INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP ON SOMALIA COMMUNIQUE

UNCLAS NAIROBI 004555 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NGAREY AND AF/E E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC PHUM PTER KE SO SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP ON SOMALIA COMMUNIQUE ¶1. The International Contact Group on Somalia (ICG) met in Nairobi on October 19. The full text of the final communiqu follows in para 2. Post will report on the ICG meeting septel. ¶2. Begin text: International Contact Group on Somalia Nairobi October 19, 2006 The International Contact Group [footnote, see below] on Somalia (ICG) met in Nairobi on October 19 to support the advancement and expedite the implementation of the intra-Somalia dialogue under the auspices of the League of Arab States between the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) as the legitimate national authorities in Somalia and the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). The ICG called on the parties to convene at the earliest opportunity the Joint Committee inside Somalia as agreed at Khartoum II. The ICG strongly urged the two parties to attend at leadership level the third phase of the intra-Somalia dialogue in Khartoum on October ¶30. The ICG supported the idea of Co-Chairmanship of this dialogue by the League of the Arab States and Kenya as the chair of IGAD. The ICG expressed concern over the threats of militarization in Somalia and in particular violations of previous agreements reached in Khartoum that would undermine the dialogue. The Contact Group called on the UIC to refrain from any further expansion. The security framework to be agreed under Khartoum III should include operational provisions for military disengagement and demobilisation. The ICG recognized the need for an international mechanism to encourage adherence by the parties to their commitments, including monitoring and verification of the effective implementation of the outcome of the dialogue. IGAD, the League of Arab States and other members will play an active role in such a mechanism. The ICG committed itself to strengthen and harmonize further the international response to the situation in Somalia, ranging from humanitarian assistance, capacity building of the TFIs and local administrations, law and order, dealing with spoilers of the peace process and other security concerns in Somalia and the region. The ICG agreed on the need for the parties to ensure that Somalia is not used as a safe haven for terrorism, and develops good relations with its neighbours. All parties must maintain mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Following agreements reached in Khartoum, the ICG took note of the need to strengthen the security capacity to protect adequately the TFIs to fulfill their governance responsibilities. The ICG expressed its concern about humanitarian and recovery needs in all of Somalia, and the recent influx of refugees to Kenya and other neighbouring countries, and reaffirmed its commitment to respond to these needs. Footnote: The October 19 meeting of the ICG convened jointly by Norway and Sweden and hosted by Kenya, included the European Union (Presidency and Commission),Italy, Norway, Sweden, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Kenya as IGAD Chair together with the United Nations, African Union, and League of Arab States. End Text. RANNEBERGER