SOMALIA: UNSC ADOPTS STATEMENT SUPPORTING TFG,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000679 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF, IO, PM, USUN/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MARR MOPS KPKO UNSC SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA: UNSC ADOPTS STATEMENT SUPPORTING TFG, LEAVES DOOR OPEN ON SANCTIONS ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On July 9, Security Council members adopted a UK-drafted Presidential Statement (PRST) that largely tracks a recent African Union communiqu condemning recent attacks on the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and expressing concern about Eritrea's support for extremists in Somalia. The PRST expresses a Security Council intent to "consider expeditiously" action against parties working to undermine the peace process in Somalia and reiterates support for the Djibouti Peace Process. Under Secretary General (U/SYG) for Political Affairs Pascoe called for heightened international community support for the TFG and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Under Secretary General (U/SYG) for Field Support Malcorra reported on UN progress in providing logistical support for AMISOM in spite of the escalation in hostilities, and called for a longer-term approach to funding the AU mission. Calling the security situation "very critical," Somali PermRep Duale pleaded for additional support for both the TFG government and AMISOM. African Union Permanent Observer Ambassador Ratsifandrihamanana read excerpts of the AU communiqu calling for sanctions against foreign actors providing support to the insurgents and asked the Security Council to take action accordingly. Ambassador Rice condemned recent military offensives against the TFG and called on Eritrea to halt support of extremism in Somalia. Several members of the Council, including the UK, Mexico, France, Burkino Faso, Uganda and Croatia agreed that the SC should stand ready to take further action against individuals or entities carrying out attacks. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) In a July 9 Security Council debate on Somalia, U/SYG for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe urged immediate action by the international community to, "ensure that the TFG does not collapse," in the face of intensifying pressure from insurgents backed by foreign fighters who are seeking to seize power. He scolded the international community for not fulfilling financial pledges made at April's Brussels Donors Meeting for Somalia. He said AMISOM needs to reach its full authorized strength of 8,000 to ensure the TFG's "immediate physical survival." ¶3. (SBU) Pascoe stated that the conflict has resulted in 1.3 million displaced persons, including 200,000 more since the beginning of the recent spate of violence on May 7, ¶2009. He called for donors to rapidly fund the UN Consolidated Appeal, which has received only 44 percent of the US$984 million requested, leaving critical shortfalls in health, water, sanitation and security needs. Pascoe praised the TFG for its efforts to reach out to opposition forces and broaden support including by recently signing an agreement with a major religious group in central Somalia. He noted President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed's pronouncements urging Somalis to reject violence and highlighted the TFG's transparent and accountable financial management measures, which include the creation of a budget to ensure government salaries are paid. ¶4. (SBU) U/SYG for Field Support Susana Malcorra briefed the Council on the systematic progress being made by her department to support AMISOM, in spite of the recent surge in violence. She described the support package's three financial prongs -- the UN trust fund, bilateral support, and the UN logistical support package - and called on Member States and international organizations to redouble their efforts to deliver on financial pledges. Malcorra said that the current short-term approach to funding AMISOM limits the Mission, and she called for a long-term plan to enable AMISOM to fully meet its mandate. Malcorra said that the deployment of international staff in Somalia will be instrumental in the delivery of the required level of support, but noted that this will be dependent upon the security condition. Malcorra also stated that a draft MOU between the UN and the AU regarding support to AMISOM had been approved by the UN controller and forwarded to the AU. The MOU, she said, would set up a system of informal contracts that would enable an accelerated rollout of the UN's logistics support package to AMISOM. She praised Kenya for making available port facilities in Mombasa for the staging of AMISOM materials. ¶5. (SBU) Somali Ambassador Almi Duale told the Council that in spite of the progress made by the TFG, Somalia has become, "a safe haven for militants and terrorists who continue to obstruct peace efforts and pose a threat," to both Somalia and the region. Duale described the security USUN NEW Y 00000679 002 OF 003 situation as critical, with the aggression of foreign fighters and insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians from Mogadishu. Duale pointed to his government's recent successes, including outreach to opposition and progress on a budget and institution building. He said President Sharif had asked the AU to bring AMISOM to its mandated strength of 8,000 troops in order to accelerate the training of Somali national forces. He ended by requesting that AMISOM become part of a UN peacekeeping Mission. ¶6. (SBU) The UK formally introduced a Presidential Statement condemning the recent attacks on the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG),calling for greater international support to AMISOM and reiterating support for the Djibouti Peace Process, while promising that the Council will "consider expeditiously" actions against parties undermining the Djibouti Peace Process. On piracy, the UK welcomed the work of the International Contact Group, and noted its operational contribution to the EU naval mission. ¶7. (SBU) Ambassador Rice condemned the recent military offensives against the