France expects this conference to show the international community’s determination to make every possible effort to assure the Somalian people of a future and to contribute to the rebirth of a sovereign, united and independent Somalia.

"Allow me to begin by thanking the British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, on behalf of the French Government, for organizing this conference at a critical time for Somalia, and also for his personal commitment to supporting peace in the country.

Why are we here together today?

• Because the people of Somalia, who have endured 20 years of war and who are confronted by a terrible famine, have the right to live in a peaceful country, where there is no lack of food and water;
• Because the Somalian crisis affects the whole of the Horn of Africa and fuels rivalries, hatred and terrorism;
• Because the security of the seas is threatened more every day by piracy, which is principally rooted in the absence of development prospects in Somalia;
• Because we ourselves are direct victims of Al-Shabaab, whose al-Qaeda-linked militias resort to terrorism and hostage-taking to try to impose their law on this region.
  

We have not forgotten that one of our compatriots, Marie Dedieu, who was abducted in Kenya and delivered into the hands of Islamic militias, died in terrible conditions.
Nor have we forgotten our people held hostage in Somalia, and elsewhere in Africa.

France expects this conference to show the international community’s determination to make every possible effort to assure the Somalian people of a future and to contribute to the rebirth of a sovereign, united and independent Somalia. In
recent years, my country has been mobilized ceaselessly. Today, it is more determined than ever to pursue its efforts in this matter.

Today’s meeting must firstly give new momentum to the
reconstruction of the Somalian State. We initiated this reconstruction process with the Somalis in recent years, with the creation of a Transitional Federal Government (TFG), responsible for laying the foundations of a new Somali State, and in particular for promoting enduring peace and reconciliation. In a few months, thanks to the support of France, Europe, and the international community as a whole, progress has been made. I am thinking of the signature of the Kampala Accord, September's roadmap and Garowe principles. I am also thinking of the success on the ground in the face of Al-Shabaab.

It is essential today to maintain that momentum. In the new Somalia which is being born, each group in the country must have its place. This is why the reconstruction of the Somali State also involves enhanced dialogue with local entities. The authorities in Mogadishu need to better take into account the singularity of Somaliland, Puntland and Galmudug. In return, the regions must express their commitment to national unity. I am convinced that every party can be satisfied. All Somali entities have the right to participate in this dialogue, so long as they commit to respecting the country's unity and territorial integrity, to combating terrorism and all forms of violence, and to seeking to put an end to maritime piracy.

Politically, there is no alternative to a sui generis solution, which must come from the Somalis themselves. It is the responsibility of the international community not to take the
place of this reconciliation and dialogue process, but to provide support.

Our second objective is to re-establish peace and security nationwide. The challenges are immense. The first challenge is security on the ground. The current situation is not sustainable. Al-Shabaab must lay down arms and give up violence.

The international community has spared no effort. I would like in particular to commend the fundamental role of the African Union, through AMISOM, its mission in Somalia, for which
France has trained over 16,000 African soldiers in five years. I would like to pay homage to the dedication of the African contingents, from Uganda, Burundi, and now Djibouti. It is
because we are convinced of AMISOM’s key role that we decided yesterday in New York to respond favourably to the African Union’s request to increase its numbers and its
resources.

In liberated areas, it is primarily the responsibility of Somali forces to ensure peace reigns. Not a fragile peace imposed from the outside, but a Somali peace, assumed by the Somali
people themselves. This is why we are determined to continue training Somali police officers and soldiers, on a bilateral basis, as we have done in Djibouti, and also, above all, under the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Uganda, to which France provides its full financial and human support.

Today, the success of this Mission is recognized by all its partners, be they the Somali and Ugandan authorities, the United Nations, or the African Union, and especially AMISOM. Following their training in Uganda, 1,700 soldiers have already returned to Somalia, where they participate actively, alongside AMISOM, in the combat against al-Shabaab and in controlling Mogadishu. More than 600 additional recruits will join them shortly.

The second challenge is maritime security. How can we accept that a small group of people are spreading terror on the oceans? How can we accept that despite the determined efforts
of the international community, piracy continues to thrive?

In 2008, France was the first to respond to the World Food Programme’s appeal to protect its vessels from this threat. From that response was born Operation Atalanta, and other
partners now contribute in order to fight piracy.

But we must go further.

• Greater resources are needed, as well as greater commitment from Somalia's partners.
• The Somali authorities must implement the roadmap adopted on 6 September 2011.
• We must put an end to the scandalous impunity of pirates, once and for all. This means supplementing our efforts with a strategy on the ground. On a bilateral and European basis, we are working to build the maritime and judicial capacities of regional countries, in particular Somalia, where we have long proposed the establishment of a specialized court, in order to help them combat piracy themselves. At European level, we also support the launch, from the summer, of a CSDP mission to strengthen the region’s maritime and judicial capacities: the EUCAP mission.
  

On these points, we expect significant momentum to be born of today's conference.

Lastly, we must work together to rebuild Somalia’s economy.

It is urgent to find an answer to the humanitarian crisis. Here again, how can we not be revolted by the situation? In 2012, how can we accept that humanitarian aid be blocked, or, worse, diverted, and that the Somali population, women and children, die through lack of help. France will never accept that.

True, faced with the gravity of the situation, the international community responded. Beyond the 77 million euros of humanitarian assistance provided by the European Union, to which France contributed substantially, we immediately reacted by allocating 30 million euros of bilateral aid to the Horn of Africa in 2011, including 25 million euros for Somalia. We will continue these efforts.

It is the duty of the international community today to condemn all attacks against the civilian population in the strongest terms. It is our duty to spark a collective conscience regarding
the situation in Somalia.

To respond to the humanitarian crisis is to respond to tomorrow’s development. From this day we must prepare the reconstruction of Somalia, by encouraging the return of economic activity, particularly in priority sectors such as port and fishing activities, cattle exports and the regulated development of telecommunications services. We do not underestimate the scale of the task, nor the difficulties faced by Somalia and its people. Whilst the action
of our governments is vital, we must also recreate the conditions needed for our enterprises to once again consider working in Somalia.

This is why France welcomes the recent decision of the United Nations to install the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) in Mogadishu. That is a major political act.

This is also why we hope to see the European Union increase its presence in Somalia. We welcome the nomination in early January of Mr Alexander Rondos as European Union Special Representative for Somalia. We are counting on him to ensure, with the help of the European External Action Service and the Commission, the follow-up and visibility of the European Union’s assistance and to enable Europe to contribute fully to the political process that has our support.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We approve the conclusions of this conference unreservedly. We call upon all actors to be determined in their commitments to implement the guidelines that are set.

We are proud of our participation, and we are proud of the impressive human and financial support that the European Union is providing to support Somalia.

Hope can be reborn in Somalia today.

(c) Sunatimes.com

By Dahir Alasow