More than 180 members of the Somali civil society, consisting of Somali civic actors, diaspora groups and business leaders, gathered in Mombasa between the 7 December, 2009, and adopted the following Principles of Peace.

th and 11th of

I. Terror shall never be used as political means

Terrorizing civilians shall never be justified as a political vehicle to advance a political

agenda at the cost of the Somali people. Radicalization is neither part of the Somali

culture and tradition nor their way of life.

II. Security is a right, not a privilege

Public safety and individual security are rights not privileges. A citizen’s life, liberty and

freedom of expression shall not be infringed upon.

III. Islamic Sharia shall be a source of laws

The Islamic law has been a towering moral authority among the Somali public, and thus

shall be a source of the law of the country, complimented by international legal

obligations, including but not limited to International Human Rights Law and the Geneva

Convention.

IV. Strengthening existing institutions

In order to end the state of the permanent transition in Somalia, existing institutions

achieved through local and regional efforts should be recognized, preserved and built

upon.

V. A paramount need for leadership

The Somali people shall nurture a leadership based on a vision that can inspire change, in

order to end the state of a permanent transition.

VI. A need for a government that embodies national vision

The Somali government shall be inclusive, democratic, competent, accountable and

above all, reflective of a national vision, that enables building the capacity of transitional

institutions that are vital for the healthy recovery process.

VII. Unhindered access to the delivery of humanitarian efforts

The “slow genocide” of the Somali people in the country and outside is intolerable: to

protect the sanctity of life, and to assist the vulnerable, all parties should provide

unhindered access to the delivery of humanitarian efforts by both local and international

organizations.

VIII. Protection of the environment for sustainable livelihoods

Exploitation of Somali natural resources (such as charcoal production, over-grazing, toxic

dumping and over-fishing) endangers the Somali people’s future. Protection of the

environment should be prioritised by all stakeholders in order to ensure sustainable

livelihoods.

IX. Ending the culture of misappropriating public funds

Funds intended for the transitional institutions or other groups should never be

misappropriated, mismanaged or misused for unintended purposes.

X. International community should commit to systems, not individuals

The international community should not anoint individuals over institutions. It should

support priorities identified by the Somali people. Relocation of “exiled” internationallysupported

Somali programs back to Somalia should be addressed within the framework

of an active international policy change towards Somalia.

XI. Accountability for human rights abusers

Those responsible for heinous crimes shall be held accountable for their actions. The

international community shall assist the Somali people in ending the culture of impunity.

XII. The sanctity of the Somali culture

The Somali culture, including poetry, music, literature and language is an essential part of

our national identity. Therefore, it shall be protected, and shall never be infringed upon.

Done on 11 December 2009

Mombasa, Kenya