TFG, noted the influx of foreign fighters, and called on the Government of Eritrea to cease support of extremists and open a dialogue. She lauded AMISOM's role in stabilizing the security situation in Somalia while urging AU states to consider contributing peacekeepers and UN member states to extend financial support. She asked the international community to redouble its aid efforts to avoid a wider catastrophe, including by working to alleviate terrible overcrowding in refugee camps in Kenya. On piracy, she noted the impressive international response, underscoring that states victimized by piracy should prosecute suspected pirates and refuse to offer concessions. ¶8. (SBU) Libya said lack of UN funding for AMISOM and international community hesitation to support the TFG had encouraged the opposition. Libya called for the transformation of AMISOM into a UN peacekeeping mission as soon as possible, and urged international maritime forces to combat illegal fishing operations off of Somalia's coast. Speaking in its capacity as Chair of the Somalia sanctions committee, Mexico pointed to increasing instability in Somalia and said that the Council should discuss the African Union's request for a no-fly zone and naval blockade, as well as sanctions against involved individuals and entities through the UNSCR 1844 process and against Eritrea more directly. Turkey offered support for the Contact Group and said that implementation of the arms embargo on Somalia and the prevention of foreign fighters from entering the country were urgent priorities. ¶9. Russia agreed that the situation in Somalia continued to be unstable and said that only comprehensive and inclusive action by TFG would succeed. On piracy, Russia encouraged the international community to step up its naval escorts, make efforts to destroy the pirates' financing mechanisms and bring perpetrators to justice. China said that stabilizing the security situation in Somalia was the top priority, asked the UN to boost support for the TFG and AMISOM, and exhorted all Horn of Africa countries to use their influence to advance the peace process. China noted its logistical support to AMISOM and announced an additional $400,000 contribution. France noted reports that foreign fighters, along with Eritrea, are supplying the insurgents, and urged the international community to continue to provide technical and material assistance to the TFG and AMISOM. France emphasized that, "the culture of impunity in Somalia( is a major impediment to peace," and stated that French forces have arrested more than 200 pirates to date. Austria echoed France's concern about the security situation and condemned attacks against humanitarian aid workers. Costa Rica noted its support of the Secretary-General's political strategy and welcomed the announcement that there would be a UN presence in Mogadishu in the near future. Costa Rica also called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and reiterated its support of the Secretary General's political strategy for Somalia. ¶10. (SBU) Japan expressed concern about the influx of foreign fighters in Somalia and called for urgent action to support the Somali government and AMISOM. Japan said it plans to disburse US$ 9 million to the Trust Fund in support of AMISOM and said that the force must reach its mandated strength of 8,000. Japan has also sent two USUN NEW Y 00000679 003 OF 003 destroyers and two maritime patrol aircraft to the Gulf of Aden as part of broader anti-piracy efforts. Croatia said that it is critical that all stakeholders enter the Djibouti peace process and urged parties to respect international humanitarian law. Expressing alarm at the reported interference of Eritrea in Somalia, Croatia said that it looked forward to the Sanctions Monitoring Group report. Burkino Faso called on all countries in the region to comply fully with the arms embargo and noted the African Union's recent decision calling on the United Nations to impose sanctions on individuals and entities opposing the Djibouti Agreement. Burkino Faso said that it supports the African Union decision and hopes that the sanctions committee will shortly draw up a list of individuals who oppose peace in Somalia. Burkino Faso also called for deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission to Somalis. Vietnam noted the ongoing violence of Al-Shabaab against the TFG and urged member states to fulfill their pledges to rebuild Somalia's security forces. Vietnam welcomed pledges of Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria and other AU countries that have agreed to contribute troops to AMISOM. Uganda condemned the attacks on the TFG, urged support of the Djibouti peace process, and called on the UN to continue making the necessary preparations to eventually "rehat" AMISOM troops as a UN peacekeeping mission. Sweden, on behalf of the European Union, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and asked all parties to respect international humanitarian law. Sweden took note of the AU's declaration from Sirte, and called on all States to respect the UN arms embargo. Finally, Sweden underscored that the Djibouti process, "remains the best hope for peace," and stressed the urgent need for the international community to follow up on pledges. ¶11. (SBU) Lila Ratsifandrihamanana, Permanent Observer to the African Union Mission, stated that in spite of increased attacks, the Djibouti Peace Process had been maintained. She stressed that AMISOM lacked air and maritime components, as well as four additional battalions, and called on Sierra Leone and Malawi to rapidly deploy additional troops. She read excerpts from the African Unions "decision" issued from the Summit in Sirte, including a passage asking the Security Council to sanction foreign actors providing support to insurgents. She also recalled the AU's request that the SC establish a no-fly zone and a blockade of Somalia's sea ports to prevent the entry of foreign elements. Finally, Ratsifandrihamanana renewed the AU's request for the UN to reformulate AMISOM as a UN peacekeeping mission. ¶12. (U) The Council adopted the UK-drafted PRST as S/PRST/2009/19 at the conclusion of the session. RICE