UAE pledges $2m to aid efforts for Somalia

London: The UAE is proud to support the new Local Stability Fund (for Somalia), through a commitment of $2 million (Dh7.34 million) for its initial operating year, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister, told an international conference on Somalia here on Thursday.

"Funds must follow international commitments to Somalia. In this respect, the UAE is encouraged by the London Conference's work toward realising the Joint Financial Management Board to ensure the effective delivery of international financial support. Providing effective financial auditing support is an important service the international community can further deliver to the Somali people," Shaikh Abdullah said at the London Conference on Somalia.

"After all, it is the people of Somalia who are the greatest victims. Their livelihoods, economic futures and well-being are being systematically deprived by the insecurity that ongoing criminal activities generate.

Therefore, we must ensure that the people of Somalia are placed at the centre of any international and regional strategy of support," Shaikh Abdullah added.

US urges sanctions against peace spoilers

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday for an end to Somalia's "hopeless, bloody conflict" and said anyone blocking recent political reforms aimed at restoring effective government should face sanctions including asset freezes.

Addressing a conference aimed at invigorating international attempts to end two decades of anarchy, Clinton also demanded greater efforts to cut financial support for the Al Qaida-linked Al Shabab militant group fighting the country's weak Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

Al Shabab is the most powerful array of militias spawned by 20 years of conflict in Somalia, where armed groups have a history of wrecking attempted political settlements and perpetuating war, instability and famine.

"The position of the United States is straightforward: Attempts to obstruct progress and maintain the broken status quo will not be tolerated," Clinton told the one-day gathering in London of about 40 African, Arab and Western leaders and government ministers.

Further measures

"We will encourage the international community to impose further sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on people inside and outside the TFG who seek to undermine Somalia's peace and security or to delay or even prevent the political transition."

Clinton and other speakers welcomed a February 17 agreement among Somali leaders on plans for a parliament and constituent assembly to replace the TFG when its mandate expires in August.

Establishing a legitimate successor government seen as inclusive by the country's fractious clans would be a vital step in restoring respect for formal politics among Somalis who tend to identify the state with corruption and brutality.

The TFG got a boost on the eve of the conference when the UN Security Council voted to boost by nearly half an African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, seeking to press home a military offensive against Al Shabab.

The resolution increasing the AMISOM force to 17,731 from 12,000 troops and police passed the council unanimously.

Inputs from WAM and Reuters