Somalia seeks to unite diaspora returnees and locals
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E-mail Xinhua, June 29, 2017
MOGADISHU, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Somali government on Thursday kicked off a two-day reconciliation conference aimed at forging closer relations between the diaspora and the local Somalis.
The meeting, which is being attended by officials from the federal government and the regional states, academics, local Somalis and diaspora returnees saw participants urge Somalis to pursue peace and reconciliation to help stabilize the country.
In his opening remarks, Mohamed Abdi Abdillahi, HirShabelle Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and Diaspora Relations, emphasized the need to resolve the differences between the diaspora returnees and the locals to stabilize the country.
According to a statement from the AU mission, Abdillahi urged the two groups to abandon false perceptions that cause discord and instead unite in building the country.
Unity and reconciliation of Somalis is one of the key issues President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo promised to pursue after being inaugurated early this year.
According to some participants, individuals born and raised in the country perceive themselves as having more rights than the diaspora returnees, while the latter believe they are better placed to contribute to the peace and stability due to their superior education, experience and exposure.
The locals have also accused the diaspora returnees of taking up most of the plum jobs in government, living them marginalized.
Though acknowledging the differences that exist between the two groups, participants were confident that Somalia will overcome the challenges.
Former deputy mayor of Mogadishu Iman Nur Ikar, who lived abroad before returning to Somalia, urged diaspora returnees and the locals to work together to help the country regain its past glory.
"We will restore the glory of our country by reconciling the diaspora returnees and the locals so that they can learn and benefit from one another," Ikar said. Enditem
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