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AU Urges Unity Among Somali Leaders

   Peter Clottey 18 May 2010

   A  top official of the African Union is calling for unity among Somali
   leaders  to  resolve the countryâs problems in the face of the ongoing
   power  struggle between President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Prime
   Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke.

   Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed

   Ramtane  Lamamra,  the  continental  bodyâs commissioner for Peace and
   Security,  told VOA the countryâs leaders should not allow the ongoing
   confusion  to  undermine  the  international communityâs confidence in
   Somalia.

   âIt  is important, of course, that they (leaders) could send a message
   of  unity  to  the  rest  of  the world, especially at a time when the
   international  community  is  getting  ready  to  have  this  Istanbul
   conference  on  the  solidarity  and  reconstruction  of Somalia. Itâs
   important  that  this  conference is not disturbed by the news that we
   are getting out of Somalia,â he said.

   Some  observers  say  the  political stalemate casts a shadow over the
   upcoming  international  conference on Somalia scheduled to be held in
   Turkey this weekend.

   This comes after Prime Minister Sharmarke said Tuesday that he will be
   staying  in  power despite President Ahmedâs earlier announcement that
   he would soon be naming a new government.

   Mr.  Sharmarke  was quoted as saying, âI am legally the prime minister
   of  Somalia  and the statement by President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed
   that called for the formation of a new government was regrettable.â

   Commissioner Lamamra urged the leaders to resolve their differences.

   âWe really plead with the parties in Somalia to get their act together
   and  to  find  ways  to build and consolidate political consensus that
   will  help  them  to  move  and to complete transitional period in the
   safest  way  for  the  country at a time when challenges are still out
   there,  and  they  need to be faced with the utmost unity of purpose,â
   Lamamra said.

   President  Ahmedâs  government  has  been  battling  almost daily with
   insurgents, including al-Shabab described by Washington as a terrorist
   organization with strong links to al-Qaida.

   Analysts  say the escalating power struggle between the two leaders is
   empowering   the  hard-line  Islamic  insurgents  who  have  vowed  to
   overthrow the internationally-backed government.

   Commissioner  Lamamra  said  the  insurgents  take  advantage  of  any
   situation.

   âThe insurgents certainly will take advantage of every weakness on the
   part  of the government and on the part of the international community
   to try to score goals if not to try to take control of political power
   in the country,â Lamamra said.

   He also urged the international community to deliver on its logistical
   and financial promises to help Somaliaâs rebuilding efforts.

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