He said that the Dadaab refugee camp has 500,000 people which is larger than the third largest city in Kenya. Kenyatta said the situation was “untenable.”

“As a country, we continue to host the largest population of Somalis outside their country,” Uhuru said at Lancaster House during the conference which started yesterday.

Uhuru said that the huge number of refugees posed a security threat to the region. Uhuru reiterated the recent IGAD Summit position calling on the international community to set definite timelines for the return of refugees.

Uhuru acknowledged that securing peace in Somalia was key to their return and emphasized the need for increased international support for AMISOM.

Kenya has provided nearly 5,000 troops for the AU peace-keeping mission in Somalia since October 2011. Uhuru said the Somali refugees will need productive livelihoods when they return home.

“In this regard, we urge the international community, in particular the United Nations, the World Bank and the African Development Bank, to work in concert to help create this environment,” he said.

Uhuru said that he has met Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud twice since taking office four weeks ago. “In particular, I invited President Hassan to Mombasa during which we agreed on a number of important steps that will safeguard our common interest during the post conflict, peace-building and stabilization process,” Uhuru said.

“The successful conclusion of the Transition Roadmap in August last year and the liberation of large territory from the control of Al Shabaab have widened a window of opportunity for lasting peace in Somalia. Somalia is on course, now more than ever, to lasting peace,” the President said. He said various allied forces must be integrated into the new Somali National Security Forces.

“It must also include the orderly reception of Al-Shabaab deserters, their rehabilitation, re-training and integration into the security forces or any other institutions where they will perform productive civilian roles,” he added.

He said that the Kenya government can offer further training to Somali judicial and financial officers including secondment to government institutions in Kenya. British Prime Minister David Cameron called for a long term security plan to end al Shabaab’s reign of terror.

He said that Britain will commit £10 million (Sh1.3billion) to Somalia’s armed forces and £14.5 million (Sh1.8billion) to double the number of police officers and train judges and lawyers.

“Britain will also support the new maritime strategy, enabling full radio connection all along the entire coastline for the first time in 20 years,” the British Prime Minister said. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud appealed for commitment, partnership and support from the international community.

“Under my leadership, we offer the world a legitimate partner you can trust, hard at work to deliver an integrated national security plan; economic reform and new financial management systems; rule of law and judicial reform; and an environment conducive to commercial growth,” the Somali President said.

Source: Star.co.ke

We met at a pivotal moment for Somalia. Last year Somalia’s eight-year transition ended and Somalia chose a new, more legitimate Parliament, President and Government. Security is improving, as Somali and AMISOM forces, and their Ethiopian allies, recover towns and routes from Al Shabaab. The number of pirate attacks committed off the coast of Somalia has drastically reduced. The famine has receded. The diaspora have begun to return. The economy is starting to revive.

But many challenges remain. Al Shabaab is still a threat to peace and security. The constitution is not complete. Piracy and terrorism remain threats. Millions still live in Internally Displaced Persons and refugee camps. The country lacks developed government structures, schools, hospitals, sanitation and other basic services.

The Federal Government of Somalia has set out its plans to address these challenges in its Six Pillar Policy. At the Conference, the international community came together to agree practical measures to support the Federal Government’s plans in three key areas – security, justice and public financial management. The Federal Government presented its vision for the implementation of federalism, the adoption of a permanent constitution and holding of elections. We also agreed to work together to tackle sexual violence in Somalia.

We agreed that partnership between Somalia and the international community would form the basis of our future cooperation: the international community is committed to provide coordinated and sustained support for implementation of the Federal Government’s plans.

Political

We agreed that political progress remains the key to ensuring long-term stability for Somalia. We welcomed the Federal Government’s plans to resolve outstanding constitutional issues, including the sharing of power, resources and revenues between the Federal Government and the regions. We further welcomed the Government’s commitment to hold democratic elections in 2016. We reiterated our support for building capacity in democratic institutions throughout Somalia, beginning with support for local elections in Puntland next month.

We welcomed the dialogue on the future structure of Somalia that has begun between the Federal Government and the regions. We welcomed progress on forming regional administrations and looked forward to the completion of that process. We encouraged the regions to work closely with the Federal Government to form a cohesive national polity consistent with the provisional constitution.

