AU ADOPTS SEVEN-POINT DECISION ON SOMALIA

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 001690

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

KAMPALA FOR A/S DR. JENDAYI FRAZER
EUCOMM FOR POLAD
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PREL IGAD SO
SUBJECT: AU ADOPTS SEVEN-POINT DECISION ON SOMALIA



1. Summary. The African Union's Peace and Security Council
(PSC) at its 55th meeting held on June 17 adopted the
following decision on the situation in Somalia. End Summary.


2. Begin text:

Communique of the 55th Peace and Security Council

Council,


1. Expresses grave concern at the prevailing situation in
Somalia and its implications for the peace and reconciliation
process in that country as well as for the security and
stability of the region as a whole. In this respect, Council
reiterates its strong condemnation of the fight in and around
Mogadishu, as well as the events in Jowhar and elsewhere in
the country, which resulted in the loss of life and further
suffering for the civilian population;


2. Strongly appeals to all concerned within Somalia to
refrain from any action likely to aggravate the situation, to
seek the path of dialogue and to extend the necessary
cooperation to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG),as
the legitimate authority in Somalia, in order to achieve
lasting peace and reconciliation in the country;


3. Fully supports the initiatives taken by IGAD, including
the communique issued by the Extraordinary Session of the
IGAD Council of Ministers, held in Nairobi in 13 June 2006,
as well as the central role of IGAD in the efforts aimed at
sustaining the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia;


4. Urges the international community to extend all the
necessary assistance to the Transitional Federal Institutions
(TFIs) to enable them to fully assume their responsibilities,
with a view to restoring lasting peace, reconciliation and
stabilty in Somalia. In this respect, Council welcomes the
commitment of the International Somalia Contact Group to work
with the UN, the AU and the IGAD to support the
implementation of the Transitional Federal Charter and
Institutions, as expressed in the communique issued following
the meeting held in New York on 15 June 2006;


5. Requests the Commission, working closely with the IGAD,
to take all necessary steps for the early deployment of a
Peace Support Mission in Somalia, as provided for in decision
PSC/PR/Comm (XXIX) adopted at its 29th meeting held on 12 May

2005. In this regard, Council reiterates its request to the
Security Council to provide an exemption to the arms embargo
imposed on Somalia by resolution 733 (1992) of 23 January

1992. Council welcomes the adoption by the Transitional
Federal Parliament (TFP),on 14 June 2006, of the National
Security and Stabilization Plan;


6. Invites AU partners to provide the requisite political,
financial and logistical support to facilitate the successful
conclusion of the peace and reconciliation process in
Somalia, including the deployment of a peace support mission
in the country. In this regard, Council looks forward to the
outcome of the meeting to be convened by the Commission and
IGAD with all stakeholders to agree on how best to expedite
the implementation of previous IGAD and AU decisions, in
order to enhance the prospects for peace, security, stability
and reconciliation in Somalia. Council stresses the
important role of the Coordination and Monitoring Committee
(CMC) and welcomes the agreement reached on the revised
mandate and operational procedures of the CMC, as well as the
initiatives to convene a Donors' Conference;


7. Appeals to the international community to provide the
required humanitarian assistance to the populations in
Somalia, and calls on all parties to respect international
humanitarian law and ensure access to populations in need, as
well as the protection of humanitarian workers.

End Text.
HUDDLESTON