African Union / Communique of the 190th meeting of the peace and security council
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 25, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 190th meeting
held on 22 May 2009, considered the situation in Somalia in light of the outcome of the
33rd Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers on the security and political
situation in Somalia, held in Addis Ababa on 20 May 2009.
Council,
1. Recalls the press statements issued by the Chairperson of the Commission on
12 and 19 May 2009, as well as its earlier communiqués on the situation in Somalia;
2. Welcomes the convening of the Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of
Ministers, expresses its strong support to the communiqué adopted on that occasion
and reiterates its full support to the efforts being made by IGAD in support of the
peace process, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the people of Somalia
in the face of the aggression perpetrated against them;
3. Strongly condemns the aggression perpetrated against the TFG of Somalia and
the civilian population in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia by armed groups,
including foreign elements, bent on undermining the peace and reconciliation process,
as well as regional stability. Council expresses deep concern at the increased
presence of foreign elements in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia, as corroborated by the United Nations Secretary-General in his report of 16 April 2009;
4. Also expresses deep concern at the reports regarding the support provided to
these armed groups, through training, provision of weapons and ammunitions and
funding, by external actors, including Eritrea, in flagrant violation of the United Nations
arms embargo. Council notes the condemnation by the IGAD Extraordinary Session of
Eritrea, as contained in paragraphs 5 and 6 of its communiqué, for its actions in support
of the armed groups operating in Somalia, including its calls for the overthrow of the
TFG;
5. Requests the United Nations Security Council, in line with the relevant
provisions of the IGAD communiqué, to:
(i) take immediate measures, including the imposition of a no fly zone and
blockade of sea ports, to prevent the entry of foreign elements into
Somalia, as well as flights and shipments carrying weapons and
ammunitions to armed groups inside Somalia which are carrying out
attacks against the TFG, the civilian population and AMISOM,
(ii) impose sanctions against all those foreign actors, both within and outside
the region, specially Eritrea, providing support to the armed groupsengaged in destabilization activities in Somalia, attacks against the TFG,
the civilian population and AMISOM, as well as against all the Somali
individuals and entities working towards undermining the peace and
reconciliation efforts and regional stability;
6. Demands that the armed groups currently involved in attacks against the TFG,
the civilian population and AMISOM, immediately put an end to their actions, which are
tantamount to an attempt at unconstitutional change of Government, in violation of the
relevant AU instruments;
7. Reiterates its call to all the Somali parties who have not yet done so, to join the
peace process without any further delay;
8. Appeals to all the AU Member States to urgently provide all the required support,
including military, to the TFG to enable it neutralize the armed elements carrying out
attacks against it;
9. Stresses the need for all concerned, both within the region and outside, to
refrain from any action likely to undermine the ongoing efforts and threaten the security
of AMISOM personnel, including through provision of equipment, funds and other forms
of support to the armed groups opposed to the TFG. Council requests the Chairperson
of the Commission to reach out to all concerned to convey the AU position, which, in
line with that of IGAD, is to fully support the TFG, as the legitimate authority of Somalia,
and reverse the aggression perpetrated against the TFG and the Somali people; 10. Expresses deep concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia,
and calls on AU Member States and the international community at large to urgently
provide needed support to address the situation;
11. Reiterates its appreciation to the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) and
AMISOM, as well as to all countries and institutions providing support to the Mission.
Council welcomes the pledge by Sierra Leone to contribute one battalion to AMISOM
and urges AU Member States and partners to provide the required logistical support for
the early deployment of this battalion. Furthermore, Council urges the AU Member
States that have pledged troops to AMISOM to urgently deploy them. Council strongly condemns all attempts to demonize AMISOM and the TCCs;
12. Welcomes the outcome of the Pledging Conference for Somalia held in
Brussels, Belgium, from 22 to 23 April 2009, commends all the countries and
organizations that have announced contributions and stresses the need for the speedy
fulfillment of the pledges made to facilitate the ongoing efforts to strengthen AMISOM
and the Somali security institutions;
13. Reaffirms the determination of the AU to do everything in its power to sustain
the ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts, support the TFG and to remain engaged inSomalia, in particular through the continued and strengthened presence of AMISOM,
pending the deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation;
14. Agrees to reconvene in mid-June 2009, to review comprehensively, on the basis
of the report to be submitted by the Chairperson of the Commission, the situation in
Somalia and take the required decisions, particularly with respect to the renewal and the
need to strengthen the mandate of AMISOM;
15. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
