Statment of the Consultative Meeting of the African Union(AU), Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) and International Partners

STATEMENT OF THE CONSULTATIVE MEETING OF THE AFRICAN UNION (AU), TROOP CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES (TCCs) AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS,

ADDIS ABABA, 20 JULY 2009

As part of the overall efforts of the African Union (AU) in support of the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia, a consultative meeting on the situation in that country took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 20 July 2009. In addition to the AU, the meeting brought together Ministers of Defense of the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), namely Burundi and Uganda, the Minister of Water and Natural Resources of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Somalia, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the League of Arab States (LAS). Ethiopia attended the meeting in its capacity as current Chair of IGAD, whilst Libya attended the meeting in its capacity as Chair of the African Union.

The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, and was briefed by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for Somalia, Nicolas Bwakira and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah.

The meeting reviewed recent developments in Somalia and agreed on the steps to be taken to further peace, reconciliation, security and stability in Somalia.

The meeting noted, with grave concern, the flux in the security situation in the country despite concerted efforts by the international community to ensure peace and stability in Somalia with the political and logistic support to the TFG. In this regard, the meeting strongly condemned the spate of targeted assassinations, abductions and killing of innocent civilians witnessed in the last couples of weeks.

On the Mandate and Rules of Engagement (RoE) of AMISOM, the meeting noted the Commission’s view that both the Mandate and the RoE provide sufficient room for a robust engagement. In order to address the urgent need for a more comprehensive engagement of countries of the region, the meeting acknowledged the need for a stronger regional and international commitment to assist TFG to address the volatile security situation.

The meeting underscored the call contained in the IGAD communiqué of 20 May 2009, as endorsed by the AU Peace and Security Council meeting of 22 May 2009, and by the 13th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, calling for the UNSC to take immediate measures, including the imposition of sanctions on all spoilers, including Eritrea, the imposition of a no fly zone and blockade of sea ports and the monitoring of Somalia’s land borders, 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.

The meeting welcomed the decision of AU PSC meeting of 15 June 2009 which extended the Mandate of AMISOM until January 2010. The meeting further welcomed the IGAD 33rd Extra-Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, which affirmed the Djibouti process as constituting a legal and legitimate framework, and the only valid process for the implementation of peace and reconciliation in Somalia until August 2011.

On the capacity building for the TFG, and in particular, the Somali National Security Forces (NSF), the meeting welcomed the outcomes of the Technical/Experts and Ambassadorial Meeting to discuss capacity building for the TFG that was convened by AMISOM, IGAD, UNPOS and LAS in Nairobi, Kenya, on 14 and 15 July 2009. In order to fully implement the recommendations of the meeting, it was noted that partners speed up the disbursement of the pledges made at the Brussels Conference. The meeting underlined the importance of TFG ownership of this process and welcomed, in this regard, the re-activation of the Joint Security Committee.

The meeting noted the signing of an MoU between the AU and the UN on supporting AMISOM and agreed for an ad-hoc working group to be established, including representatives from the TCCs, to assist the timely implementation of the MoU. The Joint Security Committee will provide direction to a technical working group on matters relating to the re-organization, training and sustainment of the Somali security forces.

The meeting also offered an opportunity for Mr. Jean PING, Chairperson of the AU Commission to hold a working session with Leaders of Delegations and other participants. The Chairperson of the AU Commission stressed the strong resolve of the AU to continue to strengthen AMISOM to help it fully discharge its mandate and to pursue its efforts aimed at building the Somali Security Forces. He equally called for more regional contributions in support of the Government led by President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and other TFIs so as to promote peace and reconciliation in Somalia.

The meeting reiterated its earlier call on AU Member States to provide additional troops to facilitate the attainment of AMISOM authorized strength.

The meeting agreed to convene in the first half of September 2009.