extremist elements in Somalia. Such ships can be destroyed at any time and their crews killed rather than be held for ransom. All of this, again, requires a solution to the problems in Somalia, because the root causes of these problems lie not at sea but on land. No partial solution to the problems of Somalia can succeed no matter how strong and effective it is; only a comprehensive solution of these problems will work. 19 10-55103 I would also like to draw attention to a phenomenon even more dangerous to the Somalis in the long term than piracy.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“This movement does not believe in Somalia as a nation and does not support the creation of a national Government in Somalia; rather, it seeks to establish the Horn of Africa as a terrorist hub that is managed by its Al-Qaida partners and whose intention is to wreak havoc on the entire region and the world beyond. Besides terrorism on land, another type of terrorism — piracy, perpetrated by pirates and extremist movements in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean — threatens navigation and sea trade. Maritime terrorism is no less dangerous than land-based terrorism; many United Nations Member States have had their ships hijacked by pirates who attack merchant or passenger vessels and then blackmail them and demand millions in ransom.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Other heinous acts include the explosion at the Muna Hotel, the African Union headquarters in Mogadishu, as well as the explosion in Kampala, Uganda, which killed over 70 innocent people who had come to watch the World Cup match that was then taking place in South Africa. These beastly massacres carried out by Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaida terrorists turn the stomach of any person with a conscience. This movement carries out such acts in Mogadishu and other Somali cities on a daily basis, in plain public sight and in places of worship, killing Somali civilians, hacking off their limbs, hands and ears and cutting their throats. It has also carried out unspeakable crimes against humanity, such as cutting off the heads of victims and disposing of them somewhere else. It has also committed rape and theft and caused great damage to property.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We see destructive wars being fought throughout the world, causing the suffering of millions, as well as the horrors of global terrorism, especially in the developing world. Somalia is the weaker link in this scenario and therefore suffers from the worst kinds of international terrorism perpetrated, inter alia, by Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaida and the foreign criminal elements supporting them. Al-Qaida boasted of its responsibility for the horrible acts that occurred in Mogadishu on 3 December 2009 at the Benadir University graduation ceremony, where many graduating doctors died at a time when the country needed them most. Professors, ministers, families and guests also died at that ceremony.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“A few centuries ago, the peoples of the world suffered from the horror of colonial slavery, injustice and oppressive cultures in which the strong preyed on the weak, as well as from horrific wars that spared nothing. It was through the collective will of victorious nations around the world that this fine institution was established in 1945 in order to ensure lasting peace and security and to protect human rights, the sovereignty of nations and the rights of people to self-determination, as well as justice, freedom of thought and expression. However, 65 years since its inception, we must ask ourselves whether the world is more secure or nations are more at peace with one another. Has humankind attained its ambition of a good life, development and sustainable prosperity? The answer, clearly, is no.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“In our world today, known for its technological advancement and modern science, we are confronted by many challenges resulting from climate change, global warming and their effects, such as devastating floods, drought, forest fires, landslides, desertification, earthquakes, snow storms and so on. Such environmental problems have occurred recently in many countries, including the violent floods in Pakistan and China and the destructive forest fires in Russia, alongside other problems worldwide. We feel great compassion for the countries affected by these natural disasters, and we must cooperate with and provide them the assistance they need while we express our grief and condolences for their suffering.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“This annual gathering brings together world leaders and their representatives in order to highlight positive and praiseworthy accomplishments and developments, and to identify common global challenges, emerging problems and their causes, and consequently to discuss and seek appropriate solutions for them. This meeting comes at a critical moment, when our contemporary world faces a series of challenges ranging from economic crises to natural disasters and bloody wars that threaten international peace and stability, as well as other international issues that require timely resolutions and serious work from the 10-55103 18 General Assembly to design strategies to avoid them in the future.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“On the grand occasion of the general debate of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly, I congratulate the new President of the Assembly, Mr. Joseph Deiss, who is known for his political skills and wise leadership. I would also like to extend my appreciation to his predecessor, Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, President of the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session, for the able manner in which he led our work. I hope this session will end successfully and produce recommendations and resolutions that will serve humanity and the world at large. I further thank the Secretary-General for his strong and genuine interest in and commitment to addressing the critical international issues facing the world, and Somalia in particular.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“If Somalia enjoyed some level of stability and security our economy could progress reasonably in the coming years. In any event, peace, stability and development are all interlinked; there can be no peace without development or development without peace and stability. The worldwide economic decline has severely affected the people of Somalia and has placed an additional burden on their shoulders. From this rostrum, we reiterate our appeal for joint, urgent action for Somalia. I stand before the Assembly fully confident in the future of Somalia. It is a country with vast natural and human resources. We believe and we are confident that, with support, we will be able to make genuine and concrete progress.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I also urge United 09-52463 20 Nations Member States and Security Council members to take further measures to support the Republic of Somalia more effectively in order to end the intransigence of the extremists and to ensure that no further obstacles exist to rehabilitating Somalia and rebuilding its infrastructure so that we can bring an end to the genuine daily tragedy of the people in Somalia. We firmly believe that our progress on security is likely to enable us to counter the negative economic and social impacts of the chaotic events of the past 18 years. Somalia would be in a position to revive the entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Somalia. We have already begun to make tangible progress with remittances from Somalis abroad.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In connection with Security Council resolutions on the arms embargo, I urge the Council to reconsider the matter and appeal to it to assist us in strengthening our security forces without which any endeavour to rebuild infrastructure and achieve security and stability in Somalia will be impossible. On the donors conference held in Brussels in April 2009 pursuant to Security Council resolution 1863 (2009), we wish to ask donor countries which have made funds available to Somalia to speed up the allocation of additional funding.