Assalaamu
Caleykum Mr. President: We, the members of the Pan-Somali Council for Peace and
Democracy (aka ISRAACA), hereby wish to share both our vision for a new Somalia
and our expectations of the new Somali government. ISRAACA is an advocacy organization
established to promote justice, the de-institutionalization of clanism, equality,
unity, and the peaceful co-existence of the Somali people. It was founded by Somalis
from all walks of life, including professionals, intellectuals and ordinary people
united by a desire to seek viable solutions to the chaotic quagmire that literally
kept Somalia in the dark ages for more than a decade. United
under our banner of ISRAAC (unity) for the Somali people, our members are now
spread across five continents. For the past couple of years, we have held annual
conferences in cities like Toronto, Columbus (Ohio), and Washington, DC. Some
of the issues addressed in those conferences include the future of our nation,
the causes of our national tragedy, the role of the Somali intellectual in the
formation of a new nation, and the involvement of foreign hegemonic forces, be
they neighbors or those reaching from across the seas.
Mr. President, many Somalis were jubilant to learn of your election to the office
of the presidency that was vacant for a decade. Your election as a president is
a tribute to the will and determination of the Somali people to end the painful,
decade-long period of anarchy and rampant disunity in our country. Your election
is a milestone that restores some measure of dignity to Somalia and rekindles
the pride of her people as bona fide members of the global community. As
a symbol of that representation, we acknowledge the choice that the Somali people
have made and congratulate you on your new role as the President of the nation.
Mr. President,
leading Somalia, especially in this hour of need is a burdensome task that will
require rare selfless leadership qualities that will enable one to balance the
often conflicting interests of our people. Many of our members strongly believe
that human rights abuses have been and continue to be a main source of the misery
that plagues Somalia. Make no mistake, Mr. President, without guarantees of basic
human rights for ALL of our citizens, Somalia will remain in its state of despair
and the world will continue to ignore it as weve seen in the recent past. Mr.
President, you have a golden opportunity to rectify Somalia's recent national
mistakes and to set the stage for a sustainable, peaceful and democratic future
for the people of Somalia.
We believe that you were elected partly because of your demonstrated skills to
build bridges and compromise with your counterparts on crucial issues facing our
nation. It is such a skill that we believe will help close psychological gaps
between our people and heal the wounds. To overcome Somalias recent dark history
and to establish a fresh start for our desperate nation, ISRAACA urges you and
your administration to undertake what we believe to be a crucial test of leadership
and a basic requirement for the success of a new and credible Somali administration:
1. Fight clanism
as a basis for national and local political influence and set up a meaningful
timetable to achieve that goal. 2.
Preclude known war criminals from serving in your government in any capacity.
3. Establish
and encourage the development of a war crimes tribunal. 4.
Handle the Somaliland and Puntland issues with sensitivity and seek to resolve
regional issues amicably. 5.
Encourage the uniform development of all of Somalia and promote meritorious appointments
without regard to regional and clan affiliation.
6. Bring accountability to government by establishing an independent governmental
monitoring agency, and help eradicate the prevalent culture of looting government
property. 7)
Work for the orderly transfer of illegally acquired private properties and farm
land to their rightful owners and help eradicate any and all forms of human exploitation
in Somalia. 8)
Reinforce the development of inclusive regional autonomy, and restore the image
of Mogadishu as a city belonging to all Somalis and as a symbol of our nationhood.
9) Promote the
participation of women and minorities in the political, economic, and social affairs.
Mr. President, business for Somalia should NOT be as usual.
This is a new dawn for our nation and we must learn from our past mistakes of
which there are many. We pray to Allah (SWT) that you will be able to make the
right choices that will help Somalia overcome her dark history and allow her to
march into the new millennium as a model nation.
ISRAACA offers its solemn support and expertise to help make this daunting task
possible for you and your government. May
Allah guide us all. Board
of Directors
Mr. Ali A. Fatah, Chair
Dr. Abdinur Sh. Mohamed, Vice Chair
Mr. Abukar
A. Arman, Secretary Mr. Said Salah Ahmed, Co-Treasurer Mr. Mumin A. Barre, Co-Treasurer
Ms. Shamsa B. Ali, Member Dr. AliNuur Mohamed, Member Dr. Abdullahi H. Mahdi,
Member Dr. Hassan Mahadallah, Member Headquarters 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue N.
W. Suite 300 Washington, D.C., 20004 Tel: (202)661-4653 Fax: (202)661-4699 Israaca@lycos.com
Regional Chapters Columbus, Ohio. USA Toronto, Ontario. Canada Washington Metro,
USA | 
