Mudug Online

The following is the full translated text of His Excellency, President Abdirahman Mahamed Mahamoud's Speech made at the official Puntland conference hall in State House, Garowe.

President Abdirahman Mahamed Mahamoud said;

Appreciations

"Appreciations be to Allah who has re-united us at a time when our land is green with prosperity, a sight that I have not witnessed in a long time, of such lush greenery that I saw in the meadows as I passed above them on the plane. All praise is to Allah the lord of the universe.

Secondly, I give thanks to the Vice-president, the Speaker of Parliament, traditional leaders beginning with Sultan Seyid, the members of the cabinet and parliament, the leaders and the public for welcoming the delegation-that I led back home-warmly from the overseas journey.

On Anti-piracy Efforts

I congratulate you all for the commendable pursuance of duty in our absence, beginning with the campaign against pirates who had initially fled from us, departing for locations in the South Central Zone and areas under our jurisdiction bordering the South like in the district of Gara'ad. They returned with their booty following pressure from other sources in those areas and have been arrested; their properties confiscated and are currently under our custody. The detained pirates include targets of a warrant issued by the UN Security Council.

I appreciate the efforts of the government, the public and the security forces specifically those who implemented the successful anti-piracy operations.

I also extend appreciations to the security forces who carried out the operation that freed the ship laden with commodities for Puntland and Somaliland for freeing the ship peacefully. I regret the death of the ship's captain who was slain by the pirates.

It was the first time that I have heard about pirates killing a hostage aboard a ship. This could be a sign of change in the operational policy of the pirates.

The victory of the Puntland Security Forces in freeing the captured pirates has surprised the world. We informed them of three similar successful raids carried out on pirates by the Puntland Security Forces.

Ships paying ransom do not do so with our recommendations. The governments responsible for those ships and their crews block us from our intervention. We would have intervened in various scenarios but they dissuade our intentions through the payment of ransom seeking to protect their citizens from harm. These actions continue to motivate the acceleration of piracy with hordes of ignorant persons venturing into the seas to capture more ships everyday. We regret these incidences and the lack of support given to us to eradicate piracy and wipe them away from the land.

Despite the prevailing situation, we continue to strive in our efforts to combat piracy. All over the world, the greatest numbers of pirates in custody are in Puntland. Despite this fact, some elements continue to release defamatory reports accusing the government of Puntland of aiding and abetting piracy. These libellous elements conspire with money-oriented individuals in Puntland who seek to make money through dirty channels rather than pursuing a clean living.

I wish to reiterate my appreciations and congratulations to the administration of Puntland especially the security forces for fulfilling their obligations during our absence from the country.

On Massacre in Buhodle and Widhwidh Districts

I deeply regret the incidence that occurred in Buhodle and Widhwidh district of Ein region where innocent civilians lost their lives in cold blood. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones to the horrible massacre. The current government of Somaliland committed a monstrous crime by massacring unarmed and innocent Puntland civilians hailing from Widhwidh district.

We presented the report of the genocide to the Heads of State and delegates who had convened at the Turkey Conference on Somalia in Istanbul. We consider this as a provocation intended to create conflict between the two governments with the intention of promoting subliminal political interests.

We deeply regret the skirmish that occurred between Ethiopia and Puntland where lives were lost on both sides. We hereby convey our condolences and sympathies to the families who lost their relatives and friends to the conflict. We express reservations on the process of conflict mitigation undertaken by the administration of Ethiopia's fifth Province.

We have contacted the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia through the Consular General in Puntland. H.E Brig. Gen. Abdisamad Ali Shire and other members of the government have similarly been in touch with the Ethiopian Government asking them to facilitate the return of the vehicles and property looted from the citizens of Puntland.

A fact-finding mission comprising of a cabinet level delegation will soon be sent to Ethiopia's Fifth province to assess the source and motive behind the conflict. The mission will endeavour to establish the persons responsible for attempting to sow discord aimed at destroying the relationship between the two governments.

On the Istanbul Conference on Somalia

The delegation, as mentioned by the Vice-president of Puntland State , attended a high-level international meeting which was dubbed the Istanbul Conference on Somalia took place from 21-23 May 2010. The purpose of the conference was to defeat the cycle of lawlessness, violence and despair in the country and to build in its place a peaceful and prosperous future for the Somali people. All representatives from Somalia sat on tables labeled with the Somali name.

President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed at the Press Conference presented the overall speech for Somalia. Dr. Farah Ali Jama, the Minister of Finance in Puntland, presented the speech on the development of the private sector who was a participant in the conference.

A minimum of 49 countries took part in the conference, the various organs in the United Nations and International Non-governmental Organizations were present at the conference.

At the end of the conference, President Sharif and I spoke jointly to the agencies and companies who were attending the meeting. The government of Puntland presented various proposals. The construction of Garowe and Bosaso Airports were prioritized as stipulated in the final draft presented by the UN at the end of the conference.

However, we did not stop fundraising after achieving the priorities but continued meeting governmental agencies who took part in the conference like the EU, IGAD and the AU. We also met the Islamic Development Bank, the World Bank, USAID, EU, IGAD and the AU. We also engaged TIKA, which is a Turkish agency that is interested in aiding developing countries. Our meetings were conducted separately with each of the organizations after the conference.

As you are aware, Puntland has specific social and developmental needs. We have much confidence that the results that have been obtained will be of great benefit to Puntland and Somalia in general.

Source: puntland-gov.net