COMMUNIQUE OF FEBRUARY 9 INTERNATIONAL CONTACT

UNCLAS STATE 018300 SIPDIS SIPDIS DJIBOUTI PLEASE PASS CJTF-HOA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS EAID PGOV PTER SO SUBJECT: COMMUNIQUE OF FEBRUARY 9 INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP ON SOMALIA ¶1. The International Contact Group (ICG) on Somalia met on February 9 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, co-chaired by Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer and Norwegian Ambassador Kjell Harald Dalen. Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Membe hosted the ICG meeting. Details of the meeting will follow septel. The text of the communique issued following the ICG meeting is in paragraph 2. ¶2. Begin text of the communique of the February 9, 2007 ICG on Somalia meeting. Communique of the International Contact Group on Somalia The International Contact Group on Somalia met in Dar es Salaam on 9 February to review the political, security, development, and humanitarian situation in Somalia. The Contact Group pledged its support for the commitment of President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed at the African Union Summit on 29 January to engage in political reconciliation leading to all-inclusive governance in Somalia. The Contact Group will further support the efforts of the Transitional Federal Government to ensure rule of law, stability and security, and to promote national unity. The Contact Group welcomes the recent decision of the African Union to deploy a peace support mission in Somalia to help contribute to the stabilization of the country, provide security, and create the space for a continued process of inclusive dialogue and reconciliation. The Contact Group welcomes the pledges of several African countries to provide troops, logistical support, training and financial assistance, and encourages others to support this effort. The Contact Group appeals to the international community to provide urgent support to the African Union and the troop contributing countries to permit rapid deployment, as well as support those who have offered to train the Somali security forces. The Contact Group welcomes the United Nations Security Council Press Statement of 2 February and looks forward to the adoption of a Resolution that modifies Resolution 1725 to authorize the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The Contact Group reiterates its commitment to support the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) and the Somali people in pursuing an inclusive political process. The Contact Group welcomes the initiative of President Yusuf to convene a National Reconciliation Congress to engage in dialogue with clan elders, religious leaders, the business community, and civil society. The Contact Group recognizes the centrality of this Somali-owned National Reconciliation Congress and expects it to contribute towards the establishment of inclusive and effective governance structures at the local, regional, and national level within the framework of the Transitional Federal Charter. The Contact Group stresses that those who renounce violence and extremism and pledge to constructively engage in achieving a sustainable political settlement in Somalia should be included in this process. The Contact Group condemns all acts of violence and extremism inside Somalia, including statements urging continued violence. The Contact Group urges the donor community to provide additional resources in a coordinated manner to the reconciliation process and to enable the TFIs to establish administrative institutions, including for the rule of law, and expand social service provision, as well as to support post-conflict reconstruction and development. The Contact Group remains concerned by the persisting complex humanitarian emergency in Somalia. The Contact Group urges the international community to increase its humanitarian assistance and calls on all parties to ensure free access and safe environment for relief efforts. Concluded in Dar es Salaam on February 9, 2007* The International Somalia Contact Group includes the European Union (Presidency and European Commission),Italy, Kenya, Norway, Sweden, Tanzania, United Kingdom, and the United States, and Yemen together with the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD),League of Arab States, and the United Nations. End Text. RICE