precarious humanitarian situation, and the path to economic recovery.
We
commended the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) for leading the
significant progress made towards the creation of a sovereign, secure,
democratic, united and federal Somalia.
We
welcomed recent political advances including the development of interim
regional administrations and the creation of the Boundaries and
Federation Commission and the National Independent Electoral Commission.
We looked forward to the establishment of the remaining
constitutionally mandated bodies, especially the Human Rights Commission
and Constitutional Court, and urged the timely realization of support
from international partners to enable all commissions to fulfill their
mandates.
We
emphasized the importance of establishing the last remaining interim
regional administration by the end of 2015, and of advancing the review
of the Provisional Federal Constitution. We reiterated our commitment to
support new and emerging administrations to build their governance
institutions within the framework of the Somalia Development and
Reconstruction Facility. We emphasized the importance of engaging Somali
society in all these efforts, in particular women, youth and
marginalized communities.
We
recognized the challenges in Somalia that prevent the conduct of
"one-person-one-vote” national elections in 2016. We re-affirmed the
importance of respecting the constitutionally mandated terms of the
legislature and executive, which expire in August and September 2016
respectively. We therefore warmly welcomed the launch, on 19 September,
of the National Consultative Forum, whose goal is to oversee the
development of an electoral process for 2016 that will result in
enhanced representativeness and legitimacy, and reiterated our
commitment to support these efforts. We urged all Somali stakeholders to
engage constructively in the consultations, as outlined in the Federal
Government’s ‘Action Plan for Reaching Agreement on the 2016 Electoral
Process’ and guiding principles, and stressed the importance of adhering
strictly to its timetable to conclude a final decision in December.
Somalia’s
peace process requires sustained focus and commitment. We therefore
expressed our concern at recurrent political crises in the federal
institutions. Recalling United Nations Security Council Resolution 2232
(2015), we urged all parties to put aside partisan interests and work
together in a spirit of national unity for the good of Somalia. We
affirmed that the FGS and its international partners will have no
tolerance for those that hinder or delay peace- and state building,
including the electoral process in 2016.
We
strongly condemned the acts of terrorism perpetrated in Somalia, and
the region, by al-Shabaab, which have cost so many civilian lives.
Welcoming the presence among us of many members of the League of Arab
States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), we noted that
these heinous crimes negate the values of tolerance, moderation and the
sanctity of the life that are central to Islam.
We
paid tribute to the Somalia National Security Forces, the African Union
Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and their partners, for their courage and
sacrifice. In the past year these forces have pushed back al-Shabaab
from a number of its key strongholds, and opened new space for peace
building and building local governance efforts.
We
urged the continuation of joint Somalia National Army (SNA)/AMISOM
offensive operations to recover remaining priority areas, degrade
Al-Shabaab’s military capability, secure main supply routes for movement
of people, goods and humanitarian relief and create space for peace-
and statebuilding. We emphasized the importance of operations being
conducted in respect of international humanitarian law and human rights,
and noted the need for effective planning and coordination among all
partners involved.
We
called for the urgent provision of enhanced support to enable AMISOM to
more effectively discharge its mandate, and to create conditions for
deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation at the appropriate time. We
welcomed the Secretary-General’s intention to present recommendations
that would ensure the UN Support Office for AMISOM is effectively
resourced and structured.
We welcomed the FGS commitment to developing the security sector, and
emphasized the urgent need for a coherent security sector architecture
which ensures complementarity between, and fiscal sustainability of, all
its elements, and that enjoys the confidence of all Somalis.
We
recognized the urgency of developing the SNA, including the necessary
military capability and stipends, in line with the Guulwade Plan. We
acknowledged the support already being provided by international
partners, including the European Union, while noting the Federal
Government’s commitment to ensure the timely payment of troop salaries,
and implement a transparent and accountable financial management system.
We commended the work of the National Integration Commission (NIC) to
advance troop integration across Somalia, recognizing the support of the
United Nations, African Union and Inter-Governmental Authority for
Development in the process, and urged a speedy conclusion to the
process.
We
recognized that military efforts alone will not restore security. We
agreed on the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to counter
violent extremism in Somalia and the surrounding region. As part of the
FGS' mandate to establish the rule of law, we stressed the need to
establish a law enforcement presence in areas liberated from al-Shabaab.
We agreed on the need for increased support to the Somali police
forces, in keeping with a national and comprehensive strategy. We urged
the prompt finalization of such a strategy, as foreseen in the draft
"Heegan” Plan.
We
welcomed the FGS’ intention to undertake an effective communication
strategy to undermine Takfiri and extremist ideology. We recognized the
FGS’ offer of amnesty for al-Shabaab members who are willing to
reconcile with the Government, respect the state’s authority and
renounce global ambitions. We noted the need to ensure accountability
for serious crimes, while respecting the human rights of the accused.
We
urged enhanced support for rehabilitation and reconciliation
initiatives to empower and equip affected youth to re-join and
contribute to mainstream Somali life. We pledged to work together to
foster educational and employment opportunities for all Somalia’s young
people, noting that without access to meaningful and paid work,
political and security gains will not be sustained.
We expressed alarm at the fragile humanitarian situation in Somalia,
recognizing that almost three million Somalis are dependent on
humanitarian assistance to meet their most basic daily needs; that
malnutrition rates are rising, and that spillover effects of the
conflict in Yemen and the potential impact of El Niño are creating new
pressures.
We
commend the FGS and the Somali people for their welcome of refugees and
returnees from Yemen and neighbouring countries, while recognizing that
more than 1.1 million Somalis remain internally displaced. We commended
the countries hosting Somali refugees for their hospitality, and
welcomed the critical contribution of the OIC to reaching populations in
need inside the country. We committed to the formulation of a
longer-term, strategic approach that addresses the underlying causes of
protracted crisis and displacement through the pursuit of durable
solutions for refugees and displaced populations. In this regard we
recalled the importance of the Khartoum Process and of the forthcoming
Valletta Summit in Malta in November. We called for urgent and adequate
funding for critical humanitarian and protection services.
We
appealed to all responsible entities to contribute to easing the flow
of legitimate remittances from the Somali Diaspora, which are a lifeline
for many in need, currently exceeding the total aid budget and
investment to the country.
Noting that long-term stability cannot come without economic recovery,
we recognized the vital importance of infrastructure and the urgent need
to assist Somalia in reconstructing and building roads, ports and a
dependable electricity supply. We pledged to work with the FGS to
rapidly identify infrastructure improvement and investment priorities,
the formulation of supportive national development plans and to support
an institutional environment conducive to economic growth.
We
welcomed the steps taken by the FGS to implement more effective and
transparent public financial management, including the work of the
Financial Governance Committee, and looked forward to further progress,
including the finalization and adoption of the Public Finance
Management, Procurement and Audit Bills. We welcomed the re-engagement
of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Somalia, including the
initial steps taken towards eventual debt relief processes, and the
recent Article IV IMF consultation and urged continued progress on
financial governance.
We
called on all Somalis to work together in the interests of peace- and
state building. We pledge our continued support to Somalia in the
framework of the Somali Compact, and look forward to the next meeting of
the High-Level Partnership Forum in Turkey in 2016 to take stock of
progress and deliverables.
We stressed that the international community remains fully committed to
supporting the Federal Government and the people of Somalia in their
pursuit of Somali-led and owned peace, stability, security, human
rights, and development.
DRAFT COMMUNIQUÉ: HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON SOMALIA NEW YORK 28 SEPTEMBER 2015
Today's meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani, Secretary-General of the Organization