Foreign Affairs Committee on Oct. 31st, 2018

[Mohamed Abdi Affey]

Thank you.

[Raj Saini, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

I'm interested in how your work would align with certain issues that you have no responsibility for. I'll give you an example.

If we take the economy, in 1960, the British and the Italians created Somalia by reducing their land. In 1969, you had a coup. In the 1990s, you had deterioration of the government. In 2007, you had an invasion by Ethiopia. You have two strong federalist states, Puntland and Somaliland.

Your work that you're doing is extremely important. However, within the context of your work—and I know that questions were asked about the institutions—15% of the country is electrified. Sixty per cent of your population are under 25. You have 40% participation in primary school education. You have a 77% external debt obligation to your GDP, and your economy there is less than $20 billion.

How are you going to work under these circumstances? The work that you're doing is extremely important, but you have not only internally displaced people but people who are coming from other countries also—not only Somalis, but Ethiopians and Eritreans.

How, in that context, are you going to make sure that the work you do sustains itself when the economy itself is in trouble?

[Mohamed Abdi Affey]

Honourable member, I agree with you that the challenges in Somalia are massive and difficult, but I'm here also to speak to a great country, a country like Canada and its people, which has been very generous and an important ally. Therefore, I hope that in the efforts to explain this case, we can continue to count on the generosity and the support of the Canadian government and the Canadian parliamentarians.

Above all, being part of the global community, it behooves all of us in the international community to walk this painful path of the Somali people and help them emerge from the difficulties that they continue to face.

[Raj Saini, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

That's why I asked the questions. How can we help? That was my main part of it.

First you have to recognize the problem, and then we have to find the solution.

[Mohamed Abdi Affey]

We require the resources that are needed in the context of Somalia. A country like Canada can make Somalia a priority country for support. Essentially, Somalia would be able to emerge from the curse we are in now if we received the support required to offset the challenges.

Basically what it means is resources in the context of the vulnerable communities like the refugees. Canada has been a lead country in the resettlement of refugees. We have been able to benefit from that generosity, and we appeal for more to be done in the aspect of scholarships, educational facilities and vocational training.

We rely on the Canadian NGOs, the Canadian civil society, the Canadian government and the Canadian private sector to join us in this effort. The challenges are massive, as you know, but I feel that where there is a will, there will be a way, and we can rely on the will of the Canadian people and Parliament.

[Raj Saini, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

I'd like to pass my remaining time to my colleague.

[Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

I have quick questions. What is the illiteracy rate of women in Somalia? I understand it's up over 90%. Is that correct?

[Mohamed Abdi Affey]

That's absolutely correct. Nearly 90% of Somali women are illiterate, and the ones who have been displaced are even more affected.

[Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Here's a second quick question, because we don't have a lot of time. The year 2020 will be the first time when “one person, one vote” elections will be held. It will be a very different way of structuring your legislature.

Canada has a lot of expertise when it comes to election monitoring preparations. We have Elections Canada, an administrative body. Have there been any communications with Elections Canada for expertise, knowledge and help in this process over the next couple of years, a process that will be very difficult and very new for most Somalis?

[Mohamed Abdi Affey]

I think that the Somali government and the Somali people will continue to rely on the support of the international community, including Canada, and that could be a useful engagement. I'm not sure whether there has already been a contact with the Canadian government, but I suppose that in the stabilization efforts of Somalia, Canada is one of the countries that the Somali people continue to rely on for support.

[Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Thank you so much.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Hélène Laverdière]

Thank you very much.

I am very sorry. This vote wasn't planned. We're as surprised as you, if not more.

[Mohamed Abdi Affey]

Thank you for having me here. I was a member of parliament myself, so I understand.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Hélène Laverdière]

Okay, then yes, you know.

Thank you very much.

The meeting is adjourned.