International Contact Group on Somalia / Final Communiqué

 

 

 

 

International Contact Group on Somalia / Final Communiqué

 

 

MADRID, Spain, September 28, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The 18th meeting of the International Contact Group (ICG) on Somalia was convened in Madrid on 27 and 28 September 2010 under the chairmanship of Mr. Augustine P. Mahiga, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia. President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed led the Somali delegation. The meeting was hosted by the government of Spain. Mr. Juan Pablo de Laiglesia, Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presided over the opening ceremony. Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation presided over the closing ceremony.

 

The International Contact Group reaffirmed its commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia and condemned the terrorist attacks in Kampala in July 2010, the attack on Muna Hotel in August 2010, and the attack at the airport on AMISOM in September. The Group called on the UN Security Council and member states to unite in stopping Al Shabaab and its supporters.

 

The Group registered their collective satisfaction that the divisions within the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) ended in a consensual manner. The Group strongly urged the Somali leadership to remain united, and concentrate their efforts to address the critical tasks ahead. The Group agreed that a concerted effort should be made to continue with the consultation on the draft constitution working towards its finalization. The Group further encouraged the TFIs to focus on governance, fight corruption and promote accountability and transparency and the delivery of basic services to the population.

 

President Sharif reaffirmed his commitment to work for peace and stability. He expressed his intent to appoint a new Prime Minister in the immediate future, and to complete key transitional tasks. He appealed for increased support from the international community to address security and institution building so that tangible results could be achieved. He added that the constitution consultation process is essential for the Somali people’s engagement in the future political dispensation.

 

The International Contact Group made the following recommendations:

 

The TFG should urgently develop a roadmap that outlines the management of the remaining transition period within sixty days. This roadmap should reflect a prioritized comprehensive strategy with political objectives and timelines, supported by security activities, as well as reconstruction and development priorities including a budget for the remaining period. UNPOS should coordinate the international support to the TFG strategy, including developing an action plan without delay. The Group agreed that UNPOS should revitalize the existing coordination mechanisms such as the High Level Committee (HLC) to lead the coordination and monitoring of the peace process. This roadmap will be funded through existing programmes, funds or through a designated trust fund for the implementation of the defined priority tasks.

 

As the transitional period moves to conclusion on 20 August 2011, the Group stressed that the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) should intensify their efforts to complete the key transitional tasks, particularly the finalisation of the Constitution-making process. The Group further agreed that the TFIs should explore various options for the post-transition arrangements, in consultations with the Somali people and with the support of the international community.

 

While the Djibouti peace process remains the sole basis for the achievement of peace and national reconciliation in Somalia; the TFG should increase its outreach and reconciliation efforts towards groups, entities and individuals outside the Djibouti process who have expressed their willingness to join the peace process and renounce violence. Noting that Somali members of Parliament represent regions, communities and social groupings. The TFG should broaden the base of national reconciliation efforts by reaching out to Somali communities, including clans and religious leaders, women’s groups, the business community, the Diaspora and local and regional Administrations. In addition, the TFG and Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa (ASWJ) should take concrete steps towards the full and effective implementation of the agreement. Other agreements such as the Galkayo Agreement between the TFG and Puntland, and the Kampala Framework on Piracy with Somaliland and Puntland should also be implemented.

 

Strengthen existing partnerships and coordination mechanisms within the security sector, such as the Joint Security Committee (JSC) and its technical working groups. This should be done in close collaboration and cooperation with the Somali security institutions and the international community. The Contact Group noted the decision by the African Union (AU) and the IGAD summits to increase the mandated strength from 8,000 to 20,000 troops to Somalia. The Group further noted the decisions adopted by the AU Summit of 10 July 2010 and urged the international community to increase its support to AMISOM including the reimbursement of the contingent owned equipment and the increase of troop allowances to the UN standards. The Contact Group further agreed to implement the following priorities: support the TFG to adopt the Security Sector Assessment and finalize the National Security and Stabilisation Plan, and link building the security sector institutions with the constitutional making process. The ICG welcomed the different initiatives to build a strong and efficient Somali force and encouraged the TFG to integrate the soldiers into an effective chain of command with the assistance of the international community. The Group emphasized that training courses provided by different countries and different entities should be coordinated in a cohesive manner. The Group also considered the need to undertake a mapping of the main sources of illegal economic activities, including charcoal and miraa trade with the assistance of the international community.

 

Noted the SRSG’s intent to consider the impact of Piracy and to address the root causes of this phenomenon on the overall strategy to find a solution for Somalia and vice versa, including the need to coordinate political, military, security sector reform and development assistance. The Contact Group welcomed the current regional efforts to address the problem as well as the work of international naval forces. The Group also thanked those countries who currently shoulder the burden of prosecution of suspected pirates and urged further support to them in all aspects to increase their capacity, and welcomed the UN Security Council’s intent to explore other avenues for prosecution. The issue of maritime security off the coast of Somalia was highlighted not just of piracy but trafficking, the movement of arms and human trafficking. The Group recognized the joint Somali efforts to address piracy through the Kampala Framework. The Group welcomed the Secretary-General’s appointment of Mr. Jack Lang as his Special Advisor on Legal issues related to Piracy off the coast of Somalia.

 

Immediate and sustainable institution building. This includes the coordination and consolidation of activities to ensure timely and predictable delivery of stipends to members of Parliament, core civil servants and security forces linked to progress and agreed common goals. Support for capacity building activities, including the provision of technical expertise is critical to the longer-term functionality of state institutions. The Group noted the importance of transparency and accountability from both the TFIs and donors to ensure continued support.

 

Increased support for humanitarian assistance, protection of civilians and development with a focus on basic services and economic opportunities including direct support to the TFG. The Group noted the marked decline in humanitarian operating space and funding and called for increased funding to address critical live-saving gaps. In addition, a call was made for multi-year funding commitments to address priory development needs. The Group also highlighted the importance of continued reporting and advocacy on human right violations in Somalia, and welcomed the upcoming Human Rights Council meeting that will also discuss Somalia.

 

The International Contact Group recognized the positive contribution of Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah the former SRSG for Somalia, and welcomed Mr. Augustine Mahiga as the new SRSG. They also thanked the government of Spain for hosting the meeting and welcomed the agreement it signed with the government of Somalia on budgetary support.

 

The next ICG meeting will be held in February 2011.

 

Present at Meeting: Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Burundi, Canada, China, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Norway, Russian Federation, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, UK, USA, Yemen, African Union, European Union, IGAD, League of Arab States, NATO, Organization of the Islamic Conference, the World Bank, and the United Nations.

 

SOURCE 

UNITED NATIONS