A/HRC/15/48 international support thereto has at best been lukewarm, the achievements assume more significance. Added to that is the fact that Somalia remains one of the most dangerous places in the world in which to work. So the United Nations staff and those of many other international and local NGOs who have braved the difficult circumstances in Somalia to work there deserve to be especially commended. 64. As the independent expert has stated in his earlier reports, the resolution of the Somali conflict ultimately depends upon the meaningful participation of all Somali citizens in the process of reconciliation and nation–building. A way must be found which would facilitate such participation. In this respect, the independent expert was pleased to see the efforts of NGOs like InterPeace aiming to involve the general Somali public in discussing issues that concern them and to seek their views through a process of participatory action research. It is hoped that more such efforts would be supported by the international community. VI. Recommendations For the parties to the conflict 65. The parties to the Somali conflict must recognize that there can be no military solution to achieving their objectives. There may be occasional victories on the battlefields but these would not last without the support of the people. TFG, the insurgents, the warlords and everyone else concerned must negotiate a political settlement. The insurgents in particular must bear in mind that, contrary to their depiction of TFG, Somali citizens do not consider it to be the agent of the West or as infidels who must be ousted and replaced by an Islamic regime. The people know that not very long ago, members of the present TFG were themselves known as Islamic forces, fighting to oust the former TFG and its allies. Like them they too are supporting the use of sharia law as a foundation for the legislative framework in the country. Islam therefore cannot be a basis for solution of the Somali crisis. 66. Protection of civilians should be a matter of constant focus for all the parties concerned, particularly TFG. Addressing impunity should remain a key human rights concern of the Government. It should cooperate with the United Nations to document/register all ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. It should establish a strong accountability mechanism for the security forces. All the parties should also ensure that no recruitment and use of children in armed conflict takes place under any circumstances. The independent expert welcomes the dialogue that has been initiated between TFG and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in this regard. For TFG 67. TFG should bear in mind that it has been entrusted with the onerous responsibility of steering Somalia through the transition process as foreseen in the Transitional Federal Charter. It must demonstrate through its actions and utterances that it is able to lead the nation towards its declared goals. It should set out a clear vision and make it known to the people that it wishes to establish itself as the Government of the people and for the people and eventually to become a Government by the people. 68. TFG must not use security concerns to explain its inaction in areas where action is feasible. People recognize the security constraints but they do not understand 15