International Contact Group on Somalia 5-6 February 2012, Djibouti / Final
Communiqué
DJIBOUTI, Djibouti, February 6, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ --
The 21st meeting of the..
DJIBOUTI, Djibouti, February 7, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ --
The 21st meeting of the International Contact Group (ICG) on Somalia was
held under the chairmanship of the United Nations Special Representative of
the Secretary-General for Somalia, Dr Augustine Mahiga, from 5-6 February
2012 in Djibouti. Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of the Republic of
Djibouti, Speaker Shariif Hassan Sheikh Aden of the Transitional Federal
Parliament of the Republic of Somalia, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali
of the Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia, President
Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud (Farole) of the Puntland State of Somalia,
President Mohamed Ahmed Alin of the Galmudug State of Somalia, Abdilkader
Moallim Noor of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a and the African Union High
Representative for Somalia President Jerry Rawlings addressed the meeting.
Political Process
The ICG agreed that the Transition must end on 20 August 2012 in accordance
with the Transitional Federal Charter, Djibouti Agreement, Kampala Accord,
Roadmap and Garowe Principles. The minimum essential conditions include the
finalisation of the draft constitution by 20 April as prescribed in the
Roadmap and Garowe Principles leading to provisional adoption of a new
Constitution (subject to a national referendum in due course), the
establishment of a new, smaller and more representative Parliament and
elections for the positions of Speaker, Deputies and President.
The ICG welcomed the Principles agreed in Garowe on 24 December 2011,
particularly in terms of building the momentum towards ending the Transition
and defining the parameters and modalities for the process to move forward.
Nevertheless, the ICG stressed the urgent need to broaden consultation with
civil society and other stakeholders in order that future decisions,
especially with regard to the precise method for selecting members of the
Constituent Assembly and Parliament, enjoy the widest possible support.
Accordingly, the ICG welcomed plans by the Transitional Federal Government
(TFG) and Puntland State of Somalia to hold a second meeting from 15-17
February in Garowe with a wider group of stakeholders than before in order
to elaborate the way forward and address outstanding issues such as the
nature of federalism and the system of government. The ICG looked forward to
receiving an ambitious and clear timetable needed to deliver the Garowe
process.
Looking beyond the Transition, the ICG stressed the importance of holding
direct, popular elections as soon as and wherever possible at district,
regional, state and federal levels in order to maximise public
participation.
More generally, the ICG noted that there had been good progress in some
areas of the Roadmap, but not across the board. In particular, the Group
welcomed recent efforts by the TFG to reach out to a number of regional
administrations, but reiterated its call for the overdue establishment of
the High Level Committee on a formal and fully inclusive basis. The Group
also encouraged all relevant stakeholders to participate actively in the
Technical Committee and in its several sub-committees with a view to
facilitating the full implementation of the Roadmap (including any necessary
mobilisation of resources).
The ICG recognises the important role being played by the League of Arab
States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and encourages them to
continue their efforts.
Given the importance of timely implementation of the Roadmap, the ICG
expressed its strong concern over recent action by some Members of
Parliament to attempt to replace the Speaker. Accordingly, it encouraged the
UN, AU and IGAD to undertake further mediation efforts before Garowe II in
the hope of achieving an agreed solution – failing which, the UN, AU and
IGAD should identify spoilers for possible sanctions based on their
obstruction of the peace process.
The ICG strongly condemns all forms of violence and intimidation against
Somali journalists and media organisations, and urges the Somali authorities
to end impunity, investigate and prosecute those responsible.
The Group reiterated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
Security and Stabilisation
The ICG applauded recent military successes by the African Union Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM), TFG forces and their partners in response to continuing
aggression by Al Shabaab. The Group reiterated its condolences to the
families of the victims, including the relatives of TFG soldiers, their
allies and AMISOM who have lost their lives. The ICG called upon all
military actors to ensure adequate protection of civilians and unimpeded
access for humanitarian agencies.
While recognising that the improvement of the security situation remains
primarily the responsibility of the TFG, the Group welcomed the combined
efforts of the AU, AMISOM troop-contributing countries, regional partners
and the UN in developing a comprehensive strategic concept for AMISOM. They
agreed that an enhanced
AMISOM capability could seize the present moment of opportunity further to
improve the security situation, enable the TFG to extend its authority and
reach out to the population in newly-recovered areas. The Group acknowledged
that this would require adequate, sustainable and predictable funding,
including for an expanded logistical support package, and called for
uncaveated contributions to the AMISOM Trust Fund, including from potential
new donors, and for additional troop contributors. The Group also noted the
urgent need to strengthen the capacity of TFG security forces.
The ICG noted the importance of establishing functional local administration
and stabilisation programmes in areas recovered from Al Shabaab. In this
regard, the Group welcomed a specific and detailed proposal from the TFG,
and urged the provision of timely and adequate resources for its rapid
implementation in order to consolidate the peace, promote reconciliation,
restore law and order, release and reintegrate children associated with
armed groups, revive basic services and strengthen governance at district,
regional, state and federal levels. The Group underscored the need to
converge both bottom-up (i.e. community-led) and top-down (TFG-facilitated)
processes to fill the territorial and political space vacated by the
retreating elements of Al Shabaab. The ICG calls upon Al Shabaab and all
other extremist organisations to renounce violence and embrace the Djibouti
peace process.
London Conference
The ICG welcomed the planned London Conference on 23 February as an
opportunity to focus additional attention at the highest level on turning
the tide in Somalia. The Group reiterated its commitment to ensuring that
the Conference gives fresh impetus to the international community's support
for Somalia by building on the work of the UN, AU and IGAD to facilitate the
completion of the Roadmap, consolidation and expansion of security gains and
preparation for the post-Transition period.
Reconstruction and Recovery
The ICG remains committed to supporting Somalia's long-term reconstruction
and development, which should produce a tangible improvement in the daily
lives of ordinary Somalis. The ICG notes that it will be harder to secure
progress in the military and political process unless genuine effort is made
to achieve economic growth, reconstruction and recovery. To this end, the
Group looks forward to the planned Istanbul II conference in June. Before
then, the ICG urges the Roadmap signatories – in consultation with the UN
and major donors – to develop a detailed plan which should include ways to
improve access to basic services, education, employment, infrastructure and
incentives for peace.
International Coordination
In view of the urgent importance of ending the Transition and reinforcing
recent military gains, this ICG focused primarily on the political process
and promoting stabilisation. Nevertheless, further progress regarding
security, including fighting against piracy and terrorism, are also key to
improving governance and stability and in addressing the many other issues
which concern us in Somalia – including the humanitarian crisis, violations
of human rights and protection of children. As we approach the end of
Transition and a hoped-for new era of peace and economic recovery in
Somalia, the ICG is committed to becoming even more effective at
representing and coordinating the international community's response. The
ICG therefore discussed various options for reform and revised working
methods, and invited further proposals with a view to reaching agreement on
a possible restructuring.
In the meantime, the ICG welcomes with appreciation the bold relocation of
the United Nations Political Office for Somalia from Nairobi to Mogadishu,
and looks forward to shifting the presence of other UN agencies and
international partners progressively to Somalia.
The International Contact Group thanked the Government of Djibouti for
hosting this meeting.
Participants
African Union, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Djibouti, East
African Community, Egypt, Ethiopia, European Union, Finland, France,
Germany, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Islamic Development
Bank, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea (Republic), League of Arab States, North
Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Netherlands, Norway, Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (TFG, TFP, Puntland, Galmudug,
Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a), South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Nations, United
States of America, Yemen and World Bank.
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Received on Tue Feb 07 2012 - 12:22:03 EST
