Security Council

5671^st Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSES GRAVE CONCERN AT RENEWED FIGHTING IN SOMALIA,

CONDEMNS INDISCRIMINATE SHELLING IN MOGADISHU

 

Presidential Statement Calls on Parties to End Hostilities,

Comply Fully with International Law, Protect Civilian Population

Expressing its grave concern at the renewed fighting in Somalia, the Security Council this afternoon deeply deplored the loss of civilian life -– condemning in particular the indiscriminate shelling of heavily populated areas of Mogadishu -– and the humanitarian impact of the fighting.

In a statement read out by Emyr Jones Parry (United Kingdom), its President for April, the Council called upon all parties to immediately end the hostilities and demanded that they comply fully with international humanitarian law, protect the civilian population and guarantee complete, unhindered and secure access for humanitarian assistance.  The Council demanded also that the relevant authorities facilitate the free movement of aid and humanitarian workers throughout Somalia and when entering or leaving the country.

Emphasizing the need for strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian relief to Somalia, including assistance to the hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, the Council urged Member States to support such operations generously.  It also urged the wider region to help facilitate the provision of aid across land borders or via air- and seaports.

The Council underlined the need for Somalia’s Transitional Federal Institutions to meet their responsibilities, with particular regard for promoting the widest possible political dialogue across the country.  It reiterated its commitment to support those Institutions and called on all parties in Somalia and on Member States to provide such support.  The Council urged the Transitional Federal Institutions to show leadership and commitment to reach out to all components of Somali society and, in particular, to intensify its dialogue with the clans in Mogadishu.

Condemning those who threatened the early convening of the National Reconciliation Congress, the Council stressed that it must be truly representative of all segments of Somali society.  It also called on all parties in Somalia and the country’s international partners to work towards that end, and to ensure constructive participation in the Congress to pave the way to a sustained and all-inclusive political process.

The Council reiterated its support for the political process outlined in the Transitional Federal Charter, including the transition to a permanent, representative Government and institutions following national elections at the end of the transitional period.  It called on all parties, the region and the wider international community to reject violence, to deny safe haven to extremist elements, to pursue any differences they might have with the Transitional Federal Institutions through dialogue and to summon the political will to take the steps that would allow the Transitional Federal Institutions to deliver a sustainable, all-inclusive political process.

Recalling its readiness, as set out in its resolution 1744 (2007), to consider taking measures against those seeking to prevent or block a peaceful political process, threatening the Transitional Federal Institutions by force or undermining stability, the Council stated its intention to review the situation in Somalia following a report from the Secretary-General, with a view to determining whether conditions were in place for the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation.  It requested the Secretary-General to begin immediate contingency planning for a possible United Nations mission, to be deployed should the Council decide to authorize such a mission.

Welcoming the technical assessment mission sent by the Secretary-General to Somalia and the region, the Council requested him to consult the African Union and troop contributors on how to urgently strengthen further the capabilities of the African Union Mission to Somalia on the ground.  The Council reiterated that full and effective deployment of the African Union Mission to Somalia was vital, and welcomed the deployments made so far.  It also reiterated its call for other States and partners to provide logistical, technical and financial support to ensure the further deployment of the African Union Mission.

The meeting began at 12:10 p.m. and ended at 12:20 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2007/13 reads as follows:

“The Security Council reiterates its previous resolutions and presidential statements on Somalia, in particular its resolution 1744 (2007).

“The Security Council reaffirms its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia.

“The Security Council expresses its grave concern at the renewed fighting in Somalia, deeply deplores the loss of civilian life -- condemning in particular the indiscriminate shelling of heavily populated areas of Mogadishu -- and the humanitarian impact of the fighting, and calls upon all parties to immediately end the hostilities and agree a comprehensive ceasefire.

“The Security Council emphasizes the need for strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian relief assistance to Somalia, including assistance to the hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, and urges Member States to support generously such operations.

