October 19, 2011
Concerned Somali Diaspora
P.O. Box 11851
Alexandria, VA 22312
USA
H. E. Ban Ki Moon
United Nations Secretary General
760 United Nations Plaza
New York, 10017, USA
Fax: 212 963-7055
RE: THE KENYAN ARMY’S ILLEGAL INVASION OF SOMALIA
Your Excellency,
We, the undersigned members of Concerned Somalis in the Diaspora and inside Somalia, are deeply concerned and troubled by the illegal incursion of Kenyan army into Somali territory. We believe Kenya is in violation of non-intervention and non-interference clause of the UN charter, and is in breach of Somalia’s sovereignty and internal affairs. The invasion of Kenyan army into Somalia on October 17, 2011 is wrong, unjustified and is similar to the invasion of Ethiopian army in Somalia back in December 2006 where Somalis rallied around Al-Shabaab to defeat Ethiopia. Kenya’s current invasion could potentially result suffering and unnecessary death of many more Somalis and will displace and cause yet another Somali exodus with undetermined consequences.
Regrettably, without regard of international humanitarian laws Kenyan Army decided to invade Southern Somalia at a time when the people of lower Juba are struggling to overcome the effect of ongoing famine. We do not want to see any more Somali lives lost as a result of this illegal Kenyan invasion, thus we ask the International Community to join us in condemning the incursion of Kenyan Army into Southern Somalia in the strongest terms.
With a false pretext of fighting the extremist group Al-Shabaab, Kenyan army crossed the border into Somalia for 100 kilometers as confirmed in a press release by Kenya’s Foreign Minister Mr. Moses Wetangula. This never-ending military adventures and political meddling in Somalia by neighboring countries are clear violations of international laws and in particular Article 2 (4) of the UN Charter, which states “All members shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or the political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purpose of the United Nations”. In this context, we request the international community to act in unison by denouncing Kenya army’s blatant aggression of Somalia’s sovereignty.
Your Excellency,
We, the Somali people, envision resolving Somali conflict by peaceful means and advocate Somali owned conflict resolutions is the best way forward. We see Kenya's illegal self-serving approach at the expense of Somali lives and sovereignty as counter-productive and clear violation of international laws. We expect the International Community to halt Kenya's treacherous and unilateral attack since this reckless approach could aid the resurgence of Al-Shabaab and prolong Somalia's conflict. This invasion is not in the interest of Somalis as Al-Shabaab has been losing recent battles fought against TFG and AMISOM. In this context, it can be argued that Kenya’s heedless measures are not intended to defeat Al-Shabaab but to resuscitate and legitimize them, so that the destabilization of Somalia continues unabatedly. It is our opinion that this aggression embodies Kenya’s intension to create buffer zones in Somalia or perhaps to annex parts of Somalia’s southern coastal territories – an idea rejected by the U.S. Department of State – as revealed by U.S. diplomatic cables.
Your Excellency,
We, the undersigned members of Concerned Somalis in the Diaspora with roots across Somalia, including activists, educators, and professionals request from the UN General Assembly, the UN Security Council, and the International Community to:
· Denounce the Kenya’s illegal invasion of Somalia as such a unilateral action violates the inherent right of a sovereign and an independent member state,
· Assist the Somali people in “owning” the necessary means and solutions to our country’s conflict,
· Respect the spirit of self-determination and the aspiration of the Somali people to defeat Al-Shabaab on our own terms without external involvements,
· Send a Fact-Finding Mission, headed by neutral observers, to assess the violations and the extent of Kenya’s military incursion in Southern Somalia,
· Demand immediately the unconditional withdrawal of the Kenyan forces from Somali soil.
