The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 273rd meeting held on 21 April 2011, reviewed the situation in Somalia in light of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission [PSC/PR/4 (CCLXXIII)] and the briefings provided by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for Somalia, Amb. Boubacar G. Diarra, as well as by the representatives of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, the Inter? Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations.
Council expressed serious concern at the continued and serious differences between the Somali TFG and the Transitional Federal Parliament regarding the end of the transitional period and the post?transitional arrangements, which undermine the efforts to promote peace, security and reconciliation in Somalia, including the recent security gains recorded by the TFG and allied forces, with the support of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Council urged the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) and the Somali leaders to demonstrate the required political will and maturity in order to harmonize their views on the end of the transition and to agree on post?transitional arrangements that are inclusive, participatory and legitimate, bearing in mind their primary responsibility in the achievement of peace, security and reconciliation in their country.
Council welcomed the conclusions of the UN?sponsored High?Level Consultative Meeting that took place in Nairobi, on 12 and 13 April 2011, with the objective of facilitating dialogue, consultation and cooperation among the Somali institutions and stakeholders on the way forward to end the transition and determine post?transitional arrangements. Council welcomed the decision to hold the next High?Level Consultative Meeting in Mogadishu, and appealed to the TFG to extend the required cooperation and to take all necessary steps to ensure the successful convening of this meeting.
Council urged the TFG to take advantage of the gains made by AMISOM to map out a clear political strategy in line with the tasks set out by the Djibouti Agreement.
Council commended AMISOM and the Somali Defence and Security Forces for the significant progress made in extending the territory under their control in Mogadishu. Council also expressed appreciation for the role being played by Ahlu Suna Wa’al Jama’a and other pro TFG forces in defeating the armed opposition groups.
Council noted with concern the dire humanitarian situation in Somalia resulting from continued fighting and denial of access by Al Shabaab elements for the humanitarian agencies to the affected populations, as well as from the current drought situation. Against this background, Council expressed concern at the significant reduction in the overall funding levels for Somalia in the past two years, and appealed to the international community as a whole to provide the required humanitarian support to alleviate the suffering and hardship endured by the Somali population. Council also called for the implementation of quick impact projects wherever possible, including areas under the control of the TFG in Mogadishu, to mitigate the suffering of the people.
Council reiterated its request to the United Nations Security Council to authorize an adequate support package for AMISOM, through assessed contributions, that caters for reimbursement for contingent owned equipment and the payment of troops allowances at UN rates, as well as to impose a naval blockade and a no?fly zone over Somalia to prevent the entry of foreign elements into Somalia, flights and shipments carrying weapons and ammunitions to armed groups opposed to the TFG.
Council expressed its appreciation to the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) for their commitment to peace in Somalia, and encouraged other African countries that have pledged troops and contributions in kind, to speedily provide them to enable AMISOM achieve its goals. Council also expressed appreciation to all AU partners providing support to AMISOM.
