Press Release

U.S. Gives $1.25 Million USD for Somalia National Reconciliation Congress

Contribution part of over $6 Million USD Development Aid Package

Nairobi, Kenya  | Friday, June 15, 2007

Today, the U.S. Government (USG), through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), signed a two-year development aid agreement for more than $6 million USD with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which includes $1.25 million USD to support Somalia’s upcoming National Reconciliation Congress (NRC). The development aid package, known as the Somalia Governance Capacity Building Program, reaffirms the USG’s strong commitment to support credible and legitimate governance institutions in Somalia, national reconciliation, political dialogue and peace building, and economic development.

“We believe the National Reconciliation Congress represents a historic opportunity for the Somali people to come together to address the issues that have divided them for so many years and to move forward the transitional process,” said U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger. Somalia has experienced 16 years of conflict and chaos, and many failed attempts to achieve peace and stability.  The U.S. and its international partners firmly believe that the Congress will allow Somalia's clans to broaden and establish more inclusive governance structures, and will create a strategy to develop a constitution that will lead to free and fair elections in 2009.   

The U.S. welcomes assurances made by Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) that the Congress will be fully inclusive of all Somalis who renounce violence and extremism, and that it will lead to a process of genuine political dialogue and reconciliation based on the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC).  Therefore, it is vitally important that members of civil society, religious leaders, women's groups, youth, and all segments of society participate in the Congress to plan for and commit to building a better future for all Somalis.

Specifically, USAID will fund the UNDP for a two-year period to:  

Support national reconciliation, political dialogue, and peace building;

1. Strengthen the effectiveness of the TFG to fulfill its mandate under the TFC;
2. Support the establishment and build the capacity of local representative governance institutions across Somalia; and
3. Support mechanisms for coordination of international assistance to Somalia

The Governance Capacity Building Program will work with the TFIs and local governance institutions to promote peace and security in Somalia, and to build the capacity of local governments to facilitate delivery of basic services. USG assistance will promote local economic development by working with local governance institutions, community-led initiatives, and other partnerships.  For more information about USAID’s programs in Somalia, please visit http://eastafrica.usaid.gov.