Sincerely,
List of Signatures:
1 Eng. Mahmoud Dahir Virginia, USA
2 Abdirizak O. Mohamed, Ontario, Canada
3 Eng. Ali Omar, North Carolina, USA
4 Avv. Issa Ahmed Warsame London, UK
5 Mohamud Uluso, Michigan, USA
6 Abdulaziz Hagi Mohamed Hussein
7 Eng. Ismail Osman Ohio, USA
8 Mahad Yusuf Sheekh Toronto, Canada
9 Mohamed H. Hassan “Gudbaaye” Minnesota, USA
10 Basto Ahmed, Virginia, USA
11 Hassan Warsame, Virginia, USA
12 Omar M. Abdulle, London, UK
13 Mohamed Ali Hassan Washington DC, USA
14 Abubacar Mahamed Alpha, Virginia, USA
15 Mohamoud A Gaildon, Green Bay, WI
16 Mariam Gulid, Abu Dhabi, UAE
17 Ali Omar Ghedi Mogadishu, Somalia
18 Hussein Warsame, Virginia, USA
19 Ali Said Haji Aliyow, Melbourne, Australia
20 Eng. Mohamud Ali Mohamed, London, UK
21 Nour Omar, Dallas, Texas
22 Farhia Bashir Nur, Virginia, USA
22 Axmednur Sh. Cali Virginia, USA
24 Abdikani Raghe barrow Ottawa, Canada
25 Ilyas hayuke Seattle, Washington USA
26 AliNur Hussein Bodaye, Toronto, Canada
27 Amira Addawe Minnesota, USA
28 Abdulkadir Ali Abdi, Ohio, USA
29 Abdirahman Abdulle Siad Toronto, Canada
30 Dr. Ali M. Tofow, London, UK
31 Khadafi O. Mohamed Manchester, UK
32 Mohamed Ali Aden Ontario, Canada
33 Fadumo Awow Mohamed, Ontario, Canada
34 Hassan, Ahmed, Ontario, Canada
35 Mohamed M. Makaraan Ohio, USA
36 Said Mohamed (Gaab) Ontario, Canada
37 Abdi Dirshe, Ontario, Canada
38 Khadija D. Hassan, Ontario, Canada
39 Musse A. Abdimah, Virginia, USA
40 Prof. Hassan Mohamud (Jaamici), Minnesota, USA
41 Mohamud Yussuf Makis Seattle, WA
42 Mohamed Ali Hassan
43 Eyni I. Wehliye, Virginia, USA
44 Abukar M. Dahie, Virginia, USA
45 Mohamed M. Abikar, Virginia, USA
46 Mohamed Abshir Virginia, USA
47 Ahmed Mohamed Virginia, USA
48 Faisal M. Abdi, Virginia, USA
49 Abdiqani Abdullahi, Virginia, USA
50 Ahmed Hassan, Virginia, USA
51 Mohamud Gacal Ali, Virginia, USA
52 Salad Nur Abdi, Ottawa, Canada
53 Sahra Mohamed Elmi, Toronto, Canada
54 Abdulkadir Sheikh Ali, Ontario, Canada
55 Fardowsa Mohamed, Stockholm, Sweden
56 Saida D. Mohamed, Toronto, Canada
57 Dahir M. Hassan, Toronto, Canada
58 Habiba Ali Aden, Toronto, Canada
59 Suad D. Hassan, Seattle, WA
60 Sahra Musse, Minnesota, USA
61 Kassim Busuri, Minnesota, USA
62 Abdiaziz Omar Wehliye, Virginia, USA
63 Abdulkadir Abukar, Virginia, USA
64 Muhidin Hassan Islaw, Virginia, USA
65 Abdullahi Yussuf Abdalla, Virginia, USA
66 Mohamed A. Osman, Columbus, Ohio
67 Dr. Ali Said Faqi, Michigan, USA
68 Abdulkadir Jama, Seattle, WA
69 Ahmed Moose, Virginia, USA
70 Mohamed Gilao “Tennis”, Toronto Ontario
71 Mohamed A. Gure Stockholm, Sweden
72 Mohamed Y. Hassan London, UK
73 Ali Gedi Farah Ontario, Canada
74 Muse Abdi Muse, Alberta, Canada
75 Hawa Abdi Yusuf, Cairo, Egypt
76 Mohamed Abdillahi Birmingham, UK
77 Abdirizak Farah Manchester, UK
78 Mohamed Abdirizak Ontario Canada
79 Farhia Haji Omar Stockholm, Sweden
80 Abdullahi Farah Ahmed Toronto, Canada