On November 5, 2006 the Speaker of Somali Parliament Hon. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden accompanied by 28 members of the parliament traveled to Mogadishu, the capital city in order to avert a new war in Somalia and the neighboring countries. The Speaker of the Parliament decided to undertake this worthy mission on the backdrop of the collapsed Khartoum peace negotiation between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Union of Islamic Courts Union (UIC). In a statement issued by the Speaker before his departure to Mogadishu, stated that, he is obligated as a Speaker of the Parliament to take the necessary action to salvage the Intra Somali dialogue and to overcome the difficulties which led to the lack of success in the Khartoum peace negotiation.
Though, the circumstances are difficult and the environment is currently non-conducive for dialogue, the Speaker has opted for peace to ward off the looming war over Somalia and the region. We, The Somali Diaspora in North America salute the Speaker for taking the leadership role in endorsing peace on his quest to Mogadishu. We are equally pleased, the receptive warm welcome he has received from the Union of Islamic Courts and their desire and commitment to continue the peace dialogue.
To the contrary, we are very disappointed and saddened by the reaction from the Transitional Federal Government in Baidao. We believe that it is irresponsible and imprudent not to support the Speaker's mission of peace and dialogue. We urge the TFG leadership to abandon its illusion and crave for a foreign solution and support and join the Speaker's mission of peace and dialogue for the sake of the Somali people. The alternatives pursued by the TFG will only serve the interest of the Ethiopian regime and thus, will cause an unimaginable damage and destruction to the very country and people the TFG claims to represent.
We appeal to the United Nations, Arab League, African Union, IGAD, and the International Community to support the Speaker's peace mission and to demand the withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces from Somalia in order for the peace talks to resume. We are convinced that no negotiation can produce any meaningful result as long as Somalia is under the threat of external forces and interference.
We urge all Somalis to support the Speaker and the noble mission he undertook in order to thwart a new conflict and mayhem in the country. We plea with the Ethiopian government to reconsider its approach and policy toward Somalia. It is evident, that the continued support of the warlords and the criminals in Somalia not only has caused misery and devastation to Somalia but has not advanced the interest of the Ethiopian government in any positive manner. Hence, allowing peace to take rook in Somalia, will not only benefit Somalia, but will breath a peaceful breeze throughout the region.
