Hiiraan Online
Saturday October 27, 2018
MOGADISHU (HOL) – Foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have reiterated their support to Somali government in the organization’s first conference in the Somali capital on Saturday.
The landmark high-level ministerial meeting by the OIC’s Contact Group on Somalia which gathered representatives from sixteen Member States tried to explore ways and means to further advance Somalia’s national reconciliation, political stability, durable peace and economic development in Somalia which is recovering from decades of civil unrest.
IOpening the conference, Somali prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire has described Somalia’s host for the meeting on the Somali soil was a ‘testimony of the transformation that took place in Somalia’, stressing that the Somali Government is working hard in carrying out reforms in the various institutions.
“As a co-founder and a member of OIC, Somalia takes privilege in declaring that this meeting symbolizes the return of the international community’s engagement to Somalia.” Mr. Khaire said.
“In the past 18 months, we have made a substantial progress in strengthening our country’s statehood through new reforms among them security improvements, inclusive politics and improving in public services delivery.” He noted.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the OIC’s Secretary General Yousef Al Othaimeen, ambassador Hesham Youssef, OIC’s Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, emphasized that the meeting was a testimony of the OIC’s determination to support the efforts of the Somali people as well as the Government as they are resolved to build a new future for their country.
“ Mogadishu will continue to play the role of sensitizing the OIC Member States and the international partners not only on the Somali humanitarian plight but also to support the implementation of the Political Road Map 2020, the Transition Plan and the National Security Architecture of Somalia.” He said.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, OIC’s representatives have called on members states to expand their support to Somalia in various domains.
Mired in violent chaos since 1991, Somalia is struggling to make a quick turnaround in its recovery process. Many countries including the US, UK, Turkey and EU have channeled hundred millions of dollars to assist Somalia in its rebuilding process in recent years.
OIC’s meeting in Somalia comes amid criticism by Somali leaders that have long accused many countries including some in the OIC of falling behind in supporting its efforts to galvanise the international community to boost the country’s recovery process.