AFRICAN UNION
UNIAO AFRICANA
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Email: situationroom@africa-union.org
PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 901st MEETING
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA 13 DECEMBER 2019
PSC/PR/COMM.l(CMI)
COMMUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUE
Adopted by the Peace and Security Council during its 901st meeting held on 13 December, 2019 on the Report of the Chairperson of the AU Commission on the Situation in Somalia, including progress on the implementation of the Mandate of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM):
The Peace and Security Council,
Taking note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the Situation in Somalia, as well as statement made by H.E. Mr. Francisco Jose da Cruz, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the AU and Chair of the PSC for the month of December 2019, a presentation made by the Commissioner Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui and a presentation made by Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission in Somalia and Head of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on the joint implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan (STP); and statements made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia, His Excellency Mr. Abdikadir Ahmed-khayr Abdi and the representative of Sudan in its capacity as Chair of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the representatives of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU);
Recalling its previous pronouncements on the situation in Somalia and AMISOM, particularly Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCCLXV)] adopted at its 865th meeting held on 7 August 2019; Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.l(DCCCXLVIII)] adopted at its 848th meeting held on 9 May 2019, as well as the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2472 (2019) of 31 May 2019;
Reaffirming its respect for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Somalia, and expressing solidarity with the Federal Government and the people of Somalia, as well as its commitment and readiness to continue supporting the people of Somalia in addressing the challenges facing their country, in line with the relevant AU instruments and principles.
Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:
Welcomes the second quarterly Report of the Chairperson on the situation in Somalia, covering the period September to December 2019, pursuant to paragraph 11 of the Communique adopted by Council at its 848th meeting held on 9 May 2019, in which it requested the Commission to work closely with the UN to monitor implementation of the mandate of AMISOM and ensure timely quarterly reports to the AUPSC on the situation in Somalia; and to its Communique adopted at its 865th meeting held on 7 August 2019, in which Council requested the Commission to begin and take the lead on the process of conducting a threat assessment, in coordination with AMISOM and the UN and to inform AMISOM's reconfiguration plan and the locations that will be considered to facilitate the drawdown of the 1000 troops, in line with the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2472 (2019), and report back to Council during the next reporting cycle;
Commends the FGS on the successful deliberations on force generation and the progress made by the FGS in its efforts to achieving reconciliation and inclusive politics notably the hosting of the Somalia Partnership Forum (SPF) and agreement on the Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF), the development of a reconciliation roadmap for Jubbaland and all efforts towards the greater stabilization of Somalia; encourages its partnership with the South West administration including the consultative visits to Baidoa, Bay, Hudur, Bakool and Marka to engage local communities as part of efforts to consolidate on-going reconciliation processes and national unity; expresses concern over the absence of two FMS - Jubbaland and Puntland, at the SPF for close collaboration between the FGS and FMS' which is a critical issue for the successful implementation of the MAF by 2020;
Acknowledges the efforts by FGS to facilitate an environment for the return of displaced people;
Commends the central role of the FGS in facilitating the processes for the conduct of national elections in 2020/21 in which the FGS established the National Electoral Security Taskforce (NESTF) in October 2019 to handle all processes for the coordination of electoral security, and further commends of decision of the FGS, for the first time since 1992, to have legislative discussions and decisions on the election process; welcomes the decision of the Parliament for the first time ever to discuss the election process; acknowledges AMISOM's support as Member of the National Electoral Security Taskforce, to voter registration processes, budgetary requirements and assistance in developing an 'Election Communication Strategy' for public security;
Further acknowledges AMISOM'S support to federal and regional processes aimed at achieving reconciliation and inclusive politics in Somalia. While noting that these includes support to the Galmudug reconciliation process via its deployment of troops to Dhusamareeb in Galmudug on 31 August, 2019 to help with the integration of Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) Forces into the Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) and support efforts to secure delegates for the reconciliation conferences amongst others;
Expresses deep concern over the rise of insecurity in Somalia - even in areas that are expected to be secured, as well as over the Al Shabab group's continued effort to maintain presence across a number of areas due to the fact that they are blend with the population and thus are able to operate within local communities, whilst also using ungoverned areas as safe havens from which they plan their campaign;
