Monday, September 12, 2016
Heads of state from the Horn of Africa are scheduled to meet in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu for the 53rd IGAD summit. But is Somalia ready to host such a meeting?
On Tuesday, the leaders of the member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia and Uganda, will start deliberations on peace, development and the holding of elections in the host country.
Prior to the meeting, Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister Abdusalam Omer Hadliye told the media that the political situation in South Sudan will also be discussed. Then Hadliye pointed out: "It is the first time Somalia hosts such a high-level summit in 30 years. We see it as a historic signal and message to the world that Somalia is coming back."
Various researchers and human rights activists based in Somalia and abroad also describe the meeting as historic. They believe that the capital Mogadishu is ready and able to host this kind of event.
Others feel that Somalia is returning as a political actor in the region, having markedly improved security ever since the current federal government took over in 2012.
Activist Ilwad Elman called on IGAD leaders to pay attention to human rights too
Priority for human rights
A human rights expert of the Somali-based think tank Elman Peace and Human Rights Center, Ilwad Elman, told DW that the hosting of the meeting is not enough: human rights and women issues cannot be ignored. "While Somalia is recovering, we want our leaders to make decisions that will improve the lives of those who have been suffered for long time, like women and minorities," Elman said.
According to the researcher, more women and minorities should be enabled to campaign and be elected. Nevertheless, Elman also sees the IGAD meeting as a positive development: “We are happy that various countries are meeting in Mogadishu. This shows trust in our country and in peace being restored," said Elman.
To help maintain security, the African Union (AU) stationed 22,000 soldiers in Somalia. They are meant to assist the federal government in its war against the terror group Al-Shabaab. Regardless of all progress made, Somali authorities had to beef up security prior to the meeting to ensure safety and prevent terrorist attacks. Security personnel were deployed in sensitive areas and along the roads leading to the capital's airport and to the presidential palace. Police checked vehicles and passersby. They also mounted road blocks in Maka al Mukarama, Sayidka, Zoppe and the Airport Road.
Not at peace yet
But while welcoming recent developments, London-based Chatham House African Program research associate Ahmed Solimon told DW that he doubted the country was at peace.
He noted that the situation remains precarious, as evidenced by the extent of road blocks, closures of business operations and a recent car bomb in the capital. Solimon sees the bloc's leaders as interested in not only ensuring peace and development, but also eager "that free and fair elections" take place.
According to this expert, the summit needs to come up with tangible policies on security, peace and development, including a way to hold free and fair elections in Somalia. "In my view it would be necessary to have a common agreement on the polls that Somalia will soon have," he said.
Elections pending
The country is gearing up for elections to the Lower House of Parliament and will also be choosing a new President on October 30 this year. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud mandate expired on September 10. Parliament is already pressuring him to hand over power.
The IGAD summit will also check on the progress made in preparing for the polls. Media report that at least 14,025 traditional elders will elect the members of parliament in the upcoming election to the Lower House. This is a considerable increase compared to 2012, when only 135 elders participated in choosing all MPs.