The 21st meeting of
the International Contact Group (ICG) on Somalia was held under the
chairmanship of the United Nations Special Representative of the
Secretary-General for Somalia, Dr Augustine Mahiga, from 5-6 February 2012 in
Djibouti. Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali
Youssouf of the Republic of Djibouti, Speaker Shariif
Hassan Sheikh Aden of the Transitional Federal Parliament of the Republic of
Somalia, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali of the Transitional Federal
Government of the Republic of Somalia, President Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud
(Farole) of the Puntland State of Somalia, President Mohamed Ahmed Alin of the
Galmudug State of Somalia, Abdilkader Moallim Noor of Ahlusuna Wal Jama’a and
the African Union High Representative for Somalia President Jerry Rawlings
addressed the meeting.
Political Process
The ICG agreed that
the Transition must end on 20 August 2012 in accordance with the Transitional
Federal Charter, Djibouti Agreement, Kampala Accord, Roadmap and Garowe
Principles. The minimum essential
conditions include the finalization of the draft constitution by 20 April as
prescribed in the Roadmap and Garowe Principles leading to provisional adoption
of a new Constitution (subject to a national referendum in due course), the
establishment of a new, smaller and more representative Parliament and
elections for the positions of Speaker, Deputies and President.
The ICG welcomed the
Principles agreed in Garowe on 24 December 2011, particularly in terms of
building the momentum towards ending the Transition and defining the parameters
and modalities for the process to move forward.Nevertheless, the ICG stressed the urgent need to broaden consultation
with civil society and other stakeholders in order that future decisions,
especially with regard to the precise method for selecting members of the
Constituent Assembly and Parliament, enjoy the widest possible support. Accordingly, the ICG welcomed plans by the
Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Puntland State of Somalia to hold a
second meeting from 15-17 February in Garowe with a wider group of stakeholders
than before in order to elaborate the way forward and address outstanding
issues such as the nature of federalism and the system of government. The ICG looked forward to receiving an
ambitious and clear timetable needed to deliver the Garowe process.
Looking beyond the
Transition, the ICG stressed the importance of holding direct, popular
elections as soon as and wherever possible at district, regional, state and
federal levels in order to maximize public participation.
More generally, the
ICG noted that there had been good progress in some areas of the Roadmap, but
not across the board. In particular, the
Group welcomed recent efforts by the TFG to reach out to a number of regional
administrations, but reiterated its call for the overdue establishment of the
High Level Committee on a formal and fully inclusive basis. The Group also encouraged all relevant
stakeholders to participate actively in the Technical Committee and in its
several sub-committees with a view to facilitating the full implementation of the
Roadmap (including any necessary mobilisation of resources).
The ICG recognizes the important role being played by
the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and
encourages them to continue their efforts.
Given the importance
of timely implementation of the Roadmap, the ICG expressed its strong concern
over recent action by some Members of Parliament to attempt to replace the
Speaker. Accordingly, it encouraged the
UN, AU and IGAD to undertake further mediation efforts before Garowe II in the
hope of achieving an agreed solution — failing which, the UN, AU and IGAD
should identify spoilers for possible sanctions based on their obstruction of
the peace process.
The ICG strongly
condemns all forms of violence and intimidation against Somali journalists and
media organizations, and urges the Somali authorities to end impunity,
investigate and prosecute those responsible.
The Group reiterated
the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
Security and Stabilisation
The ICG applauded
recent military successes by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), TFG
forces and their partners in response to continuing aggression by Al Shabaab. The Group reiterated its condolences to the
families of the victims, including the relatives of TFG soldiers, their allies
and AMISOM who have lost their lives.The ICG called upon all military actors to ensure adequate protection of
civilians and unimpeded access for humanitarian agencies.
While recognizing
that the improvement of the security situation remains primarily the
responsibility of the TFG, the Group welcomed the combined efforts of the AU,
AMISOM troop-contributing countries, regional partners and the UN in developing
a comprehensive strategic concept for AMISOM.They agreed that an enhanced
AMISOM capability could seize the present moment of
opportunity further to improve the security situation, enable the TFG to extend
its authority and reach out to the population in newly-recovered areas. The Group acknowledged that this would
require adequate, sustainable and predictable funding, including for an
expanded logistical support package, and called for uncaveated contributions to
the AMISOM Trust Fund, including from potential new donors, and for additional
troop contributors. The Group also noted
the urgent need to strengthen the capacity of TFG security forces.
The ICG noted the
importance of establishing functional local administration and stabilization programmer
in areas recovered from Al-Shabaab.In this regard, the Group welcomed a specific and detailed proposal from
the TFG, and urged the provision of timely and adequate resources for its rapid
implementation in order to consolidate the peace, promote reconciliation,
restore law and order, release and reintegrate children associated with armed
groups, revive basic services and strengthen governance at district, regional,
state and federal levels. The Group
underscored the need to converge both bottom-up (i.e. community-led) and top-down
(TFG-facilitated) processes to fill the territorial and political space vacated
by the retreating elements of Al Shabaab. The ICG calls upon Al Shabaab and all
other extremist organizations to renounce violence and embrace the Djibouti
peace process.
London Conference
The ICG welcomed the
planned London Conference on 23 February as an opportunity to focus additional
attention at the highest level on turning the tide in Somalia. The Group reiterated its commitment to
ensuring that the Conference gives fresh impetus to the international community’s
support for Somalia by building on the work of the UN, AU and IGAD to
facilitate the completion of the Roadmap, consolidation and expansion of
security gains and preparation for the post-Transition period.
Reconstruction and Recovery
The ICG remains
committed to supporting Somalia’s long-term reconstruction and development,
which should produce a tangible improvement in the daily lives of ordinary
Somalis. The ICG notes that it will be
harder to secure progress in the military and political process unless genuine
effort is made to achieve economic growth, reconstruction and recovery. To this end, the Group looks forward to the
planned Istanbul II conference in June.Before then, the ICG urges the Roadmap signatories — in consultation
with the UN and major donors — to develop a detailed plan which should include
ways to improve access to basic services, education, employment, infrastructure
and incentives for peace.
International Coordination
In view of the urgent
importance of ending the Transition and reinforcing recent military gains, this
ICG focused primarily on the political process and promoting stabilization. Nevertheless, further progress regarding
security, including fighting against piracy and terrorism, are also key to improving
governance and stability and in addressing the many other issues which concern
us in Somalia — including the humanitarian crisis, violations of human rights
and protection of children. As we
approach the end of Transition and a hoped-for new era of peace and economic
recovery in Somalia, the ICG is committed to becoming even more effective at
representing and coordinating the international community’s response. The ICG therefore discussed various options
for reform and revised working methods, and invited further proposals with a
view to reaching agreement on a possible restructuring.
In the meantime, the
ICG welcomes with appreciation the bold relocation of the United Nations
Political Office for Somalia from Nairobi to Mogadishu, and looks forward to
shifting the presence of other UN agencies and international partners
progressively to Somalia.
The International
Contact Group thanked the Government of Djibouti for hosting this meeting.
Participants
African Union, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China,
Denmark, Djibouti, East African Community, Egypt, Ethiopia, European Union,
Finland, France, Germany, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Islamic
Development Bank, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea (Republic), League of Arab States,
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Netherlands, Norway, Organization of
Islamic Cooperation, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (TFG, TFP, Puntland,
Galmudug, Ahlu sunah Wal Jama’a), South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United
Nations, United States of America, Yemen and World Bank.
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ICG DJibouti: sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
International Contact Group on Somalia 5-6 February 2012, Djibouti Final Communiqué