INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR SOMALIA MORE CRUCIAL THAN EVER BEFORE, SAYS UN ENVOY

The top United Nations envoy for Somalia today called on the Security Council to take "concrete" steps to help bring stability to the strife-torn nation, stressing that the support of the international community is more important now than ever.

"I believe that today we are at a turning point," Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, said as he briefed the Security Council.

"It is clear that the population and its traditional leaders reject violence and those behind it. Therefore, the support of the international community is even more crucial at this time."

Despite the signing of peace agreements, the formation of a new government and election of a new president, Somalia has seen a resurgence of violence in recent months.

Fighting between Government forces and the Al-Shabaab and Hisb-ul-Islam militant groups in Mogadishu since early May have forced over 200,000 people from their homes, many of them for the second time over the course of the past year.

"The Somali people have endured too much – they have seen their loved ones killed and maimed, been forced to flee their homes again and again and suffered endless abuses of their human rights," said Mr. Ould-Abdallah.

He called on the 15-member Council to take action to help the Horn of Africa nation, noting that "past failures should not discourage us from taking future action to help stability."

While the Government has made important strides, it still needs immediate political and financial support to improve the situation, he said, adding that the authorities in Puntland and Somaliland also need resources to ensure that stability endures.

The Special Representative also echoed the call made by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his recent report to boost the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). "The African Union troops have shown remarkable courage and dedication in solidarity with the Somali people. They deserve the backing of all Council members," said Mr. Ould-Abdallah.

Mr. Ban had also urged the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to press ahead with encouraging opposition groups to work towards peace in Somalia. His envoy noted that due to their proximity, knowledge and interest in Somalia, IGAD member States should be recognized as having a leading role on Somali issues.

He added that the time has come for the UN to show it is serious about moving to Somalia. "Our temporary presence in Nairobi has lasted far too long. We can only work effectively for peace with the Somalis and address pressing humanitarian needs if we are close to the victims of famine, violence and different abuses.

"My office and other leading UN agencies, including humanitarian ones, along with concerned diplomats and NGOs [non-governmental organizations], should move to Mogadishu," Mr. Ould-Abdallah stated, adding that the establishment of a "Green Zone," similar to those elsewhere, will facilitate this process.
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SOMALIA: UN ENVOY WELCOMES LATEST MEETING OF INITIATIVE TO BOLSTER SECURITY

The senior United Nations envoy to Somalia today welcomed the first meeting in Mogadishu of a joint committee set up to boost safety and security across the war-wracked country.

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, said the meeting of the Joint Security Committee in the Somali capital was "an important step towards reforming and improving security."

The committee, which comprises representatives of the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the international community, met on Saturday to discuss the latest developments in the Horn of Africa nation.

It was established by the Djibouti Agreement last year to discuss security issues and aims to harmonize the work of the TFG and the international community, particularly concerning efforts to bolster Somalia's fragile security institutions such as the national army and police.

"This committee provides a key forum for the Somali Government and international community to work together on supporting the security sector at this crucial time," Mr. Ould-Abdallah said.

The committee, which is also mandated to facilitate the disbursement of pledges made at a conference in Brussels, Belgium, in April to boost Somali security, is expected to eventually cover other areas, including the rule of law and security sector reform.
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SOMALIA: SECURITY COUNCIL SPEAKS OUT AGAINST RECENT SUICIDE BOMBING

The Security Council today strongly condemned the suicide car-bomb attack in Somalia that killed the national security minister, Omar Hashi Aden, and a number of innocent civilians on 18 June.

The blast at a hotel in Beledweyne, north of the capital, Mogadishu, reportedly killed 35 people.

In a press statement read out by Ambassador Baki Ilkin of Turkey, which holds the rotating Council presidency for June, the 15-member body offered "their sincere condolences to the families of those murdered or injured in the attack, as well as to the Government and the people of Somalia."

The Council reiterated its support for the Transitional Federal Government, its efforts to achieve peace, security and reconciliation in Somalia through the UN-facilitated Djibouti process, which aided the formation of the new government in February, as well as the creation of a newly-expanded Parliament and election of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

The body also expressed its continued backing for the work of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in its statement, while condemning the recent flare up of deadly violence in the Horn of Africa country.
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BAN DEPLORES ‘CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE’ AGAINST SOMALI GOVERNMENT

BAN DEPLORES 'CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE' AGAINST SOMALI GOVERNMENT
New York, May 28 2009 4:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned the continuing armed attacks against Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, expressing concern at the growing numbers of civilians killed, wounded and displaced by the violence.