We welcomed the IGAD Extraordinary Summit, held in Addis Ababa on 3 May under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, which agreed a framework for dialogue on regional issues. We looked forward to further progress ahead of a meeting of IGAD in the margins of the African Union Summit in May.

We welcomed the dialogue between the Federal Government and Somaliland at Ankara in April 2013 to clarify their future relationship, building on the meeting at Chevening in June 2012, and welcomed the Ankara communiqué. We expressed our appreciation for the facilitating role played by Turkey.

We welcomed the protection of fundamental rights in the constitution, and the Federal Government’s commitment to uphold human rights, including by establishing an independent National Human Rights Commission. We further welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to protect women and children, and take steps to end the involvement of children in armed conflict. We commended the recent visit of the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict to Somalia, and the plan for a Somali and international team of experts to make recommendations on how sexual violence could be addressed. We agreed on the important role a free and independent media should play in Somalia, and welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the killing of journalists, and to promote press freedom.

Security

We shared the Federal Government’s view that security is the essential prerequisite for further progress in all other spheres. We commended the bravery and commitment of Somali and AMISOM forces, and those fighting alongside them. We expressed appreciation to countries contributing troops and police. We applauded the forces’ successes in freeing towns and routes from Al Shabaab. We reiterated the need for adequate and sustained funding for AMISOM, welcomed partners’ support to date, and called upon new donors to contribute.

We welcomed the Federal Government’s determination to take responsibility for providing Somalia’s security. We welcomed the Government’s plans for national security architecture and for developing its armed forces, including the integration of militias, and police. We welcomed the commitment to ensure that these security structures are accountable, inclusive, proportionate and sustainable; and respect a civilian chain of command, the rule of law, and human rights. We recognised the need for support to help the Government manage disengaged fighters.

We agreed to support implementation of the Federal Government’s security plans including through existing structures. We also agreed to provide assistance which should be coordinated by the Federal Government.

We welcomed the extension of AMISOM’s mandate for a further year in UN Security Council Resolution 2093. We noted the partial suspension of the arms embargo as recognition of political progress, and urged the Federal Government to fulfil its obligations to provide safeguards to protect Somalia’s citizens and neighbours.

We commended the Somalis and international partners for progress made in combating piracy over the last year including the efforts of Puntland and other regional or local governments and welcomed the Federal Government’s Maritime Resource and Security Strategy. We reiterated our determination to work with Somalia to eradicate piracy and other maritime crimes, and expressed our support for the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to establish internationally recognised Somali waters, which will help it protect its abundant maritime resources and revitalise economic activities, as well as end toxic dumping and illegal fishing. We welcomed international support to develop Somali maritime security capacities and looked forward to the UAE conference in Dubai on 11-12 September. We welcomed partners’ continued efforts to bring to justice to those behind piracy and positive, ongoing initiatives in Somalia and the region. We recognized the need for these efforts to be complemented by work on land to generate alternative livelihoods and support communities affected by piracy.

Justice and Policing

We welcomed the Federal Government’s vision for equal access for all to a robust, impartial and effective justice system. We commended its justice action plan setting out immediate priorities for assistance, developed at the National Dialogue on Justice in Mogadishu, and applauded this inclusive dialogue with stakeholders.

We welcomed the Government’s four-year action plan to create an accountable, effective and responsive police service for Somalis. We agreed to align our assistance for both justice and police behind Federal Government plans. We looked forward to the establishment of a Rule of Law Fund, under the leadership of the Federal Government, and invited UNDP and the Federal Government to present the agreed governance and technical arrangements for the fund at the Brussels Conference in September.

We committed to support the Government’s efforts to combat terrorism. An effective and secure criminal justice system, including the establishment and maintenance of prisons administered with respect for human dignity, will be central to Somalia’s ability to tackle terrorism in a human rights-compliant manner and reduce the threat from Al Shabaab in the long-term.

Public Financial Management

The Federal Government set out its determination to tackle corruption, and fund public services. We welcomed the Government’s four-year plan to establish transparent and effective public financial management systems. We encouraged the Federal Government to establish more robust controls through the Ministry of Finance’s operations including public reporting of budgets, expenditure and audits. We committed to coordinate assistance using the structure set out by the Government.

