DEMARCHE RESPONSE: EU CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 000747 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2019 TAGS: MOPS PREL PTER EAID ER SO EUN SUBJECT: DEMARCHE RESPONSE: EU CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE IN SOMALIA REF: STATE 50262 Classified By: Political Min-Couns Christopher Davis for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel points May 18 to the EU Council Secretariat, European Commission and EU Presidency. The same day, foreign ministers meeting in the EU's General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting issued a previously-drafted statement addressing many of the same points sought in the demarche. The Council statement called for an immediate ceasefire in Mogadishu and stated the EU's intention to support further the TFG. It did not directly address the point on Eritrea, but EU Council Secretariat Desk Officer Ragnheidur Roubineau said the EU has passed similar messages before. She said she would try to put the issue of Eritrean support for Somali extremists on the agenda of the Council's Africa Working Group again soon for consideration. ¶2. (U) The full text of the May 18 EU Council Conclusions on Somalia follow: - "The Council condemns the recent fighting in Mogadishu, targeting the Transitional Federal Institutions and the Djibouti peace process. The Council calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities to avoid further civilian casualties and deplores the humanitarian consequences of recent attacks." - "The Council welcomes the steps taken by the new Transitional Federal Institutions to consolidate the inclusive political process, consistent with the Djibouti peace process, towards a successful and timely completion of the Transitional Federal Charter leading to free and fair elections and a comprehensive solution for Somalia. The Council welcomes the leadership which Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has demonstrated in these endeavours and calls on all Somalis to renounce violence and support the political process. The Council underlines the important political role of the countries in the region, expresses its appreciation for the commitment shown by the African Union and stresses the importance of continued international coordination within the International Contact Group on Somalia under the leadership of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Ahmedou Ould Abdallah." - "The Council notes that a stable security environment in Somalia is vital for building state institutions, providing adequate humanitarian aid, kick-starting recovery efforts and reducing the threat of piracy. It expresses its appreciation to the AU and to AMISOM troop contributing countries for their contribution to stabilising the situation in Mogadishu. The Council supports the ambition of the new Transitional Federal Government to focus on the development and strengthening of national capacity in the security sector. The security sector should be firmly committed to the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the principles of good governance and accountability." - "The Council was encouraged by the unanimous support of the international community for the new Transitional Federal Institutions of Somalia, as manifested at the recent International Conference on Security in Somalia, convened by the UN Secretary General and hosted by the EU in Brussels on 22-23 April. The Council recalls the substantive contribution by the EU to AMISOM and to the Somali security sector, notably the Police Force. The Council stresses the importance of building up the Somali National Security Force (NSF) as soon as possible. It welcoms the important financial contributions to th NSF made at the International Conference. Te Council invites the General Secretariat of he Council and the Commission, in consultation with UNPOS and the AU, to study possible ways of contributing further to the security sector, including the NSF, in support of the strategy of the Transitional Federal Government." - "The Council reiterates the mutually reinforcing links between security and development. Recalling the EU contribution to international efforts against piracy through EU NAVFOR ATALANTA, the Council stresses the continued engagement of the EU, including in the delivery of humanitarian aid as well as for reconstruction and development. The Council hopes that efforts directed at demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of former combatants can begin soon." End text. BRUSSELS 00000747 002 OF 002 MURRAY .