A/HRC/13/65
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welcomes that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia is personally
inclined to set up the base of his operations in Somalia, in Mogadishu. His office could become
an example for others.
86. It appears to the independent expert that it would be a tremendous psychological boost for
the refugees and the people of Somalia if the Government could announce that it would welcome
qualified refugees now living in camps abroad who return home to help the Government to run
the various affairs of the State. The Somali diaspora is already helping the Government in many
ways, so why not the refugees?
VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS
A. For the Transitional Federal Government
87. The Government has the primary responsibility for providing protection to its
population, despite its limited capacity. The Government must, therefore, ensure relevant
training for all concerned on basic standards of international humanitarian and human
rights laws.
88. The Government’s recent decision to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child
should be turned into law as soon as possible, thus clearly demonstrating the Government’s
political will to follow international standards in this and other fields.
89. The Government has the key role to play in the success of the Somalia peace process.
It has been entrusted by the people of Somalia, through a unique representational process,
to bring the long-standing conflict in Somalia to an end by all possible means, including
thorough negotiations and reconciliation. It is for the Government, therefore, to take the
initiative in making the peace and reconciliation process work. In this respect, the
independent expert welcomes the recent initialling of an agreement ahead of the signing of
the Framework for Cooperation, between the Government and Ahlu Sunnah. This is an
important step in expanding and broadening the scope of dialogue and reconciliation in
Somalia.
90. When it assumed office, the Government inherited a rich reservoir of knowledge and
experience and a large number of lessons learned from all past experiences of peacemaking
in Somalia. These lessons should be identified, made public and used as a guide for the
Government.
91. While most, if not all Somalis, are fiercely attached to their clan identity and wish to
ensure proper clan representation in any future Government set-up, they are also keen to
maintain the territorial integrity of their country and live together in an arrangement that
recognizes local/regional differences and provides for rule of law and good governance. The
Government should therefore focus on securing peoples’ confidence in its efforts in this
regard through strengthening the institutions of rule of law and good governance.
92. To ensure rule of law and good governance, the Government should begin by
removing corrupt, inefficient or uncommitted Government officials and replace them with
dedicated, properly trained and people-friendly officials. The recent change of ill-reputed
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