David Shinn's Remarks to Somali Transitional Federal Government Members of Parliament

Remarks to Somali Transitional Federal Government Members of Parliament

Mayflower Renaissance Hotel

Washington, D.C.

24 June 2010

David H. Shinn

Elliott School of International Affairs

George Washington University

In addressing the seven members of parliament, I explained that I had recently returned from the 9th Horn of Africa Conference with a focus on Somalia organized by the Somalia International Rehabilitation Centre in Lund, Sweden, on 4-6 June. I wanted to share some of the thoughts relevant to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) that came out of that meeting attended by Somalis from the diaspora, from Somalia and representatives of the international community. I explained that I would speak frankly but as a friend of Somalia. I urged that they consider my remarks as constructive
criticism. I emphasized that my views are my own; I am no longer a representative of the U.S. government.

While the TFG is today the only political organization that the international community will support, patience with lack of progress in resolving Somalia’s problems is wearing thin. It is not clear how long this international support will last. The TFG needs to become more representative and credible. It is essential that it end the internal
political squabbling among its leaders and that it implement the alliance it has signed with Ahlu Sunnah wal Jama’a. Although it is inconceivable that the United States will ever support al-Shabaab, it is not inconceivable that it will lose interest in the TFG.

There was a widespread belief among Somali members of the diaspora at the
meeting in Lund that the TFG is already a failure. There was also a broadly held perception that corruption is rampant within the TFG. If serious corruption continues, it will end what is left of diaspora and international support for the TFG. Even if these reports are exaggerated, the TFG must get control of the corruption issue.

The TFG needs a clear program and message to present to Somalis. Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam have such a message even if most Somalis don’t like it. The TFG has no central message. Several participants at the conference in Lund emphasized that the TFG can only defeat al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam with a better idea. I fully agree.

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