Security Council Press Statement on Somalia

NEW YORK  - The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Gary Quinlan ( Australia):

On 12 September, the United Nations Security Council was briefed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Kay, and the African Union's Special Representative, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif, on the situation in Somalia.

The members of the Security Council took particular note of progress in the Lower and Middle Juba and Gedo regions of Somalia. The members of the Council welcomed the recent agreement between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Interim Jubba Administration, and commended the Government of Ethiopia, IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority for Development], the African Union and UNSOM [United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia] for their role in facilitating discussions. The members of the Council emphasised the importance for all parties to implement the agreement, avoid actions which could undermine security, peace and reconciliation in Somalia, and uphold the Security Council ban on exporting charcoal. The members of the Council also reiterated their respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia.

The members of the Council welcomed the deployment of UNSOM, and looked forward to UNSOM playing an effective role in support of the Federal Government of Somalia.

The members of the Security Council praised the bravery and sacrifice of AMISOM [African Union Mission in Somalia] and Ethiopian personnel, working alongside Somali National Security Forces. They emphasised the need for AMISOM and the Somali National Security Forces to continue the fight against Al-Shabaab, and expressed their willingness to examine proposals in this context as part of the upcoming joint United Nations/African Union review of AMISOM. The members of the Council reiterated their view that long-term funding for both AMISOM and the Somali National Security Forces was essential and emphasized the urgent need for new donors to come forward and support AMISOM through contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund for AMISOM.

The Security Council condemned in the strongest terms recent attacks perpetrated by Al-Shabaab, including the 7 September attack in Mogadishu and the 12 September assassination attempt in Kismayo. The members of the Council expressed their support to the people and Government of Somalia and condolences to the victims and their families.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the Federal Government of Somalia's commitment to improving human rights in Somalia. In that context, members of the Council expressed their concern at the reports of violations of human rights in Somalia, including sexual and gender-based violence and violations and abuses committed against children. The members of the Council underscored the need for the Federal Government of Somalia to uphold human rights and to hold accountable the perpetrators of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law. The members of the Security Council echoed the Secretary-General's call for the Government of Somalia to demonstrate further commitment to addressing human rights violations. In that context the members of the Council welcomed the Government of Somalia's commitment to establishing a national human rights commission.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the Federal Government of Somalia's leadership in seeking a compact with the Somali people and the international community that ensures Somali ownership, predictable, coordinated and transparent international support, and a commitment to build Somali institutions and capacity, as part of the 16 September European Union and Government of Somalia co-hosted conference on Somalia. The Security Council encouraged the international community to support a Somali-led and coordinated peacebuilding and development plan. At the same time, the members of the Security Council expressed concern at the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the need for continued humanitarian access and assistance to millions of vulnerable Somalis.