Somalia Report Interviews TFG Speaker Madobe Nunow Mohamed
TFG Speaker Madobe Nunow Mohamed
In an effort to understand the position and goals Somalia's Transitional Federal Parliament, Somalia Report interviewed newly elected speaker Madobe Nunow Mohamed.
Honorable Madobe Nunow, what are your first priorities as speaker of parliament?
As the newly elected speaker of parliament for Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG), I am going to ensure the following steps are implemented which are essential for our government to move forward. I need to change the minds of people in the parliament and they need to understand the following are not acceptable:
--Racism: which is discrimination based on race and giving preferential treatment to one’s own race and was common with previous speakers. As speaker, I promise to eliminate racism which creates animosity and hostility among the TFG lawmakers.
--Tribalism: which also creates ethnic hostility thus hampering national integration of the TFG
--Disrespect for minority rights: the minority in Somalia feel marginalized and not part of the rest of the people. As speaker I believe it is my responsibility to eradicate that so that people in Somalia feel equality and justice in all aspects of life. This will also apply in parliament.
Some dispute you are the legitimate speaker and still support former speaker Sharif Hassan who was fired last December. What can you say about this?
This does not need to say more about it because it is clear that I am the true elected speaker of parliament and Sharif Hassan was replaced by the TFG lawmakers after they said he was not cooperating with them.
Will you stay in your position as speaker?
Yes, I will remain in my office until the expiration date of the government is reached and I expect to continue my job effectively in order to serve my people and my country.
Are you planning to implement the Garowe Accord?
Although I was not a speaker when the accord was signed, I will implement our tasks.
Is your government ready to support Puntland and Galmudug in their anti-piracy efforts?
Yes, the TFG will fully support the semi-autonomous regions of Puntland and Galmudug to flush out the pirates who are undermining the trade between Somalia and rest of the world. We will send well-trained marines to support Puntland and Galmudug.
How is relationship between your government and Kenya and Ethiopia?
The relationship between our neighboring countries of Kenya and Ethiopia is good and it will continue like that because they give support to the TFG to wipe out al-Shabaab. We appreciate their support.
How is the relationship between TFG and the Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa (ASWJ) militia?
There have been some political squabbles between ASWJ and TFG. As speaker of parliament, I am considering this issue and trying my best to solve the differences.
The TFG is accused of interfering the regions under the control of ASWJ are it true?
No, that is propaganda which is spread throughout the media and was intended to hinder the development of TFG. There was one of member of parliament who visited Galgadud region, but ASWJ misunderstood his visit.
Will you attend London Conference on Somalia this month?
Yes, I will attend that conference only if issues important to the Somali people and the country will be discussed. I hope it will be beneficial.
Is there conflict among TFG lawmakers?
Really there is no dispute among members of the parliament right now and they work together in a friendly manner. The political differences were solved and I hope there will not be anymore confrontations in the coming parliament sessions.
TFG parliament speakers are usually accused of misusing public properties. Do you care to comment on that?
I swore in front of the parliament that I will defend my country and will be honest. I will serve all the Somali people without considering their ethnic backgrounds or political beliefs.
Do you have any advice for the TFG lawmakers?
I would like to encourage TFG lawmakers to observe and maintain the solidarity and harmony so as to continue their parliamentary work peacefully.
Honorable Madobe Nunow, thank you for giving Somalia Report this interview.
You are welcome.
