Recognition of Somalia

U.S. Recognition of Somalia in 2013

United States views on international law [1] in relation to U.S. Recognition of Somalia: On January 17, 2013, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton received the president of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, at the U.S. Department of State. The Somali president traveled with a delegation from the new Somali government to meet with several U.S. government officials and for the announcement that the United States recognizes the government of Somalia for the first time since 1991. A State Department media note, available at (Secretary of State website) state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/01/202997.htm, and excerpted below, summarizes the changes in Somalia leading up to the U.S. decision to recognize its government.

Some Aspects of U.S. Recognition of Somalia

In 2012, after more than a decade of transitional governments, Somalia completed its political transition process. This culminated in a new provisional constitution, a new parliament, and the election by that parliament of Mr. Hassan Sheikh as Somalia's president. In recognizing the Government of Somalia, the United States is committing to sustained diplomatic engagement with the Somali authorities. While we maintain responsibility for U.S. engagement in Somalia through our personnel in the Somalia Unit, led by Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, and co-located with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, we have increased our travel to Somalia over the last six months and plan to establish an even more robust presence there as security permits. In addition, recognition removes an obstacle to Somali participation in certain foreign assistance programs, including security sector programs like International Military and Education Training and Foreign Military Financing.

Developments

Somalia's long road to representative and accountable government has not ended. We applaud President Hassan Sheikh's commitment to inclusive governance and call on Somalia's new leaders to continue the reform effort and work together to create a better future for all Somalis. We will continue to help the new government strengthen democratic institutions, improve stability and security, and improve its ability to provide services to its citizens.

Details

Secretary Clinton's remarks with President Mohamud after their meeting on January 17, 2013 are excerpted below and available in full at (Secretary of State website) state.gov/secretary/20092013clinton/rm/2013/01/202998.htm.

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… Today's meeting has been a long time in the making. Four years ago, at the start of the Obama Administration, Somalia was, in many ways, a different country than it is today. The people and leaders of Somalia have fought and sacrificed to bring greater stability, security, and peace to their nation.

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There is still a long way to go and many challenges to confront, but we have seen a new foundation for that better future being laid. And today, we are taking an important step toward that future. I am delighted to announce that for the first time since 1991, the United States is recognizing the Government of Somalia.

U.S. Recognition of Somalia in 2013 (Continuation)

United States views on international law [1] in relation to U.S. Recognition of Somalia: Now before I talk about what comes next for this partnership, it is worth taking a moment to remember how we got here and how far we have come together. When I entered the State Department in January 2009, al-Shabaab controlled most of Mogadishu and south and central Somalia. It looked at the time like it would even gain more territory. The people of Somalia had already endured many years of violence and isolation, and we wanted to change that. We wanted to work together, not only with the people of Somalia but with governments across the region, the international community, and other likeminded friends.

More about U.S. Recognition of Somalia

In early 2009, the final Transitional Federal Government began its work. Somali security forces, supported by the African Union Mission in Somalia, and troops from Uganda and Burundi and now Kenya and Djibouti began to drive al-Shabaab out of cities and towns. Humanitarian aid finally began getting to the people in need. Local governments resumed their work. Commerce and travel began to pick up. Now progress was halting at times, but it was unmistakable. And today, thanks to the extraordinary partnership between the leaders and people of Somalia, with international supporters, al-Shabaab has been driven from Mogadishu and every other major city in Somalia.

Development

While this fight was going on, at the same time, Somalia's leaders worked to create a functioning democratic government. Now that process, too, was quite challenging. But today, for the first time in two decades, this country has a representative government with a new president, a new parliament, a new prime minister, and a new constitution. Somalia's leaders are well aware of the work that lies ahead of them, and that it will be hard work. But they have entered into this important mission with a level of commitment that we find admirable.

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So Somalia has the chance to write a new chapter. When Assistant Secretary Carson visited Mogadishu in June, the first U.S. Assistant Secretary to do so in more than 20 years, and when Under Secretary Sherman visited a few months ago, they discovered a new sense of optimism and opportunity. Now we want to translate that into lasting progress.

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Somalia's transformation was achieved first and foremost by the people and leaders of Somalia, backed by strong, African-led support. We also want to thank the African Union, which deserves a great deal of credit for Somalia's success. The United States was proud to support this effort. We provided more than 0 million in assistance to the African Union Mission in Somalia, more than 130 million to Somalia's security forces. In the past two years, we've given nearly 0 million in emergency humanitarian assistance and more than million in development-related assistance to help rebuild Somalia's economy. And we have provided more than 0 million throughout the Horn of Africa for Somali refugee assistance.

Resources

Notes

1. U.s. Recognition of Somalia in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law

Resources

Notes

1. U.s. Recognition of Somalia in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law