The EU and Somalia are to hold a joint conference in Brussels 13 September to establish a ‘new deal’ for the country, emerging after decades of conflict.

Foreign affairs chief, Cathy Ashton said, “The situation in Somalia has been transformed over the past year. There is now a real atmosphere of activity, emerging governance and hope. It is therefore more important than ever that the international community makes good on its promises of support for the Somali people.”

She added, “This joint event, co-hosted by Somalia and the EU, will establish the “New Deal Compact” as the foundation of the international community and Somalia’s mutual commitment to a three year plan that can deliver peace, security and development to all Somali people.”

The Horn of Africa has been the scene of intensive work to rescue Somalia from chaos, including warlords, Islamist terrorists, pirates, famine and disease.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Somalia’s president is optimistic, “All Somalis must seize this opportunity to galvanise international support to aid our recovery. We have this one chance to ensure that over the next three years we build on the momentum of progress and remove any threat of a return to anarchy and conflict. I hope the world will attend to pledge their support to secure this fast emerging success story.”

The Somali PM also was also hopeful, “We will be going to Brussels with our own plan for development and we expect the full support of the international community, so that Somalia can bounce back from the huge destruction of the civil war.”

Somalia has just completed an eight year transformation period, when there was a peaceful transfer of power to the new federal government in September last year and a provisional constitution is in place.

Substantial problems remain, not least an insurgency campaign by the Shebab Islamist group, said to be connected to al Qaeda, who remain dedicated to replacing the government with a Taliban like rule.

The group recently bombed the Turkish embassy in Mogadishu, although Turkish sources say they may have been a “subcontractor” for others. Turkey has said that the incident will not deflect their humanitarian assistance.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said Turkey’s policy concerning Somalia would not change, “no matter what the risks are.”

Elections are due in 2016.

Source: NEWEUROPE