Communique of the 375th PSC meeting on the situation in Somalia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia  - The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 375th meeting held on 10 May 2013, adopted the following decision on the situation in Somalia:

Council

1. Takes note of the briefing made by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on the situation in Somalia and the outcome of the Somalia Conference held in London on 7 May 2013. Council also takes note of the statements made by the representatives of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Ethiopia, in its capacity as the Chair of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations, the European Union, France, the United Kingdom and the United States;

2. Welcomes the recent developments in Somalia, in particular the political progress made and the steps being taken to resolve outstanding constitutional issues. In this regard, Council welcomes the Federal Government's initiatives to engage regional authorities through outreach and dialogue, in order to foster national reconciliation and unity, as well as the efforts to rebuild the armed forces, integrate militias and address the issue of disengaged fighters. Council also welcomes the agreement for dialogue signed between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and President Ahmed Silanyo of Somaliland;

3. Welcomes the outcomes of the 7 May Somalia Conference held in London and calls for effective follow-up. In this respect, Council urges all concerned partners to honor the commitments made;

4. Commends AMISOM for its continued efforts to further peace, security and stability in Somalia. Council calls for greater support to AMISOM, particularly with respect to force multipliers and enablers, to enable the Mission, with the support of the Somalia national security forces, consolidate the progress made on the ground and further extend areas under the control of the Somali authorities. In this regard, Council urges the United Nations and other partners to assist in responding to these needs;

5. Requests the Commission to submit a report, within 30 days, on the issues raised in UN Security Council resolution 2093(2013), including its response to the United Nations Security Council;

6. Pays tribute to Augustine Mahiga, the outgoing UN Secretary-General's Special Representative and Head of the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), for his commitment and outstanding work. Council welcomes the planned establishment, by 3 June 2013, in Mogadishu, of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Somalia (UNSOM). Council takes note of the appointment by the UN Secretary-General of Nicholas Kay, of the United Kingdom, as his new Special Representative for Somalia, and urges the new Special Representative to work closely with the AU Special Representative for Somalia;

7. Takes note of the outcome of the 9th meeting of the Military Operations Coordinating Committee (MOCC), which took place in Addis Ababa, on 10 April 2013, and looks forward to the effective implementation of the appropriate steps agreed upon regarding the issue of troops-to-task per sector;

8. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.