Intense fighting between the Government and the opposition Al-Shabaab and Hisb-ul-Islam groups erupted in several north-west areas of the capital, Mogadishu, on 8 May, uprooting over 67,000 people, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home">UNHCR).

"This campaign of violence is aimed at the forceful overthrow of a legitimate government which has reached out to its opponents in a spirit of reconciliation, through an 'open door' policy and negotiations," read a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3886">statement issued by Mr. Ban's spokesperson.

"In the face of this ongoing threat to the peace process, Somalia's government is appealing for international assistance, and the Secretary-General wishes to strongly and urgently echo that appeal," the statement added.

Mr. Ban called on the international community to follow through quickly with the urgently needed financial and other forms of support recently pledged in Brussels to both the Government and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as well as to provide direct bilateral assistance to the Government.

"The Secretary-General believes there is a unique window of opportunity for peace in Somalia, but the situation is fragile and international assistance is needed now."

The Security Council, too, has condemned the recent resurgence in fighting in the Horn of Africa nation, and called for the end of all hostilities, in a resolution adopted on Tuesday. The 15-member body also authorized an extension of AMISOM's mandate until 31 January 2010.
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FRAGILE SOMALI PEACE PROCESS NEEDS INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT – UN OFFICIALS

FRAGILE SOMALI PEACE PROCESS NEEDS INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT – UN OFFICIALS
New York, May 13 2009 3:00PM
Top United Nations officials today urged the international community to continue to nurture the fragile peace process in Somalia and help the country consolidate its hard-won gains, in spite of recent threats to the new Government.

"We meet today at a critical moment for Somalia," Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe told a meeting of the Security Council. "One in which the response of the international community to an embattled Government's pleas for help could make the difference between consolidating hopeful steps toward peace and a descent once again into anarchy and hopelessness."

Mr. Pascoe said the situation remains "quite fragile" following the attempted coup on 9 May by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys and Al Shabaab fighters, and noted that the latest surge in violence is clearly a response to the Government's strategy to reach out and build a critical mass in support of peace.

In a news release issued today, UN envoy for Somalia Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah described the attackers as extremists who know do not have the support of the Somali people, and accused them of bringing in foreign fighters who have no connections to the situation in Somalia.

Mr. Pascoe said that despite heavy fighting, recent months have witnessed newfound reasons for hope, and the Somali people have the best chance in two decades to end their suffering and move towards a better and more stable future.

"The Government's efforts at building a consensus for reconciliation are slowly gaining ground, despite the serious challenge by well-funded radicals," he stated. "The international community must make a vital investment at this time to nurture the fragile peace process, help the Government establish its authority throughout the country and build its security and rule of law institutions.

"Now is not the time to analyze and discuss, but to provide concrete help while it can still make a difference," said Mr. Pascoe.

In January, the Council signalled its intention to establish a UN force, when conditions permit, in the Horn of Africa country. It also requested Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to establish a trust fund to help support the existing African Union (AU) force, known as AMISOM, and to facilitate a logistical support package, training and equipment, in anticipation of its eventual absorption into a UN force.

UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy informed the Council about the three-phase approach Mr. Ban has outlined for UN engagement in Somalia, saying that the incremental approach is the right strategy for the country at the present time. It is important to emphasize, he added, that this is a flexible strategy and not one based on a rigid timetable.

He said important benchmarks for establishing a UN force include implementation of a credible ceasefire, consent to the deployment by all the major Somali actors on the ground, and adequate pledges of troops and required military capacities by Member States.

"It remains the assessment of the Secretary-General that deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation at this stage, in the absence of these conditions, would be a high-risk option, and that an ill-timed mission would fail."

Susana Malcorra, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, told the Council that the gains achieved in building peace by the Somali leaders and the international community must not be lost.