We acknowledged the Government’s financing gap and urgent need for short-term support to pay for salaries and operations while public financial management reforms are underway and until sufficient domestic revenues can be collected. In this context we welcomed the Federal Government’s creation of a Special Financing Facility as an early opportunity for the Federal Government to demonstrate its commitment to financial accountability and transparency.

In line with the outcomes of the G8 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, we welcomed the re-engagement of the International Financial Institutions (the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund), including IMF recognition of the Federal Government and progress made at the Spring Meetings.

We recognised the importance of investment and economic growth to increase domestic revenue. We encouraged investment into Somalia, recognising the important role the diaspora could play.

Rationalisation of Funding

The Federal Government appealed to its international partners to provide funding for Somali national plans. The Federal Government expressed its appreciation for continued bilateral support and asked partners to channel funding through mechanisms agreed with the Federal Government, such as the Special Financing Facility and the Rule of Law Fund, wherever possible. We looked forward to development of a longer term sustainable financing architecture for Somalia including a World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund which will be important on the path to normalisation of Somalia’s financial relationship with the International Financial Institutions.

Stabilisation

We welcomed the Federal Government’s efforts to develop major initiatives on stabilization, including a comprehensive strategy on disengaged fighters, alternative dispute resolution and at-risk youth. The Federal Government appealed for immediate support for stabilisation projects, to enable local administrations to provide services for their people.

Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

We recognised the importance of scaling up efforts to create the conditions for the voluntary return and reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees, in accordance with international law. We praised neighbouring countries for providing protection and assistance for refugees, and agreed to continue supporting them in shouldering this burden. We recognised that the return of refugees and IDPs should take place within a context of increased security conditions and livelihoods opportunities. We endorsed the tripartite dialogue initiated by the Somali and Kenyan governments alongside UNHCR to develop modalities and a framework for safe, orderly, sustainable return and resettlement of Somali refugees on a voluntary basis, and looked forward to the forthcoming conference in Nairobi.

Role of Multilateral Organisations and International Support

We recognised the role of the United Nations and the African Union in Somalia and welcomed their commitment to a strengthened strategic partnership. We underlined the importance of close coordination by both organisations with the Federal Government, other international and regional organisations, and Member States. We welcomed the creation of a new UN Assistance Mission (UNSOM) in Somalia and urged the UN to deploy the mission by the target date of 3 June. We recognised the important role of Somalia’s neighbours in promoting long-term stability in the region, and encouraged IGAD to continue to work to promote dialogue and mutual understanding. We underlined the importance of EU action through its commitments in the fields of security, development and humanitarian aid. We also recognised the role of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Conference.

We recognised the valuable support provided by bilateral partners, and encouraged them to continue their efforts in coordination with others.

We acknowledged that the Somalia Conference was one of a series of events in 2013 aimed at providing international support to Somalia. We looked forward to the planned Special Conference on Somalia on the socio-economic development agenda in the margins of the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) in late May. Taking note of the Federal Government’s commitment to implement the New Deal engagement in fragile states in the form of a Compact, we welcomed Somalia’s efforts to develop an overarching reconstruction plan encompassing Somali priorities on inclusive politics, security, justice, economic foundations, revenue and services. We looked forward to the EU/Somalia Conference in Brussels in September.

Conclusion

The Conference agreed that Somalia had made significant progress. We congratulated all who had made that possible, notably the Somali people, Federal Government, Members of Parliament, civil society and diaspora. We commended the sustained commitment of Somalia’s international partners, and urged continued results-orientated support. We recognised the need to consolidate progress quickly and reiterated our determination to support Somalia over the long-term.

Source: www.gov.uk

While all of this is playing out, the Somali federal government based in Mogadishu has thumbed its nose at what it sees as vain attempts at self-determination by politically toothless regional administrations. While oil splits Somalia one way, it unites the country in other ways. This week, the Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is in the Puntland capital of Garowe, which is the center of Somalia’s controversial oil debate. With funds from Qatar and promises of reconstruction from Turkey, the Somali president hopes to smooth relations with his counterpart in Puntland.