“The Security Council demands that all parties in Somalia comply fully with international humanitarian law, protect the civilian population and guarantee complete, unhindered and secure access for humanitarian assistance.  It demands that the relevant authorities do all they can in this regard, in particular to facilitate the free movement of aid and humanitarian workers throughout Somalia and when entering or leaving Somalia.  The Council also urges the wider region to help facilitate the cross-border provision of aid to Somalia, across land borders or via air- and seaports.

“The Security Council reiterates its support for the political process outlined in the Transitional Federal Charter, which provides a framework for reaching a lasting political solution in Somalia, including the transition to a permanent, representative Government and institutions following national elections at the end of the transitional period.

“The Security Council notes steps taken since the adoption of its resolution 1744 (2007), welcomes the commitment of the Transitional Federal Institutions to initiate a national reconciliation process and stresses the need for further progress.

“The Security Council urges Somalia’s Transitional Federal Institutions to show leadership and commitment to reach out to all components of Somali society and, in particular, to intensify their dialogue with the clans in Mogadishu.  It calls on all parties in Somalia, the region and the wider international community to reject violence, to deny safe haven to extremist elements, to pursue any differences they might have with the Transitional Federal Institutions through dialogue and to summon the political will to take the necessary steps to allow the Transitional Federal Institutions to deliver a sustainable, all-inclusive political process.

“The Security Council underlines the need for the Transitional Federal Institutions to meet their responsibilities during the transitional period, with particular regard to promoting the widest possible political dialogue across Somalia, and reiterates its commitment to support the Transitional Federal Institutions in those efforts.  The Security Council calls on all parties in Somalia and on Member States to provide such support.

“The Security Council calls on the Transitional Federal Institutions to ensure that the National Reconciliation Congress is convened as soon as possible, and is truly representative of all segments of Somali society.  The Security Council also calls on all parties in Somalia and other international partners to work towards that end, and to ensure constructive participation in the National Reconciliation Congress to pave the way to a sustained and all-inclusive political process.

“The Security Council condemns those who threaten the early convening of the National Reconciliation Congress.  The Security Council recognizes the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the United Nations Development Programme, the International Advisory Committee and Member States to support the National Reconciliation Congress, and urges Member States and partners to contribute continued technical and financial support.

“The Security Council requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the African Union, the League of Arab States and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, to do what he can to assist in furthering ceasefire arrangements and the political dialogue, especially in Mogadishu.

“The Security Council recalls its readiness, as set out in its resolution 1744 (2007), to consider taking measures against those who seek to prevent or block a peaceful political process, threaten the Transitional Federal Institutions by force, or take action that undermines stability in Somalia or the region.

“The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to report by mid-June on progress towards convening the National Reconciliation Congress and the broader political dialogue, including progress towards a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire arrangement and on any blockages to progress or threats to the Transitional Federal Institutions.

“The Security Council reiterates that, as set out in its resolution 1744 (2007), full and effective deployment of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) is vital.  The Security Council welcomes deployments so far under AMISOM and calls on other potential troop-contributing countries to deploy as soon as possible to AMISOM.  It reiterates its call for other States and partners to provide logistical, technical and financial support to ensure the further deployment of AMISOM.  The Security Council also welcomes the Secretary-General’s offer of planning assistance to the African Union.

“The Security Council emphasizes the contribution of AMISOM to lasting peace and stability in Somalia, condemns any hostility towards it, and urges all parties in Somalia and the region to support and co-operate with AMISOM.

“The Security Council welcomes the technical assessment mission sent by the Secretary-General to Somalia and the region.  It requests the Secretary-General to consult the African Union and troop contributors on how to urgently strengthen further AMISOM’s capabilities on the ground.  It also requests the Secretary-General, as suggested in his report, to immediately begin appropriate contingency planning for a possible United Nations mission, to be deployed if the Security Council decided to authorise such a mission.  The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to report by mid-June on this preparatory work, progress in the reconciliation process and developments on the ground, and possible scenarios for a continued international security presence in Somalia.

“The Security Council states its intention to review the situation in Somalia following the report described above from the Secretary-General, with a view to determining whether the conditions are in place for deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation.”

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For information media • not an official record