YouSaid · the spoken record

Omer

lines on the record: 35
first: 2016-05-11
most recent: 2017-01-27
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-security-council

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

“In looking at Somalia, therefore, please continue to see our courageous progress against great odds, our country's wonderful opportunities and untapped potential resources, as well as our determination to never return to the past, but to accelerate - peaceably and purposefully - to a better future.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, this is my third opportunity to address this important organ in my current role. Our Government has achieved many of the goals we set for ourselves in the past two years, but many challenges remain. It has been an honour to work with Council members' Governments on the key issues concerning both Somalia and the wider world, and I would like to thank everyone for their valuable support. I would also like to stress the fact that the progress of Somalia is more than rhetorical; it is a reality evidenced by every member of the diaspora - and I include myself in this - and their desire to return, in the undefeatable spirit of the Somali people, to achieve progress and prosperity for themselves, their families and their nation.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“The drought is expected to deepen, as the current rainy season sharply underperformed and it will be another four months before the next rainy season. According to the United Nations, as previously stated, there are now 5 million people facing acute food shortages, including more than 50,000 children who are severely malnourished. We appeal to the Council, the donor community and the public and private sectors to urgently heed the multiple urgent warnings by United Nations specialized agencies and to help us address the pressing lifesaving and livelihood-support needs facing many Somali people, in particular women, children, the internally displaced persons and other vulnerable people. This appeal goes for the entire Horn of Africa, in particular parts of Ethiopia and of Kenya.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“These critical components of development must accompany the physical security we seek, otherwise it will prove difficult to overcome the challenges of radicalization, illegal migration and the tragedy of wasted talent and lives on the high seas. The Somali Government has adopted a national development plan, which was completed last year, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We kindly ask all partners to support the clearly specified Somali priorities set out within it. I would like to turn your attention, Mr. President, to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in my Somalia, which is poised to worsen as drought conditions extend beyond Puntland and Somaliland to areas in the south.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“There is no textbook that teaches us how to deal with this, and therefore we must share knowledge, adapt and devise sustainable and diverse solutions to overcome this evil. In the case of Somalia, we have completed our national countering violent extremism strategy, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with all Member States on this critical issue. Despite our solid political and socioeconomic ambitions and gains, I would like to reiterate, as I did in my September 2016 presentation to this organ, the importance of the remaining challenges to development in Somalia, such as investment, education, jobs and skills.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“Despite the courage of AMISOM. soldiers in Somalia, our national ambition is to nurture and develop a well-trained, -equipped and -funded Somali National Army and police force that protects its citizens and safeguards the progress of the nation for the betterment of our people, our neighbours and the world. We are thankful to all partners that are actively assisting us to work towards and realize this fundamental goal. The fight against international terrorism is difficult and long. This is simply because we are dealing with new phenomena, which include greater use of technology to radicalize people and new techniques of terror, such as misleading young children to blow themselves up. For those present who wish to know about the latest such incident, two young people aged 16 years old blew themselves up in Mogadishu.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“No one is insulated from terrorism, and the violent ending of last year as well as the beginning of this year, in as diverse places as Berlin, Istanbul and Mogadishu, are clear illustrations of this. We are therefore proud and privileged to be working with valued partners, including members of the Security Council, in diverse and effective ways to destroy the last remaining pockets of terror on our soil. The Somali Government is proud of the collective efforts of the Somali security forces and their partners in AMISOM, which allow the Somali people to live peacefully. I pay my respects and convey the gratitude of my country for their sterling efforts and success, which has come at a deadly price on many occasions. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten, and their memory will spur on our national and regional progress.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“The most recent example of this was the attack on Wednesday on the Dayah Hotel in Mogadishu, in which innocent people lost their lives and many more were injured because of pointless and cruel violence. While our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims ofthis and other evil attacks, both in Somalia and across the world, we are winning the war against Al-Shabaab. Many of their leaders either have been killed or have defected to the Government, and their desperate tactics are the best evidence of their diminishing capabilities and moral bankruptcy. Permanently defeating Al-Shabaab is pertinent to the progress of Somalia and the overall fight against international terrorism.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“However, we in Somalia are committed to our national development - and hence to governing ourselves fairly and democratically. Since our previous meeting at the Security Council (see S/PV.7778), security has continued to improve. As I informed members then, I can confidently repeat that, due to the courage and sacrifices of the Somali National Army and the troops of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Al-Shabaab has been defeated militarily. Despite the headlines and the - at times - irresponsible discussions in some quarters of the international media of its resurgence, Al-Shabaab has been reduced to carrying out primarily opportunistic attacks against soft targets and innocent civilians.