The current situation on the ground evidences that the Somalia's nascent and yet fragile peace process must be protected. Among other things, she said, the disbursement of donor pledges must be expedited.
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BAN RECOMMENDS ‘INCREMENTAL APPROACH’ TO SOMALIA PEACE FORCE

Noting hard-won progress in Somalia but also that the situation remains in dangerous flux, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has recommended a phased approach to United Nations peacekeeping support to the faction-torn nation.

"While the deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation should remain the United Nations goal, realistically achieving that goal will require fulfilling the conditions set out in this and previous reports," he says in a report to the Security Council released today.

Those conditions include the assurance of security for UN personnel and a political process that has gelled enough to permit the diverse political actors to agree on the insertion of international forces, the idea of which remains divisive and could exacerbate conflict if pursued too soon, Mr. Ban says.

In January, the 15-member body signalled its intention to establish a UN force, when conditions permit, in the Horn of Africa country that has lacked a functioning central government since 1991.

In that resolution, Mr. Ban was requested to establish a trust fund to help support the existing African Union (AU) force, known as AMISOM, and to facilitate a logistical support package, training and equipment, in anticipation of its eventual absorption into a UN force.

It requested Mr. Ban, by 15 April, to develop the mandate for the new force that would include support for the flow of humanitarian aid, monitoring a ceasefire and assisting "in supporting the effective re-establishment and training of inclusive Somali security forces, including military, police and judiciary."

In the resulting report, the Secretary-General proposes an approach consisting of three major phases.

The first step would see the UN maintain its support to AMISOM. The Organization will also help build the Somali security institutions, support its political reconciliation process, and provide humanitarian assistance.

The success of this phase, which Mr. Ban says he hopes would last 3 to 4 months, will be gauged through frequent trips to accessible areas of Somalia by relevant UN units.

Then, security conditions permitting, a second phase (also to last 3 to 4 months) will lead to "a light United Nations footprint" in Mogadishu. This phase will see the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) provide direct assistance to the political process on the ground.

It will also have the Department of Field Support (DFS) ensure the delivery of the support package to AMISOM, while the UN country team oversees humanitarian, development and recovery initiatives.

Having satisfied himself of the "acceptability of a UN presence in Mogadishu," the Secretary-General will then refer the matter back to the Security Council to advise and decide on the final phase.

That phase would be a full-fledged UN peacekeeping operation to take over from AMISOM, Mr. Ban says.

In the meantime, he says, he remains deeply concerned at the worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia, and what he called "the under-funding of life-saving humanitarian assistance."

He urges Member States to come forward with additional pledges to the consolidated appeal for Somalia that will enable the United Nations and its partners to deliver much-needed assistance to populations trapped in a deadly constellation of conflict, drought and economic crisis.

Tomorrow, in Brussels, Mr. Ban will co-chair an International Conference in support of AMISOM and the development of Somali security institutions.
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FROM GAZA TO SUDAN, BAN HIGHLIGHTS CRISES CONFRONTING ARAB WORLD

From the widening fallout of the global economic crisis to the suffering of victims of armed conflict, the Arab world faces insecurity today and the potential for more tomorrow, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Summit of the League of Arab States in Doha today.

"The toll in human lives and deferred development has been tragically high," he said in his address to the gathering. "The region's large groups of refugees and internally displaced persons continue to live with their dignity under attack and with little ability to plan for their futures."

Mr. Ban said he remained gravely concerned about the situation is Gaza, which is dealing with the aftermath of the three-week offensive launched by Israel in late December 2008.

"The people of Gaza are suffering, and the situation at the crossings is intolerable," he stated, asserting that the way forward is a durable ceasefire, open crossings, and Palestinian reconciliation.

On Sudan, the Secretary-General urged the Government once again to reverse its decision to expel key international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and suspend the work of three national NGOs that provide life-sustaining services for more than one million people.

The Sudanese Government took that decision on 4 March, immediately after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for President Omar Al-Bashir, who was also present at today's Summit in the Qatari capital.

"Despite the efforts of Sudanese line ministries, UN agencies and the remaining NGOs, the gaps cannot be filled with existing capacities," Mr. Ban noted concerning the humanitarian crisis in the western Darfur region of the country. "Relief efforts should not become politicized. People in need must be helped irrespective of political differences."

Turning to another hot-spot on the continent, he said the present situation in Somalia offers a "rare window of opportunity," and urged immediate support for the new Government that was sworn in last month.

