By KEVIN J. KELLEY
Sunday, March 20, 2011
At the same time, Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson was sharply critical of the US-subsidised Transitional Federal Government, suggesting it has acted as a government in name only.
Mr Carson also condemned the Somalia Parliament’s unilateral decision to extend its mandate for three years.
He added that the US is seeking to assist secessionist areas of the country as well as clan groupings that are not associated with the TFG.
Following heavy fighting in recent weeks, the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) now controls up to 70 per cent of Mogadishu, Ambassador Carson said in an interview with allafrica.com.
“One can no longer say, derisively, that only six or seven city blocks are controlled by Amisom forces,” he declared. “But we have been disappointed that the military progress has not been matched by similar political progress on the part of the TFG.”
Somali authorities have not carried out commitments made as part of the Djibouti peace process, Mr Carson said.
He called on the TFG to “become more inclusive and representative of all of Somalia’s important clans and sub-clans and regional groups.”
It must also deliver assistance to Somalis, Mr Carson said. “Where Amisom makes progress in the city, the TFG must also be able to make progress in delivering services.”
“It is important that the TFG be more than a government in name alone,” he declared.
The US has also implied that the TFG is failing to account for donor funds.
In comments to the UN Security Council five days prior to Mr Carson’s interview, US diplomat David Dunn urged the TFG to improve its financial institutions and procedures.