Former Somali Foreign Minister Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad has strongly criticized a recent letter sent by the Somali government to the international community, which called for restructuring the current framework of international cooperation with Somalia.
Speaking during a political debate show on Universal Somali TV last night, Ambassador Awad described the letter as embarrassing and indicative of the poor state of governance in the country.
He argued that the letter was poorly drafted and deviated from proper diplomatic language and protocol.
“A Deputy Minister cannot just write a letter, sign it under his name, and declare that the C6 no longer exists. He didn’t create the C6. Those are embassies, representatives of the very governments managing our aid and cooperation. A minister making such statements couldn’t even enter the Halane compound without being cleared by a Ugandan soldier,” Awad said, referencing the highly secured diplomatic zone in Mogadishu.
He went on to note that, at times, foreign embassies seem to show more concern for the well-being of the Somali people than their own leaders.
“What he’s really angry about, and the reason he’s lashing out at the six ambassadors, is because the C6 met with the opposition, spoke with the president and urged him to reconcile with his people, to engage with Jubbaland and Puntland, and not to change the constitution without national consensus. They told him, ‘You’re all Somali, come together and hold hands,’” said Awad.
In conclusion, Ambassador Awad emphasized that Somalia’s problems are rooted in leadership that prioritizes personal interests over the collective good of the Somali people.