"Those of us with influence on the groups remaining outside of the peace process should call on them to join for the sake of national reconciliation," Mr. Ban said, adding that more must also be done to promote security on the ground, including by supporting the African Union mission there (AMISOM) and Somali security forces at an upcoming donor conference.

The Secretary-General also highlighted the multiple elections taking place this year in Iraq to strengthen democratic representation, advance the political process and promote stability, and said he looked forward to free and transparent polls on 7 June in Lebanon.

While in Doha, Mr. Ban held bilateral talks today with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Amre Moussa, as well as with the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Foreign Minister of Norway and the President of the United Arab Emirates.

Yesterday, he held separate meetings with the Emir of Qatar and the Presidents of Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, Somalia and Syria.

Tomorrow the Secretary-General will open the International Conference on Afghanistan in The Hague, which will assess the current political, security and development issues in the South Asian nation.
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SOMALIA: TOP UN ENVOY PRAISES NEW GOVERNMENT, URGES FULL SUPPORT

SOMALIA: TOP UN ENVOY PRAISES NEW GOVERNMENT, URGES FULL SUPPORT
New York, Mar 13 2009 1:00PM

The United Nations' top envoy for Somalia today lauded progress made in the past month by the new Government of the Horn of Africa country, which has been torn by factional strife since the overthrow of Siad Barre in 1991.

In a statement issued in Nairobi, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah encouraged the Government of National Unity to continue working towards peace and stability and urged Somalis and the international community to support it.

The formation of the Government last month, and its return to the violence-plagued capital, Mogadishu, followed on the 2008 UN-facilitated Djibouti Agreement between the Transitional Federal Government and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia, in which the two agreed to end their conflict.

In today's statement, Mr. Ould-Abdallah said he was pleased by the number of "patriotic Parliamentarians" who have returned to Mogadishu to start their work, and called for concrete diplomatic and material assistance for both branches of the administration.

"President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the Speaker and the Prime Minister have demonstrated responsible leadership in all fields and the unity Government is now functioning from the capital," Mr. Ould-Abdallah said.

He added that the Council of Ministers has met a number of times and passed important measures, including one on the place of Sharia, or Islamic law, in the country.

"All these developments will not only help the move towards normality inside the country, but will also help secure Somalia's image and reputation abroad. There is now absolutely no excuse for any Somali to continue plotting to destroy more Somali lives," he said.

Planning is underway for the next meeting of the High Level Committee that is tasked to look at such issues as political cooperation, justice and reconciliation, Mr. Ould-Abdallah said, adding that there would also be a meeting of the Joint Security Committee shortly.

With the vast majority of Somalis working together for the first time in many years, he said, the international community must do its part to fully support the new Government. "This help is not needed at some point in the future, but right now," he stressed.

He noted that President Ahmed has received offers of support from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Unite States and elsewhere and Somalia will be discussed at the Security Council on 20 March and at the upcoming League of Arab States Summit in Qatar.

In his latest report on Somalia, Secretary-General Ban also praised recent progress, but cautioned that much work lies ahead, with the instability caused by hostilities, abductions and fear continuing to hinder delivery of vital humanitarian aid.

A January UN analysis found that more than three million people in Somalia, a third or more of the total population, will remain dependent on assistance this year.

Mr. Ban noted that among the aims of the UN's comprehensive strategy for Somalia is to help the African Union Mission there (AMISOM) give Somali security institutions the capacity to create a level of security to enable the Djibouti peace process to continue.

The UN Security Council has yet to decide whether to deploy a multidimensional UN peacekeeping operation that would take over from AMISOM.
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BAN WELCOMES SOMALIA’S COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION, BUT NOTES HURDLES AHEAD

BAN WELCOMES SOMALIA'S COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION, BUT NOTES HURDLES AHEAD
New York, Mar 11 2009 6:00PM

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has lauded the resolve of Somalia's leaders and people to press ahead with reconciliation efforts, in spite of the numerous challenges the Horn of Africa nation faces.

The recent expansion of the Parliament and the peaceful election of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed are "clearly testimony of the commitment of the parties to move forward with national reconciliation," Mr. Ban wrote in his latest report on Somalia, made public today.