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“Among the key reasons for the delay was the process of understanding and implementing an electoral system that was adopted by the Somali Government on the part of the Federal member states and candidates. Going forward, the process of planning and executing one person, one vote in 2020 must begin immediately. Furthermore, to guide the entire process, we will partner with all stakeholders and complete the constitutional review process, strengthen enabling democratic institutions and ratify and implement the laws that underpin it all, such as the political party laws. It is a fact of history and process that democratization is not easy. It is a marathon in tough terrain rather than a race in a perfectly designed stadium with guiding tracks, perfect lighting and enthusiastic fans.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“Where in 2012, the entire process of elections was in the hands of 135 tribal elders guided by an electoral commission, today it is overseenoverseen by a Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team at the national level and six state-level indirect electoral implementation teams in the regions, which have been vocal throughout the elections. Despite the mentioned successes in the electoral process, there were challenges too, which provided us with many valuable lessons for the future. Those challenges, flowing from the very ambition of holding elections in a recovering post-conflict State that has only had an internationally recognized Government since 2012, led to a delay in the electoral process, which will be concluded by 8 February.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“The current process of indirect elections allowed a total of 14,025 delegates, selected by traditional elders and representing all groups within society, to vote for competing candidates. More impressive, the voting was not Mogadishu-centered, like in 2012, but took place all over the newly formed regional member states, including Hir-Shabelle, which was finally established. Following on from the voting, what is most symbolic is how peacefully and quickly titles were transferred and how the Somali people and politicians embraced the spirit and rules of democracy.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“For the first time in history, a transformation has taken place in female political representation, as was underlined by my siste Asha Gelle Dirie. When it comes to participation, an important precedent has been set for women's political mobilization. We are proud to say that we have achieved almost 26 per cent women representation in our Parliament, which is an increase of more than 70 per cent and a substantial improvement from what it was in 2012. In addition to the increase in female lawmakers, a larger number of young and talented Members of Parliament have been elected, including from the diaspora. While the election was not yet one person, one vote, it is a remarkable improvement over 2012, when 135 elders selected the entire Parliament.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“Somalis cannot hide from or wish away their difficult past, as it clearly has impacted on all of us heavily. But there is also no denying our collective ambition to never return to it. The Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali people, through sacrifice, self-assessment and tough negotiations, have finally set sail in the direction of peace and progress. Somalia is among Africa's first democracies and we are once again in the process of completing our first successful national elections in decades. So far, all parliamentarians from both the Upper and Lower House have been elected by constituents they represent. In turn, they have elected speakers for both institutions, paving the way for the presidential election scheduled for 8 February.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“I must stress and reiterate that, in many ways, Somalia has some key remaining challenges to overcome going forward, as Mr. Keating, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, made clear in his briefing. But, as he also acknowledged, the overall progress our country is making is tangible, sustainable and historic. The progress I am referring to, and which I will discuss in greater detail, is political, social, economic and security related. In Somalia's case, as in most post-conflict States, those components must go hand in hand for there to be sustainable development. Furthermore, while the term "progress" can be easily open to interpretation according to individual and group expectations, we can safely say that, by all measurements, progress in Somalia is clear and self- evident.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“The members of the Security Council, with many other partner nations within the United Nations, continue to play a vital role in our national progress alongside our people and the Government, both multilaterally and bilaterally. It is important to remember that, since I last addressed the Security Council, in September 2016 (see S/PV.7778), all members have taken the opportunity to visit Somalia and witness our national progress. The members of Security Council met with the President in Mogadishu. That was followed by further high- level visits from many Security Council membes and Members of the United Nations, which serve as the best evidence of constructive engagement, strengthening partnerships and Somalia and Somalis determinedly overcoming the difficult nightmare of the past.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“I want to also join you, Mr. President, and Mr. Michael Keating and Ambassador Madeira in sending our sincere condolences to the Kenyan and Somali families and the military staff and civilians who perished last night in the Juba Valley in a senseless, barbaric and un-Islamic attack. Moreover, it is wrong to use of our children as human bombs. This has happened too often, so let us all condemn it and make sure that it does not happen again. At the outset, on behalf of the Somali Government, I wish to congratulate the new members of this organ on their election. I commend in particular the Swedish Government on its stewardship and leadership of the Security Council this month. It is a great honour for me to address the Security Council on the important matter of Somalia's progress and the remaining challenges today.”
