As we are all aware the UN, through its representative Augustine Mahiga are involved in a finding a lasting solution to the political crisis in Somalia, through intense diplomatic and political facilitation on their part.As the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Mr Mahiga should not only concentrate on Somaliland and Puntland,but should also get involved in engaging emerging regional administrations like Khaatumo State,which have been created through the will of the people of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC) Regions of Northern Somalia.

The UN and the TFG cannot just turn a blind eye to the Taleh Conference where representatives of all sectors of society including intellectuals, politicians, religious and traditional elders, businesspeople, women and youth, from SSC regions unanimously voted to establish their own regional administration, separate from Puntland and Somaliland.

The UN and the TFG should also condemn the naked aggression of Somaliland against the people of Khaatumo State where Somaliland’s’s tribal janjaweed militia attacked and massacred the sleeping residents of Buuhoodle Town. The UN is obliged to protect innocent civilians who have died because of supporting the TFG government and their own regional administration of Khaatumo state, but it has sadly been quiet on this.

The TFG and Puntland administrations have both condemned the massacre of civilians in Buuhoodle by the Somaliland militia ,and I wonder why the UN has been silent on this issue. The Security Council needs to send a strong signal that these continuous attacks on civilians will no longer be tolerated and Siilaanyo should be prosecuted before the ICC. I call upon the The international community to intervene in the creeping genocide that is being perpetrated by Somaliland against the people of SSC.

We are all aware that the UN and the TFG have been paralysed in responding to the constant genocide being carried out by Somaliland against the peaceloving people of Khaatumo State. Khaatumo State needs the deployment of the TFG, and the UN in the region, since Khaatumo State recognizes the TFG as the sole legitimate authority in Somalia, to work together with the regional authority to help stabilize the region.

Khaatumo State is commited to political reach out, reconciliation, security, good governance and a new political dispensation under a united, federal Somali Government and should be included in the roadmap on ending the transition period of the TFG. We know that the UN is striving to achieve its goal for all local, regional and clan based administrations across the whole of Somalia to engage with the TFG on an inclusive process to define the framework of the future political dispensation, based on agreed principles derived from the Somali constitution making process.

Khaatumo State wants to ensure that the unity and stability of the TFG government by enhancing UNPOS political interaction on the ground between the TFG, and Khaatumo State. The key to the restoration of durable peace and security in Somalia rests with the establishment of functional regional bodies which support the TFG.Khaatumo State supports the UN strategy to broaden political outreach to regional and local administrations outside Mogadishu.

Khaatumo State is determined to take control of its own destinies in a similar way to Somaliland and Puntland. It therefore needs to be engaged not just by the International Community in their dual track approach, but also by the TFG in order to seek a broader acceptance of the Draft Constitution which is under discussion now. Dialogue with Khaatumo State is an excellent way of reaching out to the wider Somalia and and I am confident that the UN and the TFG will support talks between regions and groups who wish to follow the path of peace and reconciliation.

I am aware that UNPOS has prepared an overall political and civilian strategy for Somalia with a priority focus on broadening the political base for reconciliation reaching out to regional and local administrations, institution capacity building, enhancing TFG legitimacy, constitutional consultations and formation of successor political arrangements. I urge the UN and the TFG to engage the autonomous administrations of Khaatumo State, and to deploy a political coordinator to the Administration.

Khaatumo State advocates progress in the political peace process, security, reconstruction, development and humanitarian pillars. The state needs provision of basic services including the provision of food, sanitation and clean drinking water. It also needs rehabilitation and effective operationalisation of most of the hospitals and medical facilities, and the reopening of educational institutions. It needs above all, an economic strategy to generate incomes and employment and a way of weaning Somali youth away from the conflict and to divert their energies towards more productive activities.

Finally I would request all stakeholders and partners of the TFG in the international community and regional actors such as the African Union, IGAD, the European Union, the League of Arab States and individual member states to support Khaatumo state of Somalia and to engage the new administration in a partnership to achieve peace, stability, recovery and development in Somalia.

Mohamoud Jama