Statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary General to the IGAD Summit Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya on 17 March 2006 ..............................................................................................
Your Excellency President Museveni, Chairman of IGAD,
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour for me to address this Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government, which is taking place at a time of renewed hope and improved prospects for peace and reconciliation in Somalia.
The year 2006 began with the signing on 5 January of the Aden Declaration, in which President Yusuf and Speaker Shariff Hassan agreed to end their differences, abide by the Transitional Federal Charter and convene a meeting of the Transitional Federal Parliament. The session of Parliament, which began on 26 February in Baidoa is a milestone on the path to peace and reconciliation in Somalia. It clearly indicates the commitment of the Somali leaders – President Yusuf, Speaker Sharif and Prime Minister Gedi - to advance the political process.
I would like to also commend the local community in Baidoa for their initiatives to promote local reconciliation and to demilitarize and secure the city in preparation for the parliamentary session. These efforts, together with the resolve of the President, Speaker, and Prime Minister, and the prompt financial and logistical support of the international community, culminated in the historic first parliamentary session inside the country.
I would like to salute President Yusuf for his statesmanship and his forward-looking statement at the opening session, in which he outlined, for parliament’s consideration, a national agenda including issues related to national security and confidence building, support for international agreements and treaties, and internal revenue generation.
As we stated at the opening session of Parliament, the collective efforts of the international community must now be directed towards ensuring that Somali parliamentarians seize this moment and opportunity to address some of the priority issues facing the country. Our hope is that the members of parliament they will use this session to create an environment conducive to peace and stability in their country.
Genuine and lasting peace in Somalia is the responsibility of the Somalis themselves. Peace and reconciliation can only be achieved by the people, under wise leadership, through an internal inclusive dialogue, encouraged and supported by the international community.
Within the international community, no actor has a greater role in promoting and facilitating peace and stability in Somalia than IGAD. It is a familiar role to all of you and you have reason to be proud of your achievements and your crucial role in establishing the Somali Transitional Federal Institutions. Today, you have the further responsibility of helping to protect, nourish and strengthen these new and fragile institutions. We are confident that IGAD will rise to this challenge.
Excellencies,
The Security Council has taken note of IGAD’s proposal to send a peace support mission to Somalia (IGASOM). Given the complex nature of this proposed mission, the Council requested more detail of the operation in its presidential statement of 14 July 2005. It reiterated this request in its latest presidential statement on 16 March. More specifically, the Council has asked the Somali TFIs to come up with a National Security and Stabilization Plan. It has also asked the African and IGAD to “work out a detailed mission plan in close coordination with and with the broad consensus of the TFIs and consistent with a national security and stabilization plan.” Once the Council has received such a detailed mission plan for IGASOM, it will then consider the “request for the authorization of an exemption on the arms embargo.”
The recent fighting in Mogadishu and the persistent tension in the capital and elsewhere make it all the more urgent for the Somali Transitional Institutions to develop this National Security and Stabilization Plan, which will not only help to address the issue of the waiver of the arms embargo, but will also prepare the ground for comprehensive disarmament, demobilization and reintegration as well as security sector reforms, including the formation of a Somali National Army and Police Force. It will also tackle piracy, another growing security concern in Somalia.
We, the United Nations are already working with the Somali Transitional Federal Institutions and other key partners, including the African Union in the framework of a Security Sector Technical Working Group to coordinate international assistance for the development of this National Security and Stabilization Plan.
Excellencies,
The daunting challenges still facing Somalia call for concerted action and cooperation among all of us: the Somali Transitional Federal Institutions and the international community, including IGAD and the African Union. Each of us has our roles and responsibilities to fulfill. Each of us must play our part in the process. Indeed, IGAD’s renewed commitment in the Somali peace process is a welcome development. The United Nations encourage you to pursue these efforts.
The current developments augur well for peace in Somalia, but a long and difficult road lies ahead. The people of Somalia have suffered for far too long and it is time to help put an end to their agony. Now is the time to build on our achievements by supporting the establishment of functional institutions founded on peace, stability, good governance and the rule of law. With commitment, perseverance, and a common approach, I am confident that we will succeed.
I thank you. |