The government in Mogadishu has also serves as a peacemaker between the northern administrations, which had been continuously warring since 2003. For the first time in a decade, there is a Somali leader who sits with both parties as both a reconciliatory agent and an overseer.

Somalia’s peace is very crucial for the Arab league, especially rising star Qatar which is a major shareholder in Royal Dutch Shell plc. Former beneficiaries of Gulf investment, like Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Egypt — are all reeling from intense political disruptions and all-out warfare, and states like Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait are looking south now. As North Africa and the Levant continue to burn, there is a surge of optimism in the troubled Horn of Africa.

At the center of all this commotion is Somalia’s controversial oil deals, which garnered massive traction following Puntland’s first exploration wells in over twenty years in January 2012. For months, there has been an uneasy tension between Mogadishu and Garowe, and now the unease is joined by the administrations of Somaliland, Galmudug, and Jubbaland as all parties race to secure bargaining chips in the future Somalia. Amid these hairsplitting confrontations may be space for compromise come the May 7 Conference on Somalia being held in London.

It is without any doubt that the only reason Somali parties speak to each other today wrests entirely on the energy bargaining chips held by the respective parties involved in the ongoing reconciliation process.

{DN Staff Writers}

DissidentNation.com

The British Embassy in central Mogadishu was forced to shut its doors in 1991 after Mohamed Siad Barre’s government collapsed and Somalia plunged into chronic civil war.

Twenty-two years later, British diplomats are planning a return to Mogadishu.

Foreign Secretary William Hague attended a flag-raising ceremony at the site of a new embassy Thursday.

“I said we would open an embassy as soon as the security situation permitted it,”Hague said. “So it is a sign of confidence in the future that we are opening it.”

The reopening follows major strides made by African Union forces in securing the capital city from al-Shabab militants.

But the peace is tenuous. Just last week al-Shabab attacked a Mogadishu courthouse, killing or wounding dozens of people.

The new embassy sits in the airport compound behind mortar-proof sandbags and heavily guarded by African Union troops.

Hague expects this location to be temporary. “I hope over time this will be an embassy that is able to move into the city itself,” he said.

Matt Baugh, the first British ambassador to Somalia in 21 years, was appointed last February but has been based in neighboring Kenya.

The Foreign Office is expected to soon announce a new ambassador to take up post in Mogadishu when the embassy becomes fully operational in late July.

Other nations are expected to follow the British Embassy’s move from Nairobi to Mogadishu. Turkey, Iran, and Ethiopia have already reopened their embassies in the Somali capital.

On May 7, London will host its second international conference to coordinate the stabilization of Somalia. Prime Minister David Cameron has prioritized Somalia in his role as president of the G8.

VOA.

The SRCC extends his condolences to Mohamed Ibrahim Rageh’s family and friends, to Radio Mogadishu and to the Somali media community. “This is a terrible loss for Somalia,” he said.

He paid tribute to the courage of Somali journalists noting that this is the fourth journalist to be killed this year. Eighteen journalists were killed in Somalia last year.

“The press is a fundamental part of any democracy and must be protected. AMISOM is ready to offer any assistance it can to help the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali National Security Forces put a stop to these heinous attacks,” he added.

Rage is the fourth journalist killed in Somalia this year alone where by 18 journalists were killed last year in Somalia.

Journalists have become easy targets for millitiamen and Islamists in Somalia with the government in power doing nothing to stop the planned killings against journalists.

No one has claimed yet the responsibility fo the killing of Rage but all fingers are already pointed att the Somali radical organization of Alshabab who have already claimed the responsibility of the killings of many journalists and important people in the community.

Baidoa media.

“I want to declare that the government of Somalia is now on a new stage of fight against anti-peace elements in our country,” he said after an urgent late-night meeting on Sunday with the National Security Committee.

“The Somali people should take their role in this new operation to eliminate al-Shabaab,” he said, calling on citizens to help security forces in their efforts to arrest al-Shabaab members in hiding.

Mohamud said al-Shabaab was not just fighting the government and the security forces, but was engaged in a battle with all humankind, especially Somalis.