2017-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7873 (2017) · source
“The Somali leadership is committed to doing so, and the only game in town is the electoral process. While it has not happened as quickly or gone as smoothly as we hoped, it will happen, and it will happen within the new timeline we have set out. 1 ask the Council to continue to support us; in return, we will uphold our commitments to the timeline in 2016 and forward to universal elections in 2020. We appreciate the Council's support.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“The electoral oversight team also called for the speedy deployment of the African Union Mission and the Somalia troops to Galmudug, the capital of Cadaado, to bolster the security of the electoral process in that federal member state. The Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team also signalled the need for an immediate solution to the issue of Somaliland's representation in the Upper House in order to ensure its participation in this electoral process. The transition from conflict to stability is a long- term endeavour. The electoral process in 2016 is an essential step in the transition towards a democratic and stable Somalia, and we are grateful for the support of our partners and the Security Council in implementing the process. The Somali people are ready and waiting for this process to be completed.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“To ensure there is no further delay to the electoral process, the presidents of the existing and emerging federal member states will be expected to submit the names of candidates for the Upper House of the Federal Parliament by 5 October. While the parliamentary elections will be held from 23 October to 10 November, the presidential election will now take place on 30 November. The election of speakers of both houses of Parliament will be held on 23 November. The Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team also announced a breakthrough on the electoral venue for the Hiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, following negotiations with traditional elders representing the two regions.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“The Somali people are excited by this positive move towards democracy, and the different electoral commissions, as well as the Somali people in general, are working tirelessly on the implementation of the electoral mechanism in line with the new agreed timelines. We are fully engaged in working to ensure that more Somalis than ever before can have a say in the future governance of their country and that Somalia's positive trajectory can be maintained. This includes reserving 30 per cent of the seats in the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament for women, as their representation and political participation is central to our national progress. This is notjust rhetoric.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“That being said, we recognize the concern that delays in the electoral process raise for our partners, and we are not blind to the need to demonstrate our commitment to holding a credible, timely and inclusive electoral process. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Federal Government of Somalia, the National Leadership Forum and all political stakeholders in Somalia to this process. The Federal Government of Somalia has worked tirelessly in the past four years to reduce key threats to peace, security and stability in Somalia. I would like to reassure the Security Council of the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government to holding a credible and inclusive electoral process in 2016.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“In addition, there is also a need to adequately equip our national forces so that they can effectively respond to the AMISOM drawdown in 2018. Therefore, the continuing financial and technical assistance of valuable international partners to the national security forces in a timely and responsive manner is a must. In this regard, we welcome the communique of the special event for Somalia on security held in London and co-hosted by Tobias Ellwood, the United Kingdom Minister for the Middle East and Africa, and Mike Penning, the Minister for the Armed Forces, on 7 September 2016, in which many of our partners were also present and actively participated.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“On this matter, it was also agreed, during the historic twenty-eighth Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), held in Mogadishu last week, which was attended by the Presidents of Uganda and of Kenya, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and delegations from Djibouti, the Sudan and other IGAD member States, that the Somali national security forces and AMISOM. would work even more closely to meet this need. While our commitment to defending our country and taking full responsibility for our national security is ironclad, there is still a need for further training and mentoring for the national security forces within a coordinated framework between the Somali Federal Government and donors.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“In addition, we are ensuring that our national security forces work closely alongside AMISOM. to ensure that they put their training to effective use and actively participate in liberating the few remaining areas of the country held by Al-Shabaab as soon as possible. Furthermore, at the last National Leadership Forum meeting last week, the national security policy was endorsed. This will be our blueprint and guide to ensuring a safer Somalia, region and world through partnership and joint action. Last week's National Leadership Forum underscored the importance of protecting our electoral process from terrorist spoilers in all areas where elections are scheduled to happen.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“In the long term, it is fundamental that the Somali national security forces be in a position to take over the entire security responsibilities of Somalia and for Somalis from AMISOM. This is the only way we can truly achieve sustainable peace and development both in Somalia and across the region. In order to achieve this, there is agreement on and full understanding of the importance of an inclusive political agreement on the future of Somali security arrangements and the urgency of building up effective security-sector reform in Somalia, ahead of the agreed AMISOM. drawdown in 2018. The best evidence of our Government's commitment to leading on our national security is that the security forces training and integration process is ongoing and the new policing model has been endorsed by all stakeholders.