Prime Minister chairs Somalia Development and Reconstruction Facility meeting- “We must demonstrate to Somali people that this is an action orientated Government”
His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed today chaired the second meeting of Somalia Development and Reconstruction Facility (SDRF), saying: “We must demonstrate to the Somali people, and Parliament, that this will be an effective, action orientated Government.”
Following the landmark New Deal Conference in Brussels in September 2013, co-hosted by the Somali Federal Government and the European Union (EU), the Compact serves as the basis and overarching framework for Somali engagement with the international community. The SDRF is the centerpiece of the New Deal partnership designed to coordinate between the Federal Government of Somalia and donors to enhance the delivery and effectiveness of assistance to the Somali people.
Addressing members of the SDRF, the Prime Minister, said:
“The Compact’s opening statement suitably captures the essence of what the New Deal is all about and which we as a Steering Committee should continuously be driven by: ‘A new beginning for a sovereign, secure, democratic united and federal Somalia at peace with itself and the world, and for the benefit of its people’.
“This Government, and its development partners, must have an unwavering conviction that the change articulated in the Compact is achievable and that conviction must be reflected in our actions. We must aim to improve the trust of the Somali people that their government is working for the benefit of its people. We cannot prove this trust by words, it can only be achieved by our actions.
“We have to make progress towards the formation of bottom-up local administrations; we have to build a mechanism that allow our people to have greater confidence in the systems of justice; and together put in order our public finance management.
“The Compact goals and their respective priorities are ambitious, but they accurately reflect the most pressing needs of Somalia over the next three years. The Compact will serve as the foundation for each of my ministry’s immediate and three-year programs. My Cabinet will know in-depth this Compact, and will be held accountable to it, and I assure you all that when we convene as a Cabinet, we will refer to these joint goals and priorities and measure progress towards them. Mechanisms established through the Compact will effectively monitor both Government performances and alignment of donor support to the PSGs.
“To our development partners, I express my gratitude, for working alongside the Government to develop a roadmap, and this Somalia Development and Reconstruction Facility. I have a request – hold us accountable and we will expect the same of your side.”