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Speech |
I am Ali Said
Omar Ibrahim, the chair of the Centre for Peace and
Democracy (CPD), a non profit and non governmental
organization that enhances conflict resolution and peace
building, promotes democratic governance, protects the
sanctity of human rights, provides civic education, raises
community awareness towards HIV/AIDS pandemic and innovates
community-needs-based developmental programs with the full
participation of the targeted local community.
Although the organization currently operates in Somalia, it
has long-term plans to reach the Horn and Eastern Africa
region as a whole through the promotion of democratic
governance and the protection of human rights. CPD stands
for the poor and the powerless by making their voices heard
around the world and through looking for national and
international assistance for them.
CPD was established in September 15th 2003 in Somalia in
response to the years of lawlessness and without effective
central administration in the country which resulted huge
violations of human rights. I have then been elected as the
chairperson of the organization and during the period I was
in the oath of office, I have accomplished to run the
organization in compliance with the bylaws, the
constitution, mission, vision and the strategic plans set by
the board of directors.
During that short period, CPD carried out a number of
activities beneficial to the residents of the organization
geographical coverage area. Through partnering with both
national and international organizations, well wishers and
good hearted individuals and organization CPD successfully
averted massive slaughter confrontations in some parts of
Somalia.
Amongst many, I can mention the cessation of hostilities
project which has been funded by NED USA and implemented by
CPD in Galgadud and south Mudug regions of Somalia. The
program was intended to cease hostilities between two
neighboring clans in the aforementioned area which has been
going on from 2004 to early 2006 and left more than 600
people dead most of them civilians. The confrontation also
left thousands of pastoralists and nomadic families homeless
and forced them flee from areas of pasture and water and
because of that reason the fighting also caused the death of
thousands of livestock and other animals after being denied
access to pasture and water resources.
I am personally and institutionally proud of the impact the
project made after bringing the traditional leaders,
community elders, religious groups, women groups, youth
groups, the militia leaders and the business groups to
formulate ways.
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