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PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 293rd MEETING
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
13 SEPTEMBER 2011
PSC/PR/COMM(CCXCI 11)
COMMUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 293rd MEETING
OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 293rd meeting held on 13 September 2011, adopted the following decision on the situation in Somalia:
Council:
Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Somalia [PSC/PR/2(CCXCI 11)], as well as the statements made by the representatives of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, the United Nations, and Ethiopia, in its capacity as Chair of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD);
Recalls all its previous decisions and press statements on the situation in Somalia;
Welcomes the gains made on the ground by the forces of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), in particular the extension of their control to the areas previously occupied by Al Shabaab, as well as the results achieved by pro-TFG militia in other parts of the country, notably in Hiraan, Galgadud, Bay and Bakool, Gedo and Lower Juba;
Expresses its deep appreciation to the AMISOM and TFG forces for their courage and dedication which made these achievements possible, and encourages them to persevere in their efforts. Council reiterates, once again, its appreciation to the Governments of Burundi and Uganda for their unwavering commitment to the advancement of the cause of peace and reconciliation in Somalia, and commiserates with the families of the AMISOM and TFG soldiers who have paid the ultimate price in pursuit of peace and security in Somalia;
Welcomes the signing of the Kampala Accord of 9 June 2011, which extended the transitional period by one year, up to 20 August 2012, the Roadmap adopted by the consultative meeting held in Mogadishu from 4 to 6 September 2011, which outlined the key deliverables to be accomplished before August 2012, the timelines for the completion of each task and the institutions responsible, the resources required and the mechanisms to ensure compliance by the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs);
Commends the President of the TFG and the Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) for the Accord reached in Kampala, which shows a renewed commitment to successfully conclude the transition and bring about lasting peace and reconciliation in their country, and urges all the Somali stakeholders to continue to demonstrate the unity of purpose and determination required to keep the momentum arising from the gains made in Mogadishu, as well as the Kampala Accord and subsequent Roadmap, by fully implementing the commitments made and sticking to the timelines agreed upon. Council calls on all Somalis, including those in the Diaspora, to continue to support the peace process in their country;
Expresses its gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, for his contribution in facilitating the conclusion of the Kampala Accord, to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia and to the other IGAD leaders, for their continued involvement and leading role in bringing about peace, security and stability in Somalia. Council also commends the leaders of the East African Community for their efforts;
Reiterates AU's deep concern at the humanitarian situation prevailing in Somalia as a result of the current drought and famine, takes note of the outcome of the pledging conference organized by the Commission in Addis Ababa on 25 August 2011, and commends the AU Member States and partners, in particular the African Development Bank (AfDB), who made pledges. Council expresses appreciation to the actors present on the ground, in particular the Somali non-governmental organisations (NGOs), for their efforts, in spite of the challenging security conditions in which they are working, as well as to African civil society organisations, for the initiatives they have taken in support of the affected populations in Somalia;
Urgently calls on the Member States that have not yet done so to contribute financially and in kind to the relief efforts, and to those in a position to do so to provide further assistance. Council stresses the imperative for the continent to rise to the challenge and to extend to the Somali people the support they so desperately need, in a true spirit of African solidarity. Council also appeals to the international partners to provide a support that is commensurate with the requirements on the ground;
Notes with satisfaction the steps taken on the ground by AMISOM to ensure security for relief efforts, facilitate access and provide humanitarian assistance to populations in need, and encourages the Mission to pursue its efforts. Council also commends the Nairobi-based Inter-African Bureau on Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), for its outstanding work in mitigating the impact of the drought and famine, through support to livestock sector, which is the mainstay of the Somali economy, and requests the Commission to keep it regularly informed of the programs and activities carried out by IBAR;
Stresses that the recent political and security developments create a unique opportunity to further peace and reconciliation in Somalia and bring to a definite end the untold suffering inflicted on the Somali people. Accordingly, Council, once again, calls on the international community, in particular the United Nations, to take the steps expected of it and to fully assume its responsibilities towards the Somali people, in line with the relevant provisions of the UN Charter;
Reiterates AU's determination to continue doing all that is necessary to assist the Somali people and facilitate the successful conclusion of the peace and reconciliation process and, to that end, to work with the TFIs in a spirit of partnership. In this respect, Council endorses the revised Concept of Operations (CONORS), as outlined in paragraphs 52 to 55 of the Report of the Chairperson and which was elaborated on the basis of the conclusions of the technical consultative workshop convened by the Commission in Addis Ababa, from 17 to 18 August 2011;
Notes with satisfaction the commitment by Burundi and Uganda to provide 1,000 and 2,000 troops, respectively, in addition to their current contributions to AMISOM, as well as the pledges by Djibouti, Guinea and Sierra Leone to provide each a battalion;
Requests the UN Security Council, in line with its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, to reaffirm its commitment to authorize the deployment of a United Nations operation to take over AMISOM and support the long term reconstruction and stabilisation of Somalia. In the meantime, Council requests the Security Council to authorize the enhancement of the support package provided by the United Nations, under resolutions 1863(2009) and 1964(2010), to take into account the shortcomings identified over the past few months and the fact that AMISOM is a multidimensional mission with military, police and civilian components, with particular focus on:
self-sustenance of the troops,
reimbursement for contingent owned equipment,
provision of the requisite enablers, including helicopters,
deployment of Formed Police Units (FPUs), as provided for in the revised CONOPS,
logistical support for the civilian component of the Mission,
creation, as part of AMISOM and under its command, of a guard force of a battalion size (850), to provide security for civilian staff and protection for the AU, the UN and the TFIs in Mogadishu, it being clearly understood that this force should be in addition to the 12,000 strength already authorized by the UN Security Council under resolution 1964(2010), and
welfare and travel for the personnel of the Mission;
Reiterates the other requests made by the AU as contained in communique PSC/MIN/1(CXXXXV) adopted at its 245th meeting held on 15 October 2010, in particular the steps required to prevent the entry into Somalia, by air and sea, of foreign elements and weapons destined to armed groups attacking the Somali population, the TFG and AMISOM;
Requests the UN Security Council to consider further inputs and updates on the situation before the adoption of its resolution on Somalia, including by thoroughly engaging with the AU and giving due consideration to the requests and other elements contained in the present communique, in a spirit of consultation and partnership, as well as by taking into account the conclusions of the planned mini-summit on Somalia, scheduled to take place in New York, on 23 September 2011, at the initiative of the United Nations Secretary- General;
Expresses its gratitude to the AU bilateral and multilateral partners providing support to AMISOM and calls on them to enhance their assistance;
Expresses appreciation to the AU High Representative for Somalia, former President Jerry John Rawlings, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission, Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, the Force Commander, Major General Fred Mugisha, and all AMISOM personnel for their dedication and commitment. Council further acknowledges the efforts of the former Force Commander, Major General Nathan Mugisha, under whose command, AMISOM forces made notable gains on the ground;
Commends the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, and the IGAD Facilitator for Somalia Peace and Reconciliation, Kipruto arap Kirwa, for their efforts and commitment, as well as for their cooperation with the AU;
Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to transmit this communique and his report to the UN Security Council members and to the Secretary-General, as well as to the other AU partners, to seek their support and cooperation, and to report to Council on the outcomes of its requests, particularly with regard to the resolution on Somalia to be adopted by the Security Council;
Decides to undertake, as early as possible, a visit to Mogadishu to further express its support to the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia, as well as to the efforts of AMISOM, and to assess the situation on the ground. Council requests the Commission to make the necessary preparations;
Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.