Rawlings courts Investors to Somalia

Former President Jerry John Rawlings

Former president Jerry John Rawlings has asked corporate institutions and investors to commit themselves into the peace process in Somalia.

Addressing delegates at the ongoing African Union (AU) and African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) conference in Accra on Monday, the former president who is also the AU High Representative for Somalia said a concerted effort is required from all spheres to bring lasting peace to Somalia.

“Corporate institutions and investors should not wait until peace is achieved before rushing in. We have a responsibility; politically, morally and ethically to contribute towards the peace objective as well,” Mr Rawlings remarked.

The conference is being attended by African Members of Parliament drawn from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) of Somalia. It is under the theme: "The Role of the African Union in support of the Djibouti Peace Process for Somalia."

For the peace building to succeed, Mr Rawlings acknowledged that Somalis would need to lead in the construction of the country's internal structures.

He said since his appointment as the AU High Representative, he has been initiating a number of meetings with leaders both within and outside Somalia to bring lasting peace to a country whose development has been militated by protracted conflicts.

President John Atta Mills opening the conference urged African leaders to collaborate in their efforts to bring peace to Somalia, describing the condition in that country as unfortunate.

“The situation in Somalia is totally unacceptable, indeed it only continues to threaten the peace and stability of the whole of Africa; it is now assuming a more global dimension.”

He called on African leaders not to lose hope in the crusade to redeem the country from its present predicament. “This is the opportunity that we have to ensure that the numerous initiatives are strengthened on the diplomatic and political level as well as regional, continental and international stage.

“And I know with the right mix of cooperation and support we should be able to see some signs of noticeable progress in Somalia.”

The African Union Mission in Somalia is a regional peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union with the approval of the United Nations.

It was created by the African Union's Peace and Security Council on 19th January 2007 with an initial six months mandate.

The principal aim of AMISOM is to provide support to the transitory federal institutions in their stabilisation efforts and in the pursuit of political dialogue and of reconciliation.

AMISOM is also mandated to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and to create the necessary conditions for reconstruction, reconciliation and the sustainable development of Somalia.

Somalia has known no peace since President Mohamed Siad Barre's government collapsed in 1991 as civil war broke out in that country.