UN Security Council urges increased support for peacekeepers in Somalia

[News_Editor]

UN Security Council urges increased support for peacekeepers in Somalia

2012-01-12 23:30:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) Security Council on Wednesday called for increased support for the African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Somalia to better help the country's transitional government.

In a statement, the Council reiterated their full support to the AU mission (AMISOM) and called for predictable, reliable and timely resources to help Somalia's transitional government to implement its commitments to restore peace and stability.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their full support for the Djibouti Agreement as the basis for the resolution of the conflict in Somalia, the Kampala Accord and the Roadmap to end the transition in Somalia by August 2012," the members of the Council said in their joint statement.

Following the recent Constitutional Conference held in the Somali town of Garowe, members of the Council also encouraged inclusive and representative dialogue with the Somali people on the draft constitution.

In addition, they urged the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) to remain united, demonstrate strong political will, and focus on the timely implementation of the roadmap, stressing that future international support to the TFI would be contingent on the completion of their tasks.

Meanwhile, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe urged the international community to provide the TFG with the means it needs to become more cohesive and inclusive, while strengthening its ability to deal with the security challenges, carry out reconstruction and collect revenue.

"Irrespective of the structure of the State to be defined by the constitution, it is vital that Somalis have a national security sector," Pascoe underlined, voicing concern over the impact of the current parliamentary crisis over the post of the Speaker. He appealed to the international community to support the interim Government to resolve disputes through dialogue.

Furthermore, Pasoce said the Al-Shabaab militant group continues to be a threat despite its withdrawal from Mogadishu last August.

"It has stepped up its suicide attacks in the capital. A concerted military offensive of the African Union Mission in Somalia and regional powers may present a chance of defeating them," he said, outlining a strategy focusing on five areas to ensure Somalia's political, economic, and social development. He identified the main challenges facing the country.

The first of those challenges, he said, is to ensure that the final draft of the constitution is completed by April 20 and adopted by a National Constituent Assembly the following month. That would be followed by the election of a new parliament to be sworn in by mid-June.

Other key priorities pointed out by Pascoe are expanding the control of the Government throughout the country, especially in areas that have been recently recovered from Al-Shabaab; improving governance and promoting transparency in the use of financial resources in the country; increasing the capacity of the TGF security forces; revitalizing Somalia's economic activity; and making sure that basic services are delivered to the population.

Nonetheless, Ramtane Lamamra, the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, told the Council that despite the obstacles, there has been significant progress in Somalia, which should encourage the international community to continue providing support. "In spite of severe challenges of a devastating humanitarian crisis, the gains made on the ground have created an unprecedented window of opportunity to further peace and reconciliation, and help the Somali people open a new chapter in their troubled history," he said.

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