Security Council Press Statement on Situation in Somalia

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Hardeep Singh Puri ( India):

On Wednesday 10 August, the Security Council received a briefing from Augustine P. Mahiga, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Somalia, and Catherine Bragg, Assistant Secretary-General in the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on the situation in Somalia.

The members of the Security Council strongly supported the work of Special Representative Mahiga to facilitate the upcoming consultative meeting to be held in Somalia on 4-6 September, which will agree on a road map of key tasks and priorities to be delivered in Somalia over the next 12 months, with clear timelines and benchmarks to be implemented by the Transitional Federal Institutions.  The members of the Security Council stressed the need for wide participation by Somali groups in this meeting, including the Transitional Federal Institutions, local and regional administrations and other Somali stakeholders.  They called upon all participants to engage constructively and responsibly in this meeting and stressed the importance of agreeing the road map in a timely manner.  The members of the Security Council noted that future support to the Transitional Federal Institutions would be contingent upon completion of the tasks in the road map.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the recent improvements in the security situation in Mogadishu.  They commended the efforts of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somalia security forces, and recognized the significant sacrifices made by these forces.  The members of the Security Council urged the Transitional Federal Institutions to immediately capitalize on these gains by urgently focusing on delivery of basic services and providing good governance to all of its citizens.  The members of the Security Council stressed the importance of predictable, reliable and timely resources for AMISOM in order for it to better fulfil its mandate.  They called upon the international community to make contributions urgently to AMISOM, without caveats.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their grave concern at the continued instability in Somalia which has led to a multitude of problems, including terrorism, piracy, hostage-taking and a dire humanitarian situation.  In this context, the members of the Security Council underscored the need for the expeditious implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions, including by the Transitional Federal Institutions as appropriate.  The members of the Security Council stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to encourage peace and stability in Somalia through the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their grave concern at the famine affecting Somalia.  The members of the Security Council welcomed the mobilization of the international community so far, urged Member States to contribute to the United Nations consolidated appeal for Somalia and expressed serious concern that the appeal is not fully funded.  The members of the Security Council urged all parties and armed groups to ensure full, safe and unhindered access for the timely delivery of humanitarian aid to persons in need of assistance across Somalia, and to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of drought-affected populations and humanitarian personnel and supplies.

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For information media • not an official record