Final Communiqué for the 4th NCF Annual Conference

NCF 2010 Conference

Held in Lukenya Getaway, Nairobi, Kenya, December 19-23, 2010

Communiqué

Crafting an alternative vision for the Somali Republic:

The Duty that every Somali owes to the Motherland

INTRODUCTION

The National Civic Forum (NCF) is an independent, non-partisan organization founded by Somali professionals and scholars in September, 2004. NCF's mission is to generate and disseminate innovative and constructive ideas to assist in the achievement of national reconciliation, economic recovery, the reconstruction of the Somali Republic and the establishment of the rule of law, respect for human rights, civil liberties, and social justice in the Somali Republic.

This communiqué is a condensation of the most important points discussed and analyzed in NCF's 4th annual conference in which members of NCF and several invited scholars from various disciplines presented and debated research papers covering eminent issues facing the Somali Republic.

Peace and Security

1. The participants of NCF's 4th annual conference condemn in the strongest terms all violence committed against innocent civilians, and all human rights violations regardless of who committed them.

2. We call on all relief agencies and concerned parties to urgently provide massive humanitarian aid to the draught stricken areas as well as to the populations affected by chronic food insecurity.

3. Every faction or group, which claims the control of an area, or is publicly known to do so, must be held accountable for any violence that is perpetrated against civilians in that area. Such groups should not hinder in any form or shape the delivery of humanitarian aid should guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers serving the areas under their control.

4. TFG and the armed opposition forces must declare an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and peacefully resolve their differences in order to bring an end to the suffering of the Somali people. The TFG and the opposition should work towards a peaceful political settlement.

5. We demand that all foreign entities who perpetuate conflict and violence in the Somali Republic to cease their political interference in Somali affairs.

6. The mandate of AMISOM Troops and their rules of engagement must clearly require utmost restraint and protection of the lives and properties of the civilian population. The rules of engagement must clearly state that AMISOM should not indiscriminately shell the civilian population in their engagement with the armed opposition.

7. We strongly condemn the culture of impunity and corruption, which has become the norm in the Somali Republic.

8. We are delighted with and encourage the Somali business sector's achievements in a hostile environment. We are mindful of the remarkable co-operation among the various individuals and companies, and hope that other sectors of the society would learn from their vision that goes beyond divisiveness.

9. We condemn all parties involved in unethical and immoral business and/social activities such as the importation and selling of unsafe foodstuffs, and medicinal products, and activities that lead to environmental degradation. We call on all Somali Authorities to actively prosecute those who are involved in the above activities.

10. We condemn all entities involved in piracy as well as plundering Somali marine resources and dumping toxic materials.

11. We reaffirm that Somali unity and sovereignty are sacrosanct and non-negotiable.

12. The process of drafting the constitution should be Somali owned and the constitution itself should reflect Somali tradition that is compatible with Islamic values.

13. The draft constitution should not be put into force until approved through a national referendum to be carried out when conditions in the whole country allow it.

14. The peace process should be Somali-owned and operated and should be held inside the borders of the Somali Republic, provided a competent authority guarantees security of participants.

Civil Society

15. We salute the Somali civil society and the caring entrepreneurs who have managed to hold the light of hope for our future generations and tangibly contributed in building strong social services, particularly in the key sectors of education and health.

16. We call on all civil society groups to form a united front in order to better contribute to the peace process, humanitarian relief, and sustainable development in the Somali Republic. The civil society should also constructively engage Somali intellectuals, politicians, traditional and religious leaders, and members of the Diaspora in coordinating their efforts.

17. The civil society should promote the culture of dialogue and should use its influence in order to facilitate a dialogue between the TFG and the opposition.

18. The civil society should create a database of all civil society groups in order for them to pool their resources so that they can better serve the society, and advocate its interests.

19. The civil society should mobilize the Somali people to form a grassroots movement aimed at social and political change.

20. The civil society should advocate for the safeguarding of the natural resources of the Somali Republic, its environment, and the preservation of national assets, language, and cultural heritage.

Source: www.ncfsomali.net