Statement of the United Nations Special Representative for Somalia – Francois Lonseny Fall -  to the IGAD Regional Conference on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nairobi, Kenya, 15 February 2006

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Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to IGAD for organizing this Conference and affording me the privilege of addressing this august gathering on this very important issue. Resolution of the plight of refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) is critical to peace and stability in Somalia and in the region.

2.  This problem has grown out of years of conflict, exacerbated by natural disasters ranging from droughts to floods to the tsunami of December 2004. Continuing disputes over land, grazing and water rights and other resources, have further aggravated the problem. Trafficking of people across borders also affects Somalia as we have seen repeatedly when migrants have died while being smuggled across the Gulf of Aden. The problem of refugees and IDPs in Somalia is a problem of security, a problem of settlement, and a problem of livelihoods. For many, it may also be driven this year by the current drought emergency and inadequate food stocks.

3.  Finding durable solutions to the plight of refugees, returnees and IDPs is a daunting challenge on many levels and the international community is doing its best to meet people’s needs. UNHCR is trying to assist all those refugees and IDPs who are willing and able to return to their home areas. However, these efforts will only help a minority of displaced and vulnerable populations. More effective long-term solutions will have to be found to address the many related problems, ranging from urban management, population reintegration, and the settlement of local disputes, to the issue of asylum. For this, a comprehensive regional approach, involving IGAD and its member governments, is required.

4.  In Somalia however, no long-term solution to problems of refugees, returnees and IDPs is possible without real and sustained progress in the political process. Unfortunately, throughout much of 2005, the Somali Transitional Federal Institutions were at a political impasse which undermined a fragile peace process. Sustained efforts were made the international community, led by the United Nations, and the Somalis themselves, to help bridge differences and jump start the political process. With the signing of the Aden Declaration between the leadership of the Transitional Federal Institutions on 5 January 2006, we achieved the beginning of a breakthrough. I congratulate the Somali leaders on this courageous step for the sake of their people and their country.

5.  A key provision of implementation of the Aden Declaration is the convening later this month of the first session of the Somali Transitional Federal Parliament inside Somalia. The international community is working closely with the leadership of the Transitional Federal Institutions to provide the necessary financial and logistical support for this meeting. I am also pleased to learn that Somali leaders at several levels are involved in reconciliation efforts to prepare the ground for this meeting. They deserve all possible support from us at this critical time.

6.  The holding of the parliamentary session will be only the first step in the resumption of inclusive dialogue and reconciliation aimed at restoring the institutions of state that Somalia has lacked for some 15 years. While the primary responsibility for peace and stability in Somalia rests with the Somalis themselves, IGAD as the chief sponsor of the peace process, has a special responsibility to support and sustain it. I hope that an IGAD Summit will be held soon to review the political situation in Somalia and to consider ways of supporting the TFIs in moving the process forward. IGAD and the rest of the international community must continue to encourage the Somali leadership to work towards effective governance that will create a conducive environment, founded on peace, security, and the rule of law, for the voluntary return of refugees and IDPs.
 
7.  Somalia will require sustained international assistance to facilitate repatriation, reintegration, rehabilitation and reconstruction and find durable solutions to the plight of refugees. UNHCR is taking a lead in coordinating and enhancing partnerships with UN agencies and NGOs, especially through the UNDP/UNHCR-led inter-agency programme for the Reintegration of Returnees and IDPs (RRIDP) and the Joint Needs Assessment, a five-year development plan with the World Bank and the UN development agencies.

8. However, the attainment of durable solutions to the plight of refugees, returnees and IDPs will also require commensurate support. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to appeal to the international community to channel increased funding towards development budgets rather than rely on international refugee budgets alone. By doing so, we can collectively lay the foundation for a sustainable resolution of the problem of refugees, returnees and IDPs.

9. In conclusion, I wish to remind this gathering that the Somali political process is IGAD’s “baby”. IGAD should deploy all necessary means to ensure that the baby reaches the point where it can stand and walk on its own two feet. I encourage IGAD to continue its efforts in this regard. The restoration of peace, reconciliation and stability in Somalia is the necessary condition without which we cannot hope to successfully address the problems of displaced and vulnerable populations.

I thank you for your kind attention.