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Video – PM Kheyre says Somalia is “rising”; urges climate reform during UN GA

Somalia’s Prime Minister told the UN General Assembly that “Somalia is rising” from decades of conflict and political dysfunction.

Somalia’s Prime Minister told the UN General Assembly that “Somalia is rising” from decades of conflict and political dysfunction.

While addressing UN General Assembly in New York on Friday, Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre acknowledged that Somalia is still struggling to address serious issues like terrorism, drought and education,  but that “Somalia is rising, and we are determined to stay the chorus”.

He added that Somalia still has much work to do in the areas of security, law and order and political reform.

During his nearly 18 minute speech, the Prime Minister urged the international community to “spare no effort” in the fight against terrorism around the world. He added that the world should “redouble” its efforts in military interventions against terrorist groups.

“Terrorism remains one of our pressing challenges, with its repercussions felt globally. As such, our unity in addressing this scourge, collectively and sustainably, is critical. No effort should be spared in neutralizing the growth and influence of international terrorist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda who as we know, are key influences of localized terrorism.”

Somalia is currently battling Al-Shabab, a militant insurgency with links to Al-Qaeda.

The Prime Minister also used his address to address the issue of climate change, linking its effects to crop failure, extreme weather and depleted water resources. He called on world leaders to continue to improve on the Paris Climate Agreement.

“Somalis and many other countries who are on the receiving end of climate change are unable to find the resources required to tackle this ever-growing problem. In this regard, we urge all member states to continue to improve the Paris Climate Accord Agreement, which has the potential to mitigate the effects of climate change.”

Mr Kheyre also eulogized Abbas Siraji, a young minister who was mistakenly shot and killed in Mogadishu in May 2017.

“The youth are vital to state building, I pay tribute to my late Minister Abbas Siraji, he was a beacon of hope for Somalia’s young people,” Khaire stressed in his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Abbas Siraji was the Minister of Public Works and Reconstruction barely two months when a government soldier who was escorting the auditor general mistook him for a suicide bomber and riddles his car with bullets.

Prime Minister Kheyre reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to establishing institutions that are designed to promote human rights. He pointed to the Sexual Offenses Bill that Somalia hopes will fight impunity of rape offenders. 

He said his administration must find a way to balance Somali traditional resolution mechanisms with a modern legal system while also respecting individual human rights in Somalia.

Finally, he called on UN member states to respect international sovereignty; especially when dealing with “fragile ” states like Somalia. 

“It is a core UN principle for states to respect each others political independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It is a principle that should be promoted and upheld at all times, especially when engaging with fragile state such as Somalia”.

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