“To Somali people, you must bear in mind that these groups are not Muslims; they are the enemy of the Muslims, they are the enemy of Allah because they are killing his creatures without any reason,” he said.

While most of the regions of Somalia under the government of Somalia, there is no development and many of the young generation those who live in the regions far from the capital have no any jobs , due to this reason, many young people go to Mogadishu to find a job or a better place to live, on the other hand approximately hundreds of Youngman come to Mogadishu daily to find jobs so this has caused Mogadishu to become overcrowded place where everyone can do whatever he want without any fear from the state police, for example south west Somali region and central regions of Somalia most of these are controlled by the government forces but most of the government officials don’t talk about these kind of issues.

Still no lessons learnt from the history that’s the previous governments of Somalia do the same thing  that the current government of Somalia doing recently ,for instance the Muhammad said barre  government also give full priority to build Mogadishu and all the universities were only found in the capital  and a quarter of the population of Somalia used to live in the capital city of Mogadishu so after starting chaos and instability in Somalia in the mid 1990s, suddenly the first gun fire was heard in Mogadishu and this has caused Somalia to collapse immediately so now when you compare the situation from the past you will see similarities in terms of giving Mogadishu full priority while no one give full attention to the rest of the county so Somalia is like a whole body if Mogadishu is the head of Somalia so the rest of the Somalia are legs so man cannot walk without legs ,  with regard to this argument the government of Somalia must give equal rights to the regions of Somalia regardless of their status .

No one is denying that Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia and at the same time no one is against the current development of Somalia and its progress and it goes without saying that the capital needs special attention when compared to the rest of the Somali regions but in my article the main purpose is to shed light some important highlights and government strategies towards the rest of the regions.

For instance, In Bay Region, Bakool, Hiiran. Middle Shabelle, lower Shabelle, Gedo region and many other regions in south central Somalia,  there are many young man who are unemployed  so these young man if they don’t find job or satisfied their status quo then those young man will then decide mostly to go to Mogadishu in order to get a job on the other contrary if they don’t get job then they will simply join criminal organizations whatever they are , with regard to this issue I am suggesting that the government of Somalia should also focus the development of those regions of which I mentioned above in order to introduce peace and instability in the capital  and although current government of Somalia don’t have the  capacity to create jobs but at least the government can divvy some  cabinets  or the speaker of  the parliament to the other regions in order to increase the power of the government. in other words the fruits of government yet to reach across Somalia and the government must showcase stronger in establishing a safe and security environment in all government held provinces and towns in the country on the other hand, the government should support and sustain its bridgehead in all regions under its control and therefore vouch the progress in these areas.

Sitting Mogadishu and meet international community’s there, will not bring an overall progress of the country as this may not work in Somalia given in its complexity in other words those who live far from Mogadishu do not feel the sense of government therefore the fruits of government must reach every corner of Somalia and people must feel a sense of government hence the government should come up an strategic policy to reduce those who come to Mogadishu and live there without any relatives as these young man could fall in the wrong hands thus by creating chaos and violence in Mogadishu and in addition to that they feel that no one cares them similarly  in order to survive these young man can do everything  including criminal activities  in other words to introduce peace and stability in Mogadishu it depends on the other regions as well to become stable that’s for instance if you live in a glass house and your neighbor children throwing stones at each other, surely you will feel vulnerable to the stone therefore the full expression is that the government  should give priority and promote security to the rest  of the country in order to bring stable in the capital city of Somalia as a whole.

In conclusion, I would recommend that the government should prioritize on the creation of incentive issues that can settle the problematic challenges faced by these young men, most probably in the areas of education, job opportunities and more importantly, should some of the senior government officials make their bases in the regions, these young generation may remain in these provinces. To make these strategies work well, the government should focus on hiring these youngsters into its offices and also the government should let the international agencies and NGOs and other humanitarian agencies relocate into these regions so that regional development would be quite sustainable therefore, the government should redistribute the development projects, for instance Turkey development projects, among other regions.

By; Isaaq Abdi Abdulahi

isaaqsom@gmail.com

yarow05 (twitter)

MA (ECONOMICS) AT UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI

MPHIL in (Management Science) at Biztek University. Karachi, Pakistan

Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said the presence of foreign fighters during Sunday’s two-hour assault on the Supreme Court complex showed that the attack was international in nature. He ordered an investigation into the attack, which included six suicide

bombings and two car bombs.

