Document
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Seoul, Korea,
August 24-27, 2004
1. Somalia has been without an effective, recognised government for the last 13 years. According to UN statistics, as a result of the civil war about 1 million people have died and hundreds of thousands of Somalis have fled to the neighbouring countries, other parts of Africa as well as to Europe and North America.
2. The Inter-Governmental Agency for Development (IGAD) Facilitation Committee under the leadership of Ambassador Betheul Kiplagat, the Moderator of the CCIA, has made substantial contribution to seek a lasting solution to the national crisis of Somalia. The current peace initiative is more inclusive than the pervious one, with participation of all key stakeholders, the warlords and traditional leaders. Somali businessmen who have a major influence both at political and economic levels are also involved. These efforts have been directed towards securing nomination for 275 members of parliament from the Clans and Sub-Clans. Recently, the IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee inaugurated the new Somalia Parliament. After this, as a next step, there will be elections of Speaker, Deputy Speaker and nominations of Prime Minister and Ministers.
The Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches meeting in Seoul from 24-27 August 2004, aware of the major crisis of Somalia:
supports the effort of the IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee as it seeks lasting peace for Somalia;
requests the WCC to share information with the member churches about the current developments on Somalia for the purpose of awareness building, advocacy and assistance for rehabilitation, resettlement and reconciliation;
encourages the WCC to work in collaboration with other civil society groups active in Somalia;
appreciates and encourages the efforts of Ambassador Betheul Kiplagat and the Ministerial Facilitating Commitee and assures them of its support;
calls on the member churches to keep people of Somalia in their prayers.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Seoul, Korea,
August 24-27, 2004
1. Somalia has been without an effective, recognised government for the last 13 years. According to UN statistics, as a result of the civil war about 1 million people have died and hundreds of thousands of Somalis have fled to the neighbouring countries, other parts of Africa as well as to Europe and North America.
2. The Inter-Governmental Agency for Development (IGAD) Facilitation Committee under the leadership of Ambassador Betheul Kiplagat, the Moderator of the CCIA, has made substantial contribution to seek a lasting solution to the national crisis of Somalia. The current peace initiative is more inclusive than the pervious one, with participation of all key stakeholders, the warlords and traditional leaders. Somali businessmen who have a major influence both at political and economic levels are also involved. These efforts have been directed towards securing nomination for 275 members of parliament from the Clans and Sub-Clans. Recently, the IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee inaugurated the new Somalia Parliament. After this, as a next step, there will be elections of Speaker, Deputy Speaker and nominations of Prime Minister and Ministers.
The Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches meeting in Seoul from 24-27 August 2004, aware of the major crisis of Somalia:
supports the effort of the IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee as it seeks lasting peace for Somalia;
requests the WCC to share information with the member churches about the current developments on Somalia for the purpose of awareness building, advocacy and assistance for rehabilitation, resettlement and reconciliation;
encourages the WCC to work in collaboration with other civil society groups active in Somalia;
appreciates and encourages the efforts of Ambassador Betheul Kiplagat and the Ministerial Facilitating Commitee and assures them of its support;
calls on the member churches to keep people of Somalia in their prayers.