Condemns, in strongest terms possible, the 13 October 2019 Al-Shabaab mortar attack inside AMISOM and UN compounds resulting in nine injuries; pays tribute to the AMISOM Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs), as well as AMISOM's and UNs civilian Officers, especially those that have been attacked by Al Shabab;
Applauds AMISOM and Somali Security Forces (SSF) perseverance in maintaining its presence and remain operational in all its Areas of Responsibility for the purpose of protecting civilians, conducting targeted operations against Al-Shabaab and deterring the group's ability to attack civilian; further appreciates AMISOM's activities to secure Main Supply Routes (MSRs), enabling the distribution of humanitarian assistance while enabling the FGS and FMS to extend state authority across Somalia and AMISOM's provision of technical assistance to the Somali Police Force (SPF) resulting in 2,103 trained Somali Police personnel across 18 police stations;
Commends AMISOM for ensuring that its operations are conducted in compliance with applicable International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and in line with the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP); notes that in this quarter the mission undertook a series of Pre-Deployment Training (PDT), to members of the Somalia Security Forces and In-Mission Training programmes covering IHRL, IHL, Child Protection, Women Protection, activities of the Civilian Casualties, Tracking, Analysis and Response Cell (CCTARC), Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), Conduct and Discipline, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV); welcomes AMISOM's effort to enhance its mechanisms and capacity to monitor and investigate any IHL and/or human rights allegation by its personnel;
Reiterates its gratitude to the UN, the EU and other bilateral partners for the financial and material support to AMISOM, the FGS and in supporting AMISOM to assist the Somalis in the implementation of the STP, in particular, praises the UN's engagement to convene several operational planning and coordination meetings as well as joint activities to facilitate implementation of Phase two (2) of the STP and calls on the Somali parties for continued support to AMISOM;
Urges the international community to continue offering sustained support to the ongoing processes within the framework of the Transitional Plan;
Takes note with satisfaction on the progress made on the provision of equipment to AMISOM and measures taken to increase accountability and transparency of UNSOS support to AMISOM as witnessed by the AMISOM-UNSOM Compact 2019 signed between the Heads of AMISOM and UNSOS to address UNSOS support deficiencies and improve AMISOM's contribution in the implementation of the STP. In addition, agreed on streamlining logistics procedures with the UN/AU standards on logistics, factoring in the context and needs of AMISOM personnel, including troops operating in FOBs;
Takes note of the recently concluded threat assessment exercise by the FGS, AU and UN and other relevant partners, aimed at ascertaining the political, safety and security conditions that are likely to pose threats to peace, security, safety and stability across So ma I ia; further notes that the assessment will also inform an AMISOM equipment review and optimization as well as a reconfiguration plan and will assist in the alignment of the AMISOM 2018-2021 CONOPs to reflect the key priority tasks required for achievement of the STP and transition by December 2021, and welcomes the decision of the Commission to implement the upcoming drawdown of the 1000 AMISOM troops, by February 2020, by pro-rata on all the Troop Contributing Countries;
Emphasizes the need for continuous facilitation of humanitarian assistance by AMISOM and commends the work of the AMISOM Civilian Sector Teams in facilitating increased engagement with local authorities and people in the FMS; Appeals to all partners and the international community to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the population in need, following the drought and recent floods that affected parts of Somalia ;
Welcomes the breakthrough between the FGS and Galmudug Regional State in agreeing to the representation in the State Parliament; urges the FGS to continue to take bold steps in enhancing relations with the FMS and collaboratively facilitate the constitutional review, electoral and other related processes; further urges the FGS to facilitate implementation of the National Security Architecture towards achieving integration of regional forces and operationalization of effective SNSF and institutions to guarantee stability in Somalia;
Takes note of the of the UNSCR 2472(2019) para 34 which called upon the UN Secretary- General to conduct an independent assessment of the situation in Somalia, before 31 January 2021, with a view to presenting options to the Security Council on international engagement in Somalia beyond 2021, including the role of the UN, AU and international partners and that the current AMISOM presence is expected to come to an end in December 2021;
Requests the Commission to provide strategic advice to Council, by June 2020, on options for AU engagement in Somalia post-2021, taking note of the December 2021 timeline of the STP for AMISOM's Transition, including AMISOM planned exit, and bearing in mind the need to always safeguard the hard won gains for peace, security and stability of Somalia;
Adopts the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Somalia and requests him to transmit this Communique to the African Members of the UN Security Council (A3), and to the UN Secretary General for circulation to the members of the UN Security Council as working document, pursuant to paragraph 32 of UNSCR 2472 (2019);
Decides to remain seized of the matter.