The Somali militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the two-hour barrage. Al-Qaida announced a merger with al-Shabab early last year, but the group has been plagued by internal tensions between nationalist Somali fighters and foreign fighters.

Most of al-Shabab’s recent bomb attacks have been small and ineffective. Sunday’s was far deadlier than normal.

“We are concerned about the foreign involvement in this attack and this is why we are working so hard with our international partners on security and intelligence sharing. Once again we see that terrorism is an international problem,” Shirdon said in a statement.

Shirdon did not specify the nationalities of the foreign fighters.

The death toll has risen to 35, including the nine attackers, according to a member of parliament. The prime minister said 29 died; it wasn’t clear if that total included the attackers.

Al-Shabab boasts several hundred foreign fighters, including those with from the Middle East with experience in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Al-Shabab also recruits fighters from Somali communities in the United States and Europe.

Two Western officials who spoke to The Associated Press suggested that Sunday’s attack may have had broader participation by al-Qaida fighters than more recent suicide bombings in Mogadishu.

One official said the explosive devices were more sophisticated – and numerous – than normal, while a second official said there are signs that al-Qaida is trying to assert itself in Somalia more than in the past. Both officials work on Somalia issues but both demanded anonymity because neither was authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Dahir Amin Jesow, a Somali legislator who heads a security committee in parliament, said Monday that the death toll stood at 35 and that it could rise even further because of the number of wounded. The interior minister said Sunday that nine attackers died, including six who detonated suicide vests.

Shirdon said the victims would be honoured with a state funeral.

Al-Shabab once controlled almost all of Mogadishu. African Union and Somali forces pushed the militants out of the city in 2011, but the fighters have continued to carry out bomb attacks.

Inside Madina Hospital on Monday, bleary-eyed nurses walked from room to room to assist the wounded. Nurse Amal Abdi said he has been up since Sunday to attend to victims.

“There are many horrific wounds in the hospital, so there’s no time for rest for us,” Abdi said as she pushed a wounded man on a stretcher into an operating room.

One of the survivors from Sunday’s barrage was the country’s chief justice, who stepped out of the besieged court complex and angrily yelled at soldiers, according to an AP reporter who witnessed the exchange. The country’s deputy attorney general was not so lucky.

“I was sitting in my office when the men entered and started fighting and killing,” said Sheikh Hassan Abdinur, the deputy attorney general, who lay in a hospital bed Monday with bandages on his stomach and hands and a tube connected to his nose. “It was beyond my imagination. There is no safe place.”

Abdirashid Hashi, the deputy director of the Mogadishu-based Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, said the attack shows that al-Shabab can strike the government at will and that the group can come quite close to “decapitating” a vital government arm. The Supreme Court was in session when the attack occurred.

The attack “will force the government to revisit its priorities,” Hashi said by email. “Because if it fails to provide security to the citizens in the capital, it will have difficulties justifying its demands in extending its writ to other parts of the country.”

Hashi noted that Somalia’s intelligence agency and foreign governments had predicted a major al-Shabab attack. Britain’s Foreign Office released a statement on Friday saying it believed a terror attack was imminent.

Mogadishu, a seaside capital with whitewashed buildings and pristine beaches, is recovering from decades of war that left the city largely in ruins. Government troops – former militia members – have played a key part in ousting militants from towns near Mogadishu.

But the militants continue to carry out a steady stream of insurgent attacks. In mid-March an al-Shabab suicide car bomber rammed his vehicle into a civilian bus near a convoy carrying Mogadishu’s intelligence chief. Seven people died; the intelligence chief was wounded.

Earlier in March a suicide bomber detonated explosives inside a seaside restaurant, killing himself and one diner. A similar attack in February killed only the bomber.

“They are inhumane,” Nurto Abdi, a mother whose son’s legs were seriously wounded by shrapnel in Sunday’s attack, said as she sat close by him. “The so-called national army always gives them the chance. They must declare it publicly if they cannot protect us, because even civilians are legitimate targets now.”