Dear Friends
Greetings of peace and blessing from Africa. I am so happy to share with you the out come of the meeting of Somalia Civil Society towards sustainable peace in Somalia where URI Africa took active role and bring on board three civil societies from Somalia to URI family. URI is now in Somalia!!!
As you may now there was no Government in Somalia for the last 17 years since the collapse of the Sied Barre led government, since then, Somalia has experienced civil strives and increasing conflict. The dynamics of the conflict have changed from time to time and this conflict has left untold loss of human and social capital and life. The problem is still there.
The transitional government of Somalia is now in place, although some groups like the al shabaab continue to hold different views on what and how Somalia should be and this is causing a lot of problem in Somalia right now.
After more than a decade and half, Somalia is now getting back on course and a lot of work needs to be done to bring peace, trust, reconciliation, development and healing in Somalia.
Civil Societies in Somalia has played a critical role in filling the gap that government has left. They stepped in and provided much needed basic support to the people. The role of civil society in peace-building effort in Somalia is paramount important. With this in mind and to provide space for Somalia Civil Societies voice to be heard regionally and internationally and in order to explore ways in which other peace organizations like URI could joined hand with Somalia Civil Society a meeting was organized in Kenya for 25 Somalia Civil Societies from Monday the 13th of December to Thursday the 17th of December 2009.
I took part in this meeting representing URI and share with the participants on the issue of good governance, the role of religions leaders, Cultural leaders, elders and how we can join hand and create a team spirit to move forward the work of peace, healing and reconciliation and bring more social development in Somalia and the horn of Africa.
The participants came to agreement to urge the agenda of the Civil Society Forum of Somalia in the year 2010 to give priority on: human rights, democracy, good governance, security and matters related to Demobilization, Disarmament, Reintegration and Reconciliation.
At the end of the last day of the meeting a Communiqué on the out come of the meeting was issued. Gold Rule poster was presented from URI Africa to all participants and end the meeting with the Peace Prayer of May Peace Prevail in Somalia and on Earth.
Three active Civil Society in Somalia fill the application to be a URI CC. During my stay in Kenya I also had a meeting with the representatives of URI CC and Mrs. Rattan Channa, a URI GC Trustee from Africa)
MAY PEACE PREVAIL IN SOMALIA
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
