Despite ‘Glimmers of Hope’, Secretary-General Says, Somalia Still Faces Well-Known

 

Obstacles, Urges Security Council to Increase Support for Transitional Government

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the Security Council on Somalia, in New York, 21 October:

Thank you for the opportunity to address the Council on this pressing challenge.

The situation in Somalia remains fragile, but there are glimmers of hope.

Notwithstanding recent internal divisions, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) remains committed to peace and reconciliation.  The President has appointed a new Prime Minister, and I urge the Parliament of Somalia to endorse him so as to allow a new Government to come into place without delay.

The Government is also developing its security sector institutions.  It is carrying out an offensive against the insurgents, and has taken over some main cities previously occupied by the insurgents.

Reports of residents taking down the Al-Shabaab flags that had been flying in the town of Belet Hawo, and hoisting the Somali national flag instead, are signs of the Somali people’s yearning for peace and security.

These actions — some concrete, others more symbolic, including the resumption of broadcasting by Radio Mogadishu and the rehabilitation of some key buildings — demonstrate the Government’s resolve to meet those aspirations, in partnership with the international community.

At the same time, the obstacles are well known.

Two million people need emergency aid, including 1.4 million who have been displaced internally since 2007.

Continuing insecurity and conflict in parts of the country are attracting foreign extremist elements.  This poses a threat not only to Somalia, but to the region, to the continent and beyond.  We have all seen what can happen when terrorists and others take advantage of a country’s fragility to establish a haven.

Support to the TFG — its reconciliation efforts and its fight against extremism — will go a long way.

But the international community must act now if it is to make a difference.

The United Nations will continue to work towards achieving the political objectives of the Djibouti peace process, in the following four key areas:

First, supporting the outreach and reconciliation efforts of the TFG with those outside the peace process.  To sustain these efforts, my Special Representative, Augustine Mahiga, has been making regular visits to Mogadishu and States in the region.  Under his leadership, the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) is encouraging dialogue with the entities that renounce violence and are still out of the Djibouti political process.

Second, supporting the TFG in completing the priority tasks outlined in the Transitional Federal Charter, in particular consultations on the Constitution.  As recommended at the International Contact Group meeting in Madrid on 27 September, the TFG has agreed to prepare a road map with a prioritized comprehensive strategy, political objectives and timelines for the remainder of the transition.  UNPOS will facilitate this process.

Third, advancing implementation of agreements between the TFG and other regional authorities.  To be effective in ensuring that this process happens, we are beefing up our political presence in “Puntland” and “Somaliland”.

And fourth, developing functioning State institutions.  In addition to holding more meetings of the High-Level Committee and the Joint Security Committee inside Somalia, UNPOS and the country team will focus on strengthening the capacities of the various ministries.

In each of these areas, the United Nations will continue its “light footprint” approach in order to be closer to the Somali people and authorities.  We will also ensure that UN efforts are well coordinated, in line with my policy of integrating UN operations.  As I indicated in my most recent report to the Security Council, in the coming months I intend to submit for your consideration proposals for an integrated United Nations presence.

I commend the African Union and AMISOM [African Union Mission in Somalia] for their efforts in assisting the TFG in its security and military efforts.  The United Nations Support Office for AMISOM has been providing critical logistic support to AMISOM, making it a better equipped military force.

As you will hear shortly from Commissioner Lamamra, AMISOM’s military strategy aims to assist the TFG in establishing professional security sector institutions, implementing its agreements with other groups and authorities, creating humanitarian space and delivering basic services to the people.  This strategy fully supports and complements the overall political strategy for Somalia.

However, to enable AMISOM to be an ever more effective partner, further international help is needed.  In my most recent report to the Council, I expressed concern about the substantial resource gaps that continue to have an adverse impact on the Mission. 

Extensive consultations have taken place aimed at resolving the lack of predictable and sufficient funding, notably last month’s informal meeting of members of the Security Council, major donors and other partners jointly convened by the Under-Secretaries-General for Political Affairs and Field Support.  Funding for AMISOM also featured prominently in statements delivered at the mini-summit I convened during the general debate, and again during the recent Council mission to Africa.

Following these consultations, the report of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union is now before you.  The report calls for significant additional support for AMISOM to be funded through the assessed contributions of Member States of the United Nations.

I encourage the Council to take bold and courageous decisions necessary to enhance the capacity of AMISOM to deliver more effectively on its mandate.

The Security Council may wish to consider phasing the additional support in line with the phases outlined in Chairperson Ping’s report.  This approach would allow for periodic review of the impact of the additional UN support.

My Special Representative is working closely with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) to ensure coherence between their military strategy and the international community’s political objectives, as outlined in the Djibouti Agreement.

In return, I urge the Somali authorities to consolidate their efforts and unite against the threat of extremism.

The TFG must also start to deliver improved services to the Somali people, pay salaries to the security forces and build up its security sector institutions.  The support of the international community is critical in this regard.

In a country that has been in conflict for two decades, peace requires sustained efforts and a long-term strategy.

I pay tribute to all those contributing to that goal — the African Union Mission in Somalia, countries that have contributed troops, Somalia’s neighbours and Member States that have shown great commitment in supporting Somalia and the peace process.

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