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In order to restore security in Somalia, those measures must be implemented decisively and as soon as possible. In the context of humanitarian assistance, it must be emphasized that the situation of refugees, both within Somalia and outside its borders, continues to deteriorate. There are nearly 3.8 million people in the country requiring humanitarian assistance. Our people are experiencing a real humanitarian tragedy that is compounded by several years of drought. Humanitarian access to those in need is considerably hampered by the security situation that has deteriorated as a result of the conflict.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Furthermore, we intend to cooperate closely with the international community in the security sphere. At this trying moment in history, Somalia urgently needs the support and assistance of the international community, in particular in the form of security and humanitarian aid. Since 1991, Somalia has not enjoyed peace, stability or security. Thus, it has been difficult to achieve social and economic development and to protect human rights. Security and stability may be established if certain essential measures are taken, including promotion of the security and police components, the judiciary and administrative institutions. African Union troops should be increased to a necessary level and augmented by other troops, provided that they are sufficiently funded, trained and equipped to carry out their task.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“That system will be based on an institutional regime and constitutional mechanisms designed to protect human rights and the rule of law. Similarly, we will foster genuine Islamic principles that encourage tolerance, personal freedoms, respect for individual rights and equal rights for all under the law, without regard to gender, clan or ethnic origin. In addition, we will work tirelessly towards establishing a free-market economic system to attract foreign direct investment and encourage private ownership. The system we will introduce will have sound and effective financial institutions with strong built-in anti-corruption mechanisms. We will use all available means to rebuild a national Somali State that is at peace with itself, with its neighbours and with the international community.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We are determined to sit down at the negotiating table with all parties, even those who are against the Government, any time and any place, in order to end the conflict raging in our country. We will spare no effort to end the conflict and find a lasting political solution. We will ensure the security of our people and protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, the extremists do not believe in the benefit of any manner of dialogue or negotiation; they believe only in guns and cannons. We are ready to establish a firm foundation for an open, transparent and participatory democratic political system by creating sound democratic institutions that reflect the collective political will and the cultural values of the Somali people.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“As a result, as long as the security situation in Somalia remains unchanged, piracy will continue in one way or another. We would like to say, however, that there has of late been a reduction of piracy as a result of collective international endeavours. Still, it remains essential to make additional efforts to combat piracy. Toxic waste sunk off the Somali coast, unlawful fishing and the pillaging of national wealth are a violation of Somali sovereignty and cause considerable damage, which has a negative effect on the environment through the pollution caused. We are resolved to engage in a political dialogue that is open to all Somali stakeholders, including the armed rebels.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The international community should take prompt and decisive steps to ensure that our people are not held hostage by these extremist groups who are working against our freedom and our destiny. From this rostrum I would like to state that if the world does not comprehend the gravity of what is happening in Somalia, then the consequences will be very harmful. The troubles we are experiencing threaten to proliferate into neighbouring countries and indeed throughout the world. The problem of international terrorism is not confined to Somalia and this problem should be addressed at the international level. 19 09-52463 I turn now to the issue of piracy, which has recently become a matter of major concern for the international community. The phenomenon of piracy is closely linked to the current security situation in Somalia.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We are currently endeavouring to promote and bolster the Somali security forces, to create new naval forces and a new coast guard to tackle the problem of piracy, which continues to threaten international shipping in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. However, despite all our achievements we still have a long road to travel. Rebellion in Somalia is a new form of insurgency that is emerging in the world today. This rebellion is conducted by foreign and Somali extremists who are against Islam, against peace, against security and against stability. They are spoilers who sow destruction and take exploit the chaos and anarchy that have existed in Somalia since 1991. We suggest that what is happening in Somalia should not be underestimated or taken lightly.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“These rebel elements have conducted a violent insurrection against the Government, fuelled by the negative effects and consequences of the past 18 years, which are further compounded by prevailing high unemployment and our country’s weakness in the field of security. It is clear that extremist foreign elements have joined the ranks of the insurgency and some of these foreign extremists hold key rebel leadership positions. I would like to recall that we thwarted the attempted coup d’état perpetrated by the rebels against the Government. We believe that we were able to prevail thanks, first and foremost, to God, and then through the efforts of our Government and people and the help we received from the international community and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I would particularly like to thank the African Union, which has made tremendous sacrifices for the cause of peace in Somalia. I would now like to talk about the efforts and progress made by the Government of Somalia since it came to power through the Djibouti peace process — progress made despite the enormous difficulties and challenges facing the Somali nation, particularly given that it was established after 18 years of anarchy and chaos. My Government’s priorities include improving the security situation, promoting efforts towards reconciliation and providing essential humanitarian assistance to the displaced and the suffering in our country. Unfortunately, however, the rebels are endeavouring to overthrow the Somali Government, which is still taking its first steps in achieving security.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“I would like to begin by congratulating Mr. Ali Treki on his election as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session. We are confident that the international community will greatly benefit from his experience and wisdom on the political and human fronts, and at the local and international levels. I also take this opportunity warmly to thank the Secretary-General and all Governments, international organizations and permanent members who have offered support and have promoted peace and stability in Somalia, and who have delivered to our country the aid necessary to protect our sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity. I wish to express our condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in defence of peace and stability in Somalia.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)