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| Last Updated: Apr 3, 2012 - 2:47:55 AM |
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Communiqué : International Contact Group on Somalia
17 Sep 17, 2008 - 7:01:21 PM
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The International Contact Group (ICG) on Somalia met for the first time under
the chairmanship of the UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou
Ould-Abdallah, on 16 September in Djibouti to discuss the situation in Somalia.
It focused on ways to help implement the Djibouti Agreement signed between the
Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Alliance for the Re-Liberation of
Somalia (ARS) on 19 August 2008. The ICG welcomed the joint participation of the
TFG and ARS in its deliberations.
The ICG welcomes the signing of the Djibouti Agreement and the establishment of
the High Level and Joint Security Committees. Members of the ICG urge the
parties to the Djibouti Agreement to agree on concrete measures to implement the
cessation of armed confrontation to allow the timely withdrawal of Ethiopian
forces and the deployment of the stabilization force requested in the Djibouti
Agreement. Members of the ICG stand ready to support politically and financially
the implementation of agreements reached in the meetings of the Committees.
The ICG expresses its continued support for the political cooperation between
the two parties including addressing issues of justice and reconciliation,
impunity and the discussion on the political future of the two Parties along
with the implementation of concrete measures enhancing confidence between them.
The ICG urges the Transitional Federal Institutions to fully implement the
Federal Charter requirements within the context of the Djibouti Agreement,
including developing the constitution and the setting up of local
administrations. The ICG renewed its commitment to support the rule of law and
security as well as the institutions.
The ICG acknowledges the important work of AMISOM under difficult conditions
inside Somalia, condemns the attacks on AMISOM soldiers and calls for more
resources from the international community to allow it to deploy at full
capacity.
The ICG condemns the continuing violence in Somalia especially against the most
vulnerable members of society - women and children. It condemns all attacks
against humanitarian workers and calls on all parties to immediately cease all
hostilities and allow free and unhindered access for humanitarian aid and calls
for an increase in international support for humanitarian needs.
The ICG is determined to ameliorate the humanitarian catastrophe. ICG members
urge the Parties to work through the Committees to urgently agree on plans and
mechanisms to support the delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance in
consultation with humanitarian partners.
The ICG welcomes the commitment to convene an international conference on
reconstruction and development of Somalia as agreed upon in the Djibouti
Agreement. The process is expected to take place in phases and the ICG has
stated its willingness to immediately engage in the required preparatory work.
The ICG is deeply concerned by the growing number of incidents of piracy
directly threatening international maritime activities and the delivery of
humanitarian aid. It calls for the urgent implementation of measures to fight
this scourge in line with Resolutions 1814 and 1816 and relevant international
law principles. The ICG welcomes the support provided by countries escorting
World Food Programme shipments to Somalia and calls on other countries to ensure
the continuity of this critical operation.
The ICG welcomes and is encouraged by the political cooperation between the TFG
and ARS and calls on all Somalis, at home and abroad, to fully support the
Djibouti Agreement. ICG members express their determination to support the
consolidation of this cooperation. They further urge all parties to join the
political process to quickly restore peace and stability to Somalia. They
emphasize that no individuals or groups should be allowed to obstruct the peace
process.
The ICG welcomes the recent agreement reached between the leaders of the
Transitional Federal Institutions in Addis Ababa and calls for its
implementation without delay.
The ICG expresses its thanks to the Government of Djibouti for hosting this
conference and for all its support for the peace process in Somalia.
The next ICG meeting will be held at a date and location to be determined.
Present at Meeting
UN, African Union, European Commission, European Union Council Secretariat,
Presidency of European Union (France), IGAD, League of Arab States, Organization
of Islamic Conference, World Bank, Canada, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Italy,
Kenya, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.
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