He said he is "pleased" that the new Somali leader has stated that he plans to reach out to groups opposed to the UN-brokered Djibouti process, urging "all the people of Somalia to embrace the spirit of forgiveness and compromise and put the past behind them for the sake of peace and reconciliation."

But the Secretary-General noted the many challenges ahead for the war-torn nation which has not had a functioning government since 1991.

"The simmering conflict between the forces of peace and those opposed to peace is just one example of those hurdles," he wrote, adding that the instability caused by hostilities, abductions and fear continue to hinder delivery of vital humanitarian aid.

A January UN analysis found that more than three million people in Somalia, a third or more of the total population, will remain dependent on humanitarian assistance this year.

The new report also commended the international community's response to combating piracy off the Somali coast, calling on donors to help fund a Joint Security Force and effective government mechanisms to help fight the continuing threat posed by the scourge.

Mr. Ban noted that among the aims of the UN's comprehensive strategy for Somalia is to help the African Union Mission there (AMISOM) reach its authorized full strength of 8,000 troops and police personnel, and give Somali security institutions the capacity to create a level of security to enable the Djibouti peace process.

The UN Security Council has yet to decide whether to deploy a multidimensional UN peacekeeping operation that would take over from AMISOM, and "there remains uncertainty about whether peacekeeping is the right tool to support the political process in Somalia," he wrote.

He said he will put forth by next month recommendations on developing the mandate for a UN force, including assisting the flow of humanitarian aid, monitoring a ceasefire and assisting "in supporting the effective re-establishment and training of inclusive Somali security forces, including military, police and judiciary," as requested by Council resolution 1863.

The "follow-on" UN force is subject, however, to a further decision of the Council, to be taken by 1 June 2009, according to that resolution.
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SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS DEADLY ATTACK ON AFRICAN UNION BASE IN SOMALIA

SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS DEADLY ATTACK ON AFRICAN UNION BASE IN SOMALIA
New York, Feb 25 2009 5:00PM
The United Nations today condemned in the strongest terms the suicide attack on the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base in Mogadishu, which caused the deaths of 11 Burundian peacekeepers and injured 17 others on Sunday.

"The members of the Security Council express their condolences to the families of the victims, to the people and the Government of Burundi, and to the African Union," Ambassador Yukio Takasu of Japan, which holds the Council Presidency for the month, said in a press statement.

"The members of the Council reiterate their condemnation of all acts of violence and incitement to violence against AMISOM" following reports of further attacks yesterday, he added.

The 15-member body reiterated its commitment to supporting a strengthened AMISOM, which it said played a vital role in helping to bring peace and security to Somalia, and commended the Governments of Uganda and Burundi for their contributions.

In its statement, the Council applauded the ongoing political process in Somalia that led to the expansion of Parliament and the election of a new president, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, who has made taken steps to "strengthen the political process and improve security."

Mr. Takasu said that "the members of the Security Council call on all Somalis to reject violence and extremism, to embrace peaceful means of resolving conflicts, and to support the government towards this goal," stressing the body's "determination to combat all forms of terrorism."
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SOMALIA: TOP UN ENVOY SPEAKS OUT AGAINST KILLING OF AU PEACEKEEPERS

SOMALIA: TOP UN ENVOY SPEAKS OUT AGAINST KILLING OF AU PEACEKEEPERS
New York, Feb 23 2009 2:00PM
The top United Nations envoy to Somalia today said he was shocked to hear about an attack against African Union peacekeepers in the capital that claimed the lives of 11 Burundian troops.

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, characterized yesterday's incident as "unpatriotic" and expressed shock to hear of the murder of the peacekeepers who were trying to help the Horn of Africa nation.

The killings of the soldiers with the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia, known as AMISOM, occurred the day after the Parliament approved the new Cabinet put together by Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke.

"I am sure that this attack was carried out to detract attention from positive developments concerning Somalia," Mr. Ould-Abdallah said, adding that the new Government seeks to help bring normality back to the people.

Somalia is entering a "time of hope," with President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed returning to Mogadishu today, he noted. "For Somalis, those who are behind these killings are well-known and are on the losing side."

There have been several encouraging developments over the past month for Somalia, which has not had a functioning central government since 1991, including the election of the new President in what the UN has hailed as "a fair and open manner" and the creation of an enlarged Parliament.
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