International Contact Group on Somalia
29 - 30 September 2011, Copenhagen
Friday, September 30, 2011
The 20th meeting of the International Contact Group on Somalia (ICG) was held under the chairmanship of the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Mr. Augustine Mahiga, from 29 to 30 September 2011 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The opening of the meeting was addressed by the Danish State Secretary Ambassador Ib Petersen, the Somali Speaker of the Parliament Shariif Hassan Sheikh Aden, the Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and the African Union’s High Representative former President Jerry John Rawlings.
The ICG expressed its deep concern about the drought and famine, which is causing widespread suffering for Somalis. It called on the international partners to continue contributing to lifesaving activities and sustainable livelihood activities, which will contribute to reducing the impact of future disasters.
ICG members noted the Kampala Accord of 9 June and welcomed the outcome of the recent Consultative Meeting in Mogadishu. It congratulated the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), Puntland, Galmudug and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a for their collaboration and agreement on the Roadmap. The ICG underscored the need to maintain political commitment by the Somali stakeholders to implement the Roadmap, and support by the international community in line with the principles of inclusivity, transparency and shared responsibility.
The Group welcomed the progress made on the security front by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces and expressed its deep appreciation for AMISOM, in particular the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs). The members also paid tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives in Somalia.
The ICG noted with grave concern the continuing aggression by Al Shabaab especially in Gedo and Lower Juba, which has resulted in loss of life. The Group strongly condemned Al Shabaab’s attack on Dobley and Garbaharey, which took place while the ICG was in session, and called on Al Shabaab and other forces to renounce violence and join the peace process.
The International Contact Group thanked the government of Denmark for hosting the meeting, and welcomed Djibouti’s offer to host the next meeting in January 2012.
ICG members made the following recommendations:
Political & Reconciliation
1. The timely implementation of the agreed tasks in the Roadmap by the TFI leadership and Regional Administrations. In particular the ICG calls for accelerated efforts to complete and adopt the constitution, effect parliamentary reform and establish a Constituent Assembly in order to end the transition in a timely and legitimate manner;
2. Continued political outreach and reconciliation efforts with Regional Administrations, religious leaders, elders, Diaspora, women and youth. This includes the activation of the High Level Committee and the immediate organization of the Consultative Meeting with broad-based civil society organizations to ensure their inclusion in the political process and the implementation of the Roadmap;
3. The immediate establishment of the agreed compliance mechanisms, which include the Technical Committee, the International Coordination and Monitoring Group and the Regional Political Initiative;
4. The international community support to the TFIs be based on progress in the Roadmap. This includes increased assistance when progress is timely and effective, and the introduction of negative consequences in the event of non-compliance and delays in the delivery of tasks, in line with the position set out by the UN Security Council visit to Nairobi in May 2011;
Security;
5. The TFG finalizes and adopts the National Security and Stabilization Plan, through which additional support can be provided for critical priorities to include, disengaging fighters, former combatants and the strengthening of the military, police, justice and corrections institutions. The ICG encouraged donors to contribute to the Trust Fund in support of Somali Security Institutions;
6. That international partners continue and expand the provision of a comprehensive support package to AMISOM, in particular to cover the resource gaps, to enable it to build on recent achievements. Donors were encouraged to make generous in-kind contributions to Troop Contributing Countries, and financial resources without caveats into the United Nations Trust Fund in support of AMISOM, specifically enablers and contingent-owned-equipment;
7. That more African Union member states contribute troops to AMISOM in order to achieve its full strength;
8. The TFG and the international community take the appropriate measures to enhance the effectiveness, command and control of the National Security Forces and its friendly allies including through encampment training and equipping the security forces, and the sustainment of stipends;
9. Acknowledge that a solution to piracy requires a comprehensive approach which addresses the political, security, socio-economic root causes in Somalia, and the protection of maritime resources. ICG members also recommended the TFIs adopt counter-piracy legislation without delay, and consider declaring an Exclusive Economic Zone;
Humanitarian, Recovery and Development
10.Noting that the humanitarian crisis will continue into 2012, the ICG called for increased, expanded and sustained humanitarian assistance. Members called on all parties to the conflict to ensure the right security environment and immediate facilitation of humanitarian access in Somalia;
11. Improve coordination between TFG, United Nations agencies, NGOs and donors including the African Union, IGAD, League of Arab States (LAS) and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states;
12. Immediate support to recovery, stabilization and development activities in Mogadishu, existing and newly secured areas through the provision of funds by the international community and safe access by the TFG, combined with enhanced monitoring and improved mutual accountability and transparency;
13. The establishment of a Joint TFG-Donor Financial Management Board as recommended by the Horn of Africa Summit in September 2011;
Human Rights
14. The strengthening of national capacity for the promotion and protection of human rights to end impunity, in particular in the area of protection of civilians, including the establishment of an independent Human Right Commission in line with the TFG commitment in the Universal Periodic Review.
Participants: Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, African Development Bank, African Union, European Union, Islamic Development Bank, IGAD, League of Arab States, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, NATO, United Nations, World Bank
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