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“Owing to the success of the joint operations of the Somali National Army and AMISOM, Al-Shabaab has turned to small-team asymmetric warfare tactics to conduct higher-impact terror attacks against soft targets in Somalia and, increasingly, in neighbouring countries. In response, our Government is working with partners and neighbours to enhance security cooperation so as to enable us to respond to the threat together and swiftly. The Somali Federal Government and the Somali people are grateful to the troop-contributing countries within AMISOM. for their support in stabilizing our nation. We fully recognize the great sacrifices that their soldiers have made and continue to make in the service of our country and our people's future. Their courage and service will never be forgotten, and their memories will always be honoured by us.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaida, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham, Boko Haram and others are a threat to all of us, wherever we are, simply because we refuse to conform to their futile, violent ideology. Terrorism is truly an evil without purpose or geography and can be defeated only in partnership across all sectors internationally. Over the past four years, the Somali National Army and AMISOM. have regained key towns and cities. Today, Al-Shabaab controls less than 10 percent of the country's territory. In recent months, many of its key leaders have been eliminated and others have defected, and their violent ideology is truly shunned by the Somali people. The Somali national forces and AMISOM. have proved that Al- Shabaab is vulnerable and divided and can be defeated through coordinated military action time and again.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“It is Clear how much progress has been made, and Somalis are justly proud of the steps they have taken to establish institutions, lay the foundations for an inclusive federal State and rebuild their country from the ground up. And the direction is upwards. It may not be as rapid or as smooth as we would like, but Somalia is making progress. Somalia faces the dual challenge of advancing development and reform initiatives in a complex environment. With the support of our brave national security services and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), we are successfully fighting a war against international terrorism. The threat is indeed international, because today no country, no matter how powerful, can insulate itself from terrorism.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on New Zealand's stewardship of the Security Council in the month of September. I am grateful for this opportunity to brief the Council today. There is a new dawn in Somalia. As I am speaking here today, many aspirant parliamentarians are returning to their constituencies to win over voters so that they can represent them in the next Parliament. Billboards and campaign material for the presidential hopefuls are all over the city as the candidates seek to win the hearts and minds of the Somali people ahead of the election. That is a truly historic leap forward in terms of democratization in Somalia, and clear evidence of the spirit and values of democracy that are taking shape in our country.”
2016-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7778 (2016) · source
“That is further evidence of our Government's commitment to addressing that crucial issue purposefully. As more and more Al-Shabaab fighters return from the violent wilderness into Government hands and their communities, we are confident that the Somali strategy on countering violent extremism will steadily continue to become more successful, especially as we make further political, security and economic development gains nationally.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Despite the misinterpretation of Islam by the violent extremists, a central belief in Islamic teaching must be used to defeat their fraudulent ideas. That is tolerance, interfaith dialogue and education. We should bear in mind, however, that Islamophobia is as extreme and dehumanizing as other forms of extremism and must be challenged and defeated collectively. Currently in Somalia, we are countering violent extremism with genuine religious education, amnesty for those seeking to return from radicalization and educating our people about the evils of radicalization and violent extremism. We are also collaborating with our partners and stakeholders to exchange knowledge and formulate best practices. Furthermore, our draft national security plan specifies countering violent extremism as a priority.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“That is why we must work together as a community ofnations to formulate and execute a coherent and responsive plan that safeguards our citizens and deals an ideological blow to the extremism that has caused so much misery and instability. Confronting violent extremism requires a combination of good governance, respect for the rule of law and the promotion of the ideals of peace so that we can show a better alternative to those at risk of radicalization. Given the immanent and fluid nature of the threat, everybody's job is to work together to put effective responses into practice. Governments, civil society, religious leaders and the business community must join hands at the local, national and international levels to end radicalization so that one of the major forces fuelling violent extremism can be extinguished.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Our Government is working across all groups in our society to counter extremism in Somalia, and we are partnering with the United Nations and other key stakeholders, including the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and individual partner nations to overcome that evil. Countering violent extremism is indeed a key challenge in our time. Where once people had to cross borders to radicalize and divide societies with mindless violence, today they just need to click a button on their computer. That brings the threat of radicalization closer to each home, street and nation around the world.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“The Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia welcomes this timely debate organized and chaired by Egypt on the topic countering the narratives and ideologies of extremism. Violent extremism is an issue that is truly dangerous and needs to be countered effectively and immediately. It is a threat that causes suspicion, hatred and division across the world. It is also fuelling many of our wars and humanitarian crises across the globe, crises that are perpetuated by the lack of a political solutions and the rise of radicalized foreign fighters. The Government of Somalia welcomes the Secretary-General's call to action and unity on countering violent extremism.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source