la galiyey
17 June 2010.
COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 36TH EXTRA- ORDINARY SESSION OF THE IGAD COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
The 36th Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the IGAD Council of Ministers was held in Addis Ababa on 15 June 2010 under the Chairmanship of H.E. Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the current Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers. The meeting was attended by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Moses Wetang’ula, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Abdirazak Osman Hassan Minister of Posts and Telecommunication of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, and H.E. Dr. Tekeda Alemu, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Hassan El Talib Ambassador of Sudan to Djibouti representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan, H.E. Eng. Mahboub Maalim Executive Secretary of IGAD and Hon. Kipruto Arap Kirwa, IGAD Facilitator for the Somalia Peace and National Reconciliation. Hon Joshua Orwa Ojode, Assistant Minster of State for Internal Security, Office of the President of Kenya, Hon David Musila, Assistant Minister of Defense of Kenya, and H.E. Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, Minister of National Security of the TFG of Somalia were in attendance. Invited guests to the Council meeting included, Mr. Fexton Mutapa, representing the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN to Somalia, H.E Raffaele de Lutio, Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia and the Co- Chair of IPF and H.E. Ahmed Salah-Eldin Noah, Ambassador of the League of Arab States to Ethiopia.
After exchanging views on the prevailing political, security and humanitarian situation in Somalia and in particular the multiple challenges that are facing the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia , the Council:
1. Takes Note of the briefs on the current political and security situation in Somalia as presented by H.E. Abdirazak Osman Hassan, Minister of Posts and Telecommunication of the TFG, Hon. Kipruto Arap Kirwa, IGAD Facilitator for the Somalia Peace and National Reconciliation as well as the statements made by the Chairperson of the IPF and the Representative of the League of Arab States, representative of UNPOS, as well as statements made by IGAD Chairperson and Heads of Delegations of the Member States. INTERGOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON DEVELOPMENT AUTORITÉ INTERGOUVERNEMENTALE POUR LE DÉVELOPPEMENT
2 2. Recalls with serious concern the recent developments among the leadership and members of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) of Somalia that gave rise to uncertainties among the population of Somalia as well as the region and the international community at large; regrets that valuable time and resources that could have been used to address priority issues of the state were unduly wasted due to the wrangling and recriminations among the leadership of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs).
3. Recognises that the problem created within the Parliament has been defused with the election of the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan as the new Speaker of Parliament. Expresses confidence in the leadership of TFG and acknowledges the continued efforts by the President and Prime Minister in their efforts to restructure the cabinet. Council congratulates the Parliament for handling the recent crisis responsibly.
4. Expresses confidence in the leadership of the TFIs to address fully the outstanding issues including the formation of the Cabinet. While appreciating support and assistance being rendered to Somalia by the International Community, Council underscores the importance of allowing the TFIs to undertake necessary consultations without undue external pressure and interference.
5. Urges the leadership of the TFIs to forge ahead in unison and tackle the numerous tasks that are essential to pacify Somalia and lay the foundations for the reconstruction and development of the country. In this regard, Council underlines more specifically that the TFIs are expected to take expeditious measures to put in place the administrative and governance structures and institutions of Somalia and accomplish all tasks as envisaged in the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC)
6. Commends the TFG and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a (ASWJ) on the agreement they signed on 15th of March 2010, at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, as a major and positive development that would have far reaching positive implications for the peace and national reconciliation endeavours underway in Somalia. Council notes that the agreement demonstrates, once again, that the TFG is committed to its pledges to pursue a policy of outreach and national reconciliation throughout the country and also underlines that the agreement has strongly been welcome by the international community.
7. Strongly urges the leadership of the TFG and ASWJ to implement the agreement as soon as possible so as not to lose the positive momentum and in order to achieve the full integration of the security forces and administrative structures of the ASWJ to that of the TFG. In this connection, Council calls upon, the organizations mentioned in the Agreement namely, IGAD, AU, and UNPOS to assist the parties in the implementation process.
8. Welcomes the signing of an MOU between AMISOM, IGAD Office of the Facilitator for Somalia and UNPOS on 28 April 2010 to coordinate their tasks on peace in Somalia and improve communications on on-going and planned activities.
9. Emphasizes the need to mobilize sufficient funds in a sustainable manner to pay allowances to the members of the parliament as well as to provide them with adequate security. In this connection, Council requests the partners and the International Community to remain committed in fulfilling their pledges.
10. Condemns the terrorist attacks launched by the extremist elements especially by the Al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam militia causing loss of civilian lives, injury and destruction of property leading to massive displacement of the population within and outside Somalia. Council expresses its support and solidarity with the people and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia in their fight against extremist forces who continue to destabilize Somalia causing immense suffering including abuse of human rights.
11. Reiterates the commitment of the Member States of IGAD to work in partnership with the international community and enable the TFG to assume full control over the territory of Somalia. In this connection Council appreciates the support that has been rendered by the partner countries and organizations in the training of the Somalia security forces upon TFG’s request.
12. Underscores the need to bring about fundamental changes in the security sector to effectively address the security challenges in Somalia. In this regard, calls upon the TFG to reorganize its security forces structure aimed at unifying all its regional commands under a central command .Council emphasizes that the troops being trained to serve in the security forces of the TFG have to be logistically supported and remunerated.
13. Further calls upon TFG and AMISOM to work out agreeable rules of engagement within the context of the mandate of AMISOM and establish a structured coordinating mechanism to ensure a smooth working relationship between the TFG and AMISOM security forces.
14. Pays tribute to the AMISOM peacekeeping troops and the troop contributing countries of Uganda and Burundi and calls upon the UN and the international community at large to enhance assistance to AMISOM. Council reiterates its call to the UN to assume its responsibility by deploying a UN peacekeeping mission in Somalia to take over from AMISOM.
15. Commends the outgoing Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General H.E. Ould Abdallah for the dedicated service that he rendered in the interest of peace in Somalia. Council welcome the appointment H.E. Augustine P. Mahiga as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General.
16. Expresses its appreciation for the support and assistance provided by the international community to the people and Government of Somalia. However, Council reiterates the central role of IGAD on matters pertaining to Somalia and calls for the avoidance of the proliferation of initiatives.
17. Emphasises that the efforts to stabilise the current situation in Somalia require a new impetus. Council recommends to the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government to convene an urgent extra-ordinary Summit at the earliest opportunity to review the serious political and security developments in Somalia and the region with the objective of reengineering the whole process.
18. Deplores the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia and calls upon the international community to urgently enhance their humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia.
19. Having listened to a brief by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti on the mediation efforts by Qatar between Djibouti and Eritrea, decides to encourage the positive developments and also underscores the necessity for Eritrea to carry out all its obligations under the UN Security Council Resolution 1907 (2009).
20 Expresses its appreciation to the Government and the People of Ethiopia for hosting the meeting at this crucial moment
21. Decides to remain seized of the matter. Issued on the 15th day of June, 2010 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia