S/PV.6197 Security Council

In accordance with the understanding reached in the Council’s prior consultations, I shall take it that the Security Council agrees to extend an invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure to Mr. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Mr. Craig Boyd, Director of the United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them document S/2009/503, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on Somalia pursuant to Security Council resolution 1872 (2009). At this meeting, the Council will hear briefings by Mr. Lynn Pascoe and Mr. Craig Boyd. I now give the floor to Mr. Pascoe. Mr. Pascoe: Thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to introduce the report of the Secretary- General on the situation in Somalia (S/2009/503). As we all know, after almost two decades of armed confrontation, violence and upheavals, stability will not come overnight to Somalia. However, we have, in the Djibouti Agreement, a structure that provides a path to follow, as the Government, supported by the international community, moves towards restoring peace and security. In the report under consideration, the Secretary- General emphasizes that the key priority of the international community should remain to support the Government in the areas of security, political dialogue, piracy, development and humanitarian assistance. I will now briefly touch on progress in those areas. First, on security, our focus has been to enable the Government to strengthen its security measures and structures. The past few months have not been easy. No one could have expected that they would be. The Government has overcome repeated attacks by foreign- funded, heavily armed groups. Police and troops loyal to the Government are being trained, thanks to the international community’s commitment and support. There is slow but notable progress towards stability. The determined commitment of the African Union and its Mission in Somalia to remain fully focused on the country has been crucial. It is all the more impressive given the suicide bombing last month at the Mission’s headquarters in Mogadishu. A top priority at the present time is to support the Government’s efforts to maintain security. There must be financial support for the Government through the Joint Security Committee. Training initiatives by Member States are, of course, welcome, but they must be well coordinated. I therefore request that all donors work thorough the Joint Security Committee and with the United Nations in order to ensure that the efforts of all contribute to our shared goals. In that regard, we should recognize the significant strides now being made by the Government itself towards managing its resources. Speed is the most critical element with regard to the international community’s assistance in the area of security. Money received today in Somalia will have a far greater impact on stability than that which arrives in three months’ time. Extremely generous pledges were made at the summit in Brussels in April. They need to be fulfilled immediately. Under-Secretary- General Malcorra and I will host a meeting tomorrow with key donors to assess the situation regarding the fulfilment of pledges that were made in Brussels. In order to speed up the process, I would like to suggest that, in addition to contributing to the trust funds, some development partners could start implementing direct bilateral economic and financial cooperation with Somalia. We expect some countries to begin to implement such bilateral cooperation in the near future. The contract signed by the Somali Government with an internationally recognized auditing firm should be fully used to increase the transparency and confidence in the use of such funding. There is also an urgent need to mobilize and deliver additional resources to the African Union and its Mission in Somalia. The Department of Field Support is doing an excellent job in providing equipment and other logistical support through the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA). The representative of that Department will give the Council more details on that following my briefing. On the political level, the Government continues its openness to dialogue in Somalia with all parties ready to commit themselves to peace. The United Nations and members of the international community support that approach and have encouraged internal political dialogue. Meanwhile, Somaliland has again demonstrated its long tradition of resolving peacefully its internal political disputes. To enable us to support the Government’s efforts at political dialogue, we are increasing the number of visits to Mogadishu by senior staff of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS). We must also continue to work towards a significant presence on the ground. Establishing a secure facility for the international community’s representatives in Mogadishu remains one of our top priorities. Moving part of our operations from Nairobi to Mogadishu will greatly add to our effectiveness and credibility, as we join representatives of the African Union, the League of Arab States, Libya and Yemen, who are already in Mogadishu. We also continue to work closely with, and provide assistance to, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which is the African organization for the region and can wield considerable influence on local and regional actors, thus performing an essential role in increasing stability in Somalia. The humanitarian situation in Somalia worsened dramatically in the reporting period due to intensified fighting in Mogadishu, growing insecurity in much of southern and central Somalia, and a deepening drought. In August 2009, the latest United Nations food security assessment calculated that some 3.7 million people, or 50 per cent of the population of Somalia, are in need of livelihood and humanitarian support, up from 3.2 million in January 2009. The World Food Programme (WFP) urgently requires $217 million to cover the shortfalls of 216,000 metric tons of food from September 2009 through March 2010. WFP is running out of food to feed its 3.3 million planned beneficiaries, with limited shortfalls having begun in September. Water, sanitation and health activities also remain seriously underfunded at only 19 per cent. In addition to humanitarian assistance, there is a need for development assistance to begin the reconstruction of Somalia. The efforts of the international community should be focused on building institutions that can deliver goods and services to the Somali people and begin the process of weaning Somalia off reliance on humanitarian assistance. With improved security and political dialogue, the entrepreneurship of many Somalis will be fully exploited for the success of the country. On piracy, we would like to praise once again the critical role played by the international maritime presence off Somalia’s coast. We thank the Government of Japan for facilitating the fourth meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, which was held in New York on 10 September. During that meeting, it was again recognized that the core of the problem is the lack of security on land. In this regard, it is critical that we strengthen the central Government and the regional authorities and help to provide economic opportunities for fishing communities and other rural populations. Assisting Somalia to establish and train a coast guard and rebuild its navy will, of course, be essential over the long run. The recent agreement between the Transitional Federal Government and the Puntland authorities is a step in the right direction and deserves our assistance. We continue to support efforts to prosecute suspected pirates by regional countries. The United Nations is in the process of establishing a trust fund for anti-piracy activities, the terms of reference of which were approved by the Contact Group. I urge all Member States, organizations and the private sector to contribute to the trust fund. In the meantime, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Maritime Organization, the Office of Legal Affairs and UNPOS continue to work closely with the international community and the Somali Government in the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia. In addition to capacity-building, our work includes developing guidance circulars for Governments and ship owners, ship operators and masters; providing an intergovernmental forum for discussions and negotiations on issues relating to the safety and security of international navigation; and reporting on incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships. After years of conflict, peace will not come to Somalia overnight. Stability must be promoted, national and external spoilers must be neutralized. Targeted sanctions can be one effective way to deal with the spoilers. Our approach must be flexible to support the process and to be able to include people on and remove them from the list as appropriate, so that the list can fulfil its political role. Once again, I want to thank the Council for turning its attention to the critical topic of Somalia. It is crucial that we help this country succeed, and the Council’s role is of course essential to that success.

I thank Mr. Pascoe for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Boyd. Mr. Boyd: I have the honour to brief the Council on behalf of Under-Secretary-General Susana Malcorra, who is regrettably unable to participate, due to illness. Please accept her sincerest apologies. Resolution 1863 (2009), adopted in January, endorsed the Secretary-General’s proposed strategy for Somalia, including the provision of a United Nations support package for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the strengthening of Somalia’s security sector. The need for the continuation of this approach and the provision of logistics support was further reinforced by this Council in its resolution 1872 (2009). This support continues to be provided in an integrated manner, which combines voluntary contributions to United Nations trust funds, ongoing direct bilateral support to AMISOM and the Government of Somalia, and the implementation of the United Nations support package to AMISOM that is funded through assessed contributions. Building on the success of the Somalia donors conference held in Brussels in April, steps are being taken to finalize all of the confirmed pledges, which in total amount to approximately $200 million. As previously reported, a critical gap remains between the confirmed pledges and the actual donor disbursements. Therefore, a follow-up meeting to the donors conference will be organized for tomorrow, 9 October, to finalize contributions against the pledges made in Brussels in April. Regarding the Trust Fund for AMISOM, we are pleased to advise that contributions now stand at almost $25 million, up from the $15 million dollars reported to the Council in July. This represents 80 per cent of total pledges, and discussions are under way to finalize the remainder of the pending contributions. Furthermore, the African Union and AMISOM have in recent days finalized the strategic governance mechanism that is necessary to ensure the adequate management and assignment of the available funds to designated priorities. Consequently, we anticipate that expenditure from the Trust Fund will commence shortly. AMISOM has determined that the initial priorities will focus on reimbursement for contingent- owned equipment that is of a non-lethal nature, implementation of a public information and radio broadcasting capability in Mogadishu, and the payment of medical services costs that were incurred prior to the delivery of the United Nations logistics support package. We wish to thank the donors for their valuable contributions and also to state that we would greatly welcome any additional pledges that would ensure the sustainability of this support. The current military strength of AMISOM in Mogadishu stands at about 5,200 troops, or 65 per cent of the full mandated force of 8,000 soldiers. Burundi and Uganda have each deployed three battalions, and both countries have also offered to provide an additional — or fourth — battalion. These increases, together with the offer of Djibouti to contribute a special forces unit of 4,000, will bring AMISOM very close to its full mandated strength. I would like to take this opportunity to brief the Council on the key achievements and the progress in the provision of the United Nations support package. The General Assembly approved funding of $139 million in June 2009 and the Department of Field Support, through the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA), has now initiated the delivery of the support package. In late August, AMISOM troops in Mogadishu commenced consuming United Nations-provided fresh food. The contractor provides the food in Mombasa, Kenya, and UNSOA then arranges for the regular shipment of the consignments to Mogadishu, where it is stored in a centralized refrigerated facility before being issued to the contingent kitchens on a once- or twice-daily basis. A fuel contract has been awarded and the Somalia-based vendor will commence delivery shortly. Procurement action for aero-medical evacuation services is almost complete and the contract will be awarded by the end of October. United Nations contracts are already in place with various hospitals in Nairobi. Construction services contracts for mission headquarters, a level II medical facility and the erection of prefabricated structures for offices, accommodations and ablutions and sanitation systems should be approved shortly. Members of the Council will recall that the interim life-support supplies for AMISOM were originally supplied by a Member State and its vendor. Much of that effort was focused on providing the services I have just mentioned — food, fuel and medical services. As the United Nations support arrangements come into effect, we are progressively phasing down the support being received from the Member State and its vendor. In addition to transferring the life-support supplies to United Nations arrangements, we have made some progress in establishing other United Nations-provided services. A strategic communications network has been established that now links the AMISOM Force Headquarters in Mogadishu with AMISOM Mission Headquarters and the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA) in Nairobi. This network provides AMISOM with a relatively secure communications link, which for the first time since the Force was deployed to Mogadishu is no longer reliant on Somali-based commercial providers. Maritime vessels have been contracted to provide sea freight services between Mombasa and Mogadishu, with four voyages having been successfully completed in the last two months. I wish to acknowledge and extend our appreciation to the international Maritime Task Force, especially Operation Atalanta, for the escort and security assistance offered to those activities. Since mid-August, United Nations-owned equipment worth $7 million has been consigned to Mogadishu on those vessels. Those consignments included communications and radio broadcast equipment, field defence stores, critical medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, airport fire-fighting capacities, prefabricated buildings, generators, armoured vehicles and a range of engineering equipment intended to assist AMISOM in improving its security and living conditions. Each of these consignments has been conducted in a scheduled manner so as to ensure that valuable equipment is not merely stockpiled in Mogadishu but has a planned and immediate use. In addition, most consignments are normally preceded by training, in Entebbe or Mombasa, to prepare AMISOM troops to operate and maintain the United Nations-owned equipment, as well as to instruct the troops on United Nations accountability and stock-control procedures. To implement those supply arrangements in a timely manner, UNSOA has leased a commercial property in Mombasa to function as a temporary logistics depot, while work is proceeding to prepare the site that the Government of Kenya has kindly granted for United Nations use. In the immediate aftermath of the 17 September suicide attacks, UNSOA was well placed to respond rapidly to the call for assistance. Through the prompt arrangement of flights, ambulances and hospitalization it was possible to evacuate most of the critically injured to higher-level medical facilities in Nairobi within less than eight hours of the attacks. The remaining seriously injured and the deceased were transported promptly the next morning to Nairobi and their respective home countries. On this tragic subject, I would like to acknowledge and extend our appreciation for the assistance that France provided by assigning an aircraft to assist with the medical evacuation operation. Allow me also to express my sincere condolences to the families of the AMISOM soldiers who lost their lives during these attacks. Further to the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union on 12 July, support implementation agreements are being finalized with AMISOM to formally specify and define the support arrangements and mutual responsibilities for the delivery of the United Nations package. Arrangements with the United Nations Office in Nairobi for the provision of office accommodation are now complete, and UNSOA has recently occupied offices in a new, prefabricated complex within the United Nations compound. By the end of October, the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) will co-locate in buildings adjoining UNSOA. Finally, an agreement with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia has also been developed to allow both UNSOA and UNPOS to conduct their work in the country, and that document is awaiting final approval and signature. Each of the four maritime vessels that have transported UNSOA consignments to AMISOM has been attacked. Three were subjected to mortar attacks in Mogadishu harbour, and one was the target of an unsuccessful pirate attack. In addition, on 17 September and immediately following the two vehicle-borne suicide attacks, four AMISOM soldiers from Uganda lost their lives during a mortar attack on the UNSOA- established centralized food-handling setup. The Department of Field Support is fully committed to supporting AMISOM, but Mogadishu is a particularly challenging environment, and continued attacks against AMISOM facilities and United Nations- contracted ships will impact and potentially slow our capacity to deliver the mandated support package. In recent months, limited numbers of UNSOA international staff have visited most of the AMISOM sites for short periods. UNSOA will maximize the use of AMISOM military personnel to assist in delivering essential United Nations support services, until the security situation allows more effective use of United Nations contractors and civilian staff. In conclusion, I would like to salute AMISOM for the commitment and resilience of its personnel, particularly the troops from Burundi and Uganda. Despite constant and extreme threats, they continue to resolutely perform their mandated tasks. Again, I express my condolences to the families of the deceased, and note that the supreme sacrifice made by those 17 soldiers reminds us of the very real urgency of providing timely and adequate support to the AMISOM forces in Mogadishu. I would also like to report that, in providing the support to AMISOM as mandated by this Council, UNSOA maintains very close working relationships with the AMISOM Mission and Force Headquarters. The tragic attacks of 17 September demonstrated that UNSOA and AMISOM are now better coordinated and are working increasingly well together. I would also like to express appreciation to the Government of Kenya for the full support and cooperation it has extended to UNSOA. In addition to the support provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the customs authorities and other Government agencies, the Kenyan Government recently made available 10 acres of land adjacent to Mombasa airport for the establishment of a logistics support base. Work is under way to conclude the agreement with the Kenyan Government and begin work at the new site. Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to the Council for its support of UNSOA. Its continued support and understanding, particularly in view of the difficult situation in Somalia, is highly appreciated.

I thank Mr. Boyd for his briefing. I will now give the floor to members of the Council who wish to make statements. I give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom. Sir John Sawers (United Kingdom): May I start by congratulating you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of this Council, my first chance to do so. I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe and Mr. Boyd for their briefings, and the Secretary- General for his latest comprehensive report (S/2009/503). We are very grateful for the hard work of the United Nations Secretariat, the Special Representative and his team, in very difficult circumstances, because Somalia has been one of the most difficult issues on the Council’s agenda during my two-and-a-bit years here. The Council has taken some significant steps in the past few months towards a more stable Somalia, and we welcome Under-Secretary-General Pascoe’s judgement that, however slowly, Somalia is moving in the right direction. Particularly notable is the programme support for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and the work of the Department of Field Support in delivering that package is admirable and especially welcome. I believe that we have the right strategy in place now — the Djibouti Agreement, the presence of AMISOM supported by the United Nations, international support for the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and its security forces, and the engagement of the United Nations on the political and humanitarian aspects. It is now a question of seeing that strategy through. However, as we all know, the situation in Somalia remains extremely fragile. As the Secretary-General’s report sets out, we have to intensify implementation on all strands of our strategy. First, on the humanitarian side, the situation remains deeply disturbing. As Under-Secretary-General Pascoe reported, over 50 per cent of the population now needs assistance. The United Kingdom has committed a further £2 million to addressing urgent humanitarian needs there, on top of our previous commitments, and the Council needs to continue to support the TFG and the United Nations agencies able to operate in Somalia in delivering basic security, food and health care to the Somali people. Secondly, we need to sustain international support for the TFG and its efforts to engage in dialogue and reconciliation. The Transitional Federal Government needs to extend its influence through reconciliation with groups still outside the broad coalition that is now backing it. This means inclusive politics at the national, regional and local levels, and the international community must play its part by disbursing the funds pledged in Brussels in April. In line with resolution 1844 (2008), it is important that all States support the Djibouti process and the TFG as the legitimate Government of Somalia. The United Kingdom is concerned at the evidence in the latest report from the Somalia Monitoring Group that Eritrea has provided support to those opposing the TFG in Somalia, in breach of United Nations resolutions and the United Nations arms embargo. Leaders of the African Union have requested the Security Council to impose sanctions on Eritrea in response. The United Kingdom stands ready to support such action. The Council will need to give serious consideration to the African Union’s request over the coming weeks. The Council’s resolutions, including resolution 1862 (2009) on Djibouti, must be upheld and the stability of Somalia must be promoted. Thirdly, we believe that the Council should maintain its support for AMISOM, which is playing a critical role in supporting the TFG. The United Kingdom also urges Member States to provide further contributions to the AMISOM Trust Fund. The United Nations Political Office for Somalia should continue to increase its presence in that country as the security situation allows. We welcome the further details that the Under-Secretary-General has given us today on that. I pay tribute to the role that Uganda and Burundi are playing in AMISOM, a difficult operation under difficult circumstances. We condemn the recent attacks in Mogadishu and join others in offering our sympathy to the Governments and condolences to the families of those killed and injured. Lastly, the Council must continue to play its part in addressing the threat from piracy, including by renewing the legal authority for operations against pirates later this year. The long-term solution to piracy can come only by re-establishing the rule of law in Somalia, but in the short term active counter-piracy operations are essential to deterring and containing the problem and to protecting the sea lanes around the Horn of Africa. The Council has taken significant steps over the past few months to improve the prospects for a more stable Somalia. The coming months now need to be used to make sure that these actions are translated into tangible improvements in the lives of the people of the country. The conflict in Somalia remains one of the most troubling in Africa; resolving it and maintaining stability will remain among the biggest challenges to the Security Council over the coming months and years.

I should like to begin by thanking Under-Secretary-General Pascoe and Mr. Boyd for their briefings. Let me also welcome the Permanent Representative of Somalia to the Council today. The United States continues to watch events in Somalia with concern. We believe that the key to long- term peace and stability lies in the establishment of effective governance based on the process of inclusive political dialogue and reconciliation among those committed to peace. As such, the United States applauds the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) for its recent efforts, including new Cabinet appointments that bring greater experience and expertise into key ministries. We see the TFG’s continuing work to reach out to armed elements in order to bring them into the Djibouti peace process as another sign of progress. We also welcome other recent developments, including the creation of a commission for security and pacification to reform the TFG’s security forces and law enforcement agencies, and the designation of the Minister of Women’s Development as the TFG’s focal point for human rights. Unfortunately, this is only part of the picture. As the Secretary-General’s report (S/2009/503) shows, Somalia still endures persistent insecurity. The United States, along with others, condemns in the strongest terms the continuing military offensives against the TFG and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), including the 17 September attacks by Al-Shabaab against AMISOM headquarters that killed 21 people. We express our sincere condolences to the Ugandan and Burundian people for those who were lost, and our hopes for a full and swift recovery for those who were wounded. Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups fuelled by outside actors have caused numerous deaths and violated the rights of Somali citizens with impunity, including by assaulting, detaining and illegally arresting civilians. The issue of outside actors is a serious one. The Somalia sanctions Committee’s Monitoring Group has reported that Eritrea has provided political, financial and military support to armed opposition groups in Somalia. The efforts of the international community to engage the Eritrean Government on its regional relations have been rebuffed. It is time for the international community to consider ways to address Eritrea’s destabilizing impact on Somalia and the region. Against that backdrop, support for the TFG and AMISOM should be central to our support for the Somali peace process. AMISOM has demonstrated an impressive ability to protect strategic positions under sustained attack by insurgents, and we commend its personnel for their heroism. The United States strongly supports funding a logistical support package for AMISOM, and my Government will continue to provide equipment and training to AMISOM troop- contributing countries. At the same time, we must work to improve Somalia’s domestic security sector. The Secretary- General’s report highlights the need to harmonize the content and duration of training for TFG troops. With this in mind, we recommend greater coordination of international efforts to train and equip the TFG’s security and police forces in order to ensure stronger, more effective forces. The devastating humanitarian situation in Somalia caused by violence is now being worsened by the deepening drought in the country’s central and northern regions. Ongoing fighting endangers the delivery of food and other humanitarian aid to some 3.7 million Somalis in need of assistance. With dismay, we note that in July supplies to treat and prevent malnutrition in 85,000 children Somali children were delayed due to security concerns. Aid workers have also found themselves in danger. The United States denounces the violence against humanitarian agencies and their staff. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of those aid workers still held by armed groups in Somalia. Piracy continues to be an obstacle to the delivery of assistance. International efforts to prosecute suspected pirates should be strengthened and broadened to ensure an environment in which aid and supplies can be transported safely. The United States remains the largest bilateral donor of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, having provided more than $150 million in food and non-food emergency assistance in the past fiscal year. We are concerned, however, about reports of diversions of humanitarian assistance by Al-Shabaab — diversions that hurt the people of Somalia but strengthen Al-Shabaab in its war against the TFG. We have therefore reviewed our emergency programmes to ensure that we are doing all that we can to help the people of Somalia, and have asked our implementing partners to exercise increased diligence to avoid such diversions. The United States looks forward to continuing to work with the United Nations and all Member States to forge a stable, secure and more prosperous Somalia.

We thank Under- Secretary-General Pascoe and Mr. Boyd for their comprehensive briefings. We welcome the Secretary- General’s report (S/2009/503). As we indicated during our deliberations in July, Somalia is passing through a very delicate period. Developments on the ground have not yet reached an irreversible point at which we can say that the authority of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in and around the capital has been consolidated. Turkey fully supports the Transitional Federal Government as the only legitimate authority in Somalia. We welcome the outreach policy pursued by the Government vis-à-vis the opposition groups. We believe that it is incumbent on us to continuously appeal to all groups within and outside Somalia and convince them that there is no military solution to the Somali question and that the only road towards a peaceful future is through the Djibouti peace process. We commend the crucial role played by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). We strongly condemn the attack perpetrated on 17 September against AMISOM soldiers. We express once again our condolences to the Governments of Uganda and Burundi. We encourage African Union member States to join Uganda and Burundi in strengthening AMISOM’s presence on the ground by deploying troops. That would undoubtedly help to extend AMISOM’s presence to key areas beyond Mogadishu. We also encourage the Department of Field Support to continue its support for AMISOM, so that it can effectively implement its mandate. To that end, the expeditious deployment of the logistical support package will be vital. We welcome the fact that it is a high priority for the United Nations to improve the living conditions of AMISOM personnel. Likewise, it is imperative that the funds pledged to AMISOM at the Brussels donors conference last April be transferred without delay. In that context, we welcome the convening of a follow-up conference tomorrow. I can say that we have already transferred half of the funds that we have pledged to AMISOM. We have also made available part of our other pledge, for the restructuring of the transitional security institutions in Somalia. As we have indicated on several previous occasions, we are prepared to train AMISOM peacekeepers and Somali police officers in Turkey, in cooperation with the United Nations. Undoubtedly, it is of crucial importance that the Somali security institutions be strengthened. In that regard, we welcome the fact that Somalia’s Joint Security Committee has held various meetings since July. We encourage all Member States to interact with the Committee with a view to supporting its efforts to coordinate financial assistance for the private sector, policy development and the reorganization of Somalia’s security forces. We are concerned about the deterioration of the security situation in and beyond Mogadishu, owing to the continued fighting between the Government and the insurgents. We would also like to join other members of the Council in expressing our concern at the worsening of the humanitarian situation in the country. The fact that 50 per cent of the population is in need of humanitarian support makes even more difficult the work of the Government to consolidate its authority, restore law and order, deliver administrative and other basic services, and effectively manage the transition. The sustained support of the international community will be essential in that regard. We are closely following the Secretariat’s work on the plan for a future United Nations peacekeeping operation to follow AMISOM, subject to a new decision to be taken by the Security Council. Turkey fully supports the three-phased approach of the Secretary-General, as endorsed in Security Council resolution 1872 (2009). We welcome the United Nations efforts towards the implementation of that incremental approach, the second stage of which calls for the development of a light-footprint United Nations presence in Mogadishu. We certainly understand the prudent approach advised by the Secretary-General in his report as regards the implementation of this phase, especially when one considers that the security risk assessed for Mogadishu continues to be high. Finally, I have to say that we fully agree with our British and American colleagues on the importance of fighting against piracy off the coast of Somalia. Turkey remains committed to contributing to the ongoing international efforts in that direction.

I thank Under-Secretary- General Pascoe and Mr. Boyd for their informative briefings this morning. We are seriously concerned about the security situation in Somalia. The continuing attacks against the Transitional Federal Government by opposition groups are worsening security and the humanitarian situation. Japan condemns the attack on the headquarters of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in Mogadishu on 17 September and expresses its heartfelt sympathy to the victims and their families. We also pay tribute to AMISOM for its dedicated efforts under very difficult conditions. We support the Secretary-General’s incremental approach to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1872 (2009) on the basis of a three-stage approach. The first stage is the reinforcement of AMISOM and the provision of the requisite field support. We are very pleased that this effort is being made to reach the authorized strength of the Mission and achieve stability, and we commend in particular the recent deployment of an additional battalion by Burundi. We also welcome the pledges of additional troops made by Burundi and Uganda, as well as the new pledge by Djibouti. We hope that those pledges will be fulfilled. The African Union has a key role in coordination, including logistical support, for countries that have pledged to deploy troops on the ground. We appreciate the Secretariat’s efforts, as described by Mr. Boyd, in steadily implementing the AMISOM logistical support package. We welcome in particular the establishment of a secure strategic communications network with Headquarters, as well as the deployment of various types of support. As for the second stage, we note that the Secretariat has begun its preparations for the establishment of a “light footprint” in Mogadishu. However, it should be stressed that, for the actual implementation of the second stage, essential measures — namely, security facilities and anti- terrorism measures — must be taken to ensure the security of staff, which is key. Insecurity remains the most critical challenge for Somalia, so enhancing security is a matter of the highest priority. Bilateral and multilateral support has been provided to strengthen the Somali National Security Forces and the Somali Police Force, and a meeting has been convened between the Joint Security Committee, the United Nations and the African Union. It is important that this support will be provided in a coordinated manner. Japan commends the Government for its efforts to promote the Djibouti process and reach out to opposition groups. At the same time, we condemn the continuing flow of external support to opposition groups and criminal activities. We are ready to participate in the work of the Somalia Sanctions Committee to effectively implement Security Council resolution 1844 (2008). Together with strengthening security institutions, it is necessary to support the capacity-building of the Government and regional authorities. Japan welcomes the signing of the agreement between the Government and Puntland to strengthen cooperation in such fields as institution-building, security and anti-piracy operations. At the same time, we are concerned about the political instability in Somaliland created by the election process. We hope that the tension among parties will be contained. The political and economic situations in these areas are, of course, divergent from those in south-central Somalia, but the international community should continue to support the stability of Somalia as a whole by providing assistance that corresponds to the needs in its various areas. Japan welcomes the commendable efforts of many countries to address the issue of piracy off the coast of Somalia. The Security Council has adopted relevant resolutions, and the maritime operations conducted by various countries and organizations has made indispensable contributions. As part of its efforts, Japan chaired the fourth plenary meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, as referred to by the Under- Secretary-General. The number of countries participating in the Contact Group has increased significantly, which is a clear sign that the engagement of the international community is expanding. The Contact Group agreed to establish a trust fund for the prosecution of piracy and confirmed the need to strengthen international organizations, such as the International Maritime Organization, and the capacity of States in the region. Such an effort would contribute to the strengthening of regional and international partnerships. In conclusion, it is clear that the stability of Somalia is essential to address the root causes of the piracy issue. To that end, it is our hope that the Contact Group on Piracy and the International Contact Group on Somalia will promote information-sharing and synergy for outreach activities.

We, too, are grateful to Under-Secretary- General Pascoe and Mr. Boyd for their briefings. We are seriously concerned by the acuteness of the armed confrontation in Somalia and the general security situation. The death on 17 September of 21 peacekeepers of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) gives rise to feelings of deep regret and outrage. We express our sincere condolences in that regard. The combativeness of the unreconciled opposition and the relentless attacks on Government and AMISOM positions clearly lead to an atmosphere of lawlessness, fear, and insecurity in the country, and significantly complicate the actions of the Transitional Federal Government to establish effective governance throughout the country. We believe that, despite the positive signs of the temporary success in combating the insurgents and the factional clashes within their ranks, unfortunately, these trends do not seem to be irreversible. Armed groups making their living from crime operate on the majority of the national territory and many civilians as well as United Nations and humanitarian personnel suffer as a result. We are again forced to note that, without serious and sustainable stabilization in the field of security, it will be essentially impossible to move significantly forward with the tasks of normalizing the situation, State-building and resolving issues in the economic and humanitarian fields. Combating piracy off the coast of Somalia remains a pressing task, and Russia is actively participating in the efforts of the international community in this area. Unfortunately, the ongoing instability throughout the country significantly contributes to the problem of piracy in the region. We continue to believe that these issues must be resolved in a comprehensive way. The international community should expand its participation through agreed action in the security field, including efforts on the part of the European Union, African Union and other relevant organizations focused on building the capacity of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. Of course, of equal importance are efforts to alleviate the consequences of the humanitarian crisis, which only contributes to the difficulties on the path to national reconciliation. Under the current conditions, it is clear that the leading role in tackling the issue of strengthening security falls to the African Union. We welcome the decision of the leadership of Burundi to remain within AMISOM, despite the losses that country sustained as a result of the attack on Burundian peacekeepers. Bringing the Mission rapidly up to strength, including by ensuring sufficient logistical supplies, is of critical importance to the effectiveness of this operation. At the same time, we also believe that the AMISOM mandate enshrined in resolution 1744 (2007) is sufficient to assist the Government of Somalia to resolve the situation in the country. One cannot but agree with the conclusion that the conditions for a fully fledged United Nations peacekeeping operation in Somalia are regrettably not yet present. There is not yet any peace to keep. Nonetheless, we believe that it is necessary to continue to work on the question of the possible deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation, as well as on the modalities of integrating AMISOM into such an operation. Russia is a consistent advocate of achieving sustainable peace and national reconciliation in Somalia on the basis of the Djibouti Agreement in the interest of strengthening stability and security throughout the region. The peace process requires the mobilization of efforts first and foremost by the Somalis themselves and the involvement of all main political forces that are not tainted by having conducted terrorist crimes. We support the efforts of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and the national Government of Somalia in this area. We expect these efforts to be stepped up to provide sustainability to the political process. An important precondition for the success of a settlement in Somalia and the normalization of the situation in the country as a whole is broad support for the Somali Government, first and foremost from neighbouring countries. We call upon the States of the region not to allow the flow of foreign mercenaries and arms into Somalia in violation of the relevant sanctions regime imposed by the Security Council. We believe that there is a need to take additional steps to strengthen that regime.

The Chinese delegation wishes to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened today’s meeting. We welcome the report submitted by the Secretary- General on recent developments in the situation in Somalia (S/2009/503). We also thank Mr. Pascoe and Mr. Boyd for their briefings. We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Somalia. The report of the Secretary-General and the briefings by the Secretariat indicate that the current situation in Somalia remains grave, the security situation is deteriorating, the political process lacks momentum and the humanitarian crises is worsening. After 18 years of civil war, peacebuilding in Somalia remains an arduous and difficult task. This is unfortunate both for Somalia and for the international community. We are seriously concerned by the current situation in Somalia. We believe that halting violent conflicts and ethnic disputes, achieving national reconciliation and embarking upon national reconstruction is a political choice that must be made by all political forces in Somalia. We hope that neighbouring countries, regional organizations and the international community will act immediately and use their influence and leverage to avert the further deterioration of the situation in Somalia. We call on all parties in Somalia to pursue the national reconciliation dialogue. We support the consolidation of the Djibouti peace process and call on all parties concerned to join it. We condemn the recent attacks on the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, civilians and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). We urge the armed factions in Somalia to lay down their weapons immediately and seek to settle the issue by political means. The question of Somalia has already posed serious challenges to the Horn of Africa, as well as to international peace and security. We call on all parties to use their influence fully and to focus on persuasion and the promotion of dialogue so as to make timely and substantive progress in the Somali peace process. We greatly appreciate the positive role played by AMISOM in stabilizing the situation in Somalia and protecting its people in difficult and complex circumstances. We especially appreciate the contribution of troop-contributing countries such as Uganda and Burundi. We condemn all violent activity against AMISOM forces. China has always maintained that United Nations peacekeeping operations should be deployed in Somalia. We understand that the implementation of this task still faces some obstacles. However, the international community should not wait passively for right conditions to arise. To achieve peace in Somalia, the United Nations should play a greater role. We are concerned by the serious difficulties raised for AMISOM by the insufficient level of troops and shortage of resources. We call on the Secretariat to strengthen consultations with the African Union Commission and to further explore ways to strengthen AMISOM. China has always maintained that the United Nations and the Security Council in particular should play a more positive role in the question of Somalia. We call on the international community to step up the implementation of commitments of assistance made to the Government of Somalia and AMISOM. On numerous occasions the Chinese Government has made contributions to the African Union to support peacekeeping operations in Somalia. We have also provided logistical assistance to major troop- contributing countries. Recently the Chinese Government also provided the Government of Somalia with $500,000 in cash and with malaria medication valued at 1 million yuan. We have also agreed to cancel large amounts of the debt owed by the Somali Government. The Chinese delegation is ready to join with other members of the Council to continue to play a constructive role in resolving the question of Somalia.

At the outset, I wish to thank Mr. Pascoe and Mr. Boyd for their briefings. We also welcome the presence among us of the Permanent Representative of Somalia. Burkina Faso remains very concerned by the security situation in Somalia, which is marked by continued clashes between illegal armed groups and Government forces. The violence has claimed many lives — especially of civilians and political leaders. Unfortunately, the 17 September attack against AMISOM force headquarters, which claimed the lives of a number of Burundian and Ugandan soldiers, has just added to that list. We take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Governments of those two States and to AMISOM. We again condemn this attack, which was carried out by the Al-Shabaab Islamist rebels. Any form of violence directed against peacekeeping and humanitarian personnel is unacceptable. We await the results of the United Nations investigation with great interest and hope that the perpetrators will be found and made to pay for their actions. As my delegation noted during our previous consideration of the situation in Somalia (see S/PV.6173), the scale of the attacks and the intensity of the clashes give credibility to the involvement of foreign forces backing the insurgents with weapons, combatants and logistics. This is also confirmed by the report of the Secretary-General (S/2009/503). We recall that the African Union expressed its serious concern regarding the growing presence of foreign elements in Mogadishu and other areas of Somalia and requested that the Security Council impose sanctions against those opposing the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia. We hope that the Council will follow up accordingly, including within the framework of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia. The already deplorable humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as a result of the growing insecurity, with the killing of humanitarian personnel and ongoing threats of hostage-taking. Here, we pay tribute to humanitarian and associated personnel for their courage and resolve and again appeal to the belligerents to guarantee their security. While we understand the difficult situation facing their personnel on the ground, we urge the humanitarian agencies to remain present among the local populations to the extent possible. As concerns the political situation, Burkina Faso reiterates its full support to the Transitional Federal Government and welcomes its continuing presence in Mogadishu and its efforts aimed at consolidating its authority, especially in the security sphere. We are also encouraged by the fact that the parliament continues to meet in Mogadishu despite the heightened security risks. Burkina Faso welcomes President Sharif’s renewed commitment to comprehensive implementation of the Djibouti Agreement, which remains the only relevant framework for a political settlement of the Somali crisis. We encourage the country’s authorities to continue their policy of dialogue and openness vis-à- vis the rebel groups, with the aim of involving them in the process of pacifying the country. The cooperation agreement signed in June by Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a is an important step forward, and we invite the other armed groups to follow that example. We take note of the efforts under way to revitalize the High Level Committee responsible for the coordination and application of the Djibouti Agreement. Within this framework, it is urgent that the pledges made by donors at the Brussels Conference be fulfilled to ensure the strengthening of the Somali security forces, extension of State authority, promotion of national reconciliation and management of the transition process. On the implementation of the three-phase incremental approach for United Nations support for Somalia, we congratulate the Secretariat for having continued its cycle of missions despite very difficult security conditions in the field. We encourage the Secretariat to spare no effort to move as rapidly as possible to the second phase. In our view, the rapid provision by the United Nations of its support package to AMISOM is the most urgent element, alongside development of the national security strategy and strengthening the security services. Again we pay tribute to the Secretariat for its efforts and to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, and his team for their resolve alongside the Somali people despite the difficulties they are experiencing. We reiterate our gratitude to Uganda and to Burundi for their invaluable contributions in the quest for peace in Somalia. Given the severity of the situation, we encourage the countries which have already pledged troops to AMISOM to honour their commitments in order to contribute to strengthening the mission. Burkina Faso continues to believe in a future of peace, stability and prosperity for Somalia. This will require continued commitment by all Somali actors and the continued support of the international community, in particular that of the Security Council.

We are grateful for this morning’s briefings by Under- Secretary-General Lynn Pascoe and by Mr. Craig Boyd, as well as for the presence among us of the Permanent Representative of Somalia. My delegation would like to begin by acknowledging the intensive work of the Transitional Federal Government in reaching out to opposition groups, forging national reconciliation and ensuring the security of the Somali population. The development of a strategy of negotiation, persuasion and inclusion of those groups in dialogue has borne fruit with the agreement reached with Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a. We hope that in the future we will see more members of the insurgency joining this process in order to achieve a lasting political solution in Somalia. In that context, we welcome the fact that the pledges made in Brussels by the international community are being disbursed, and we hope that very soon the various financial mechanisms established for cooperation with Somalia will receive the promised funds. We believe that the Somaliland and Puntland communities should also receive funds to enable them to safeguard stability in their regions. Likewise, we acknowledge the improved administrative capacity of the Transitional Federal Government. The establishment of effective governance in Somalia is an essential basis for ensuring public order. We believe that the international community and institutions of the United Nations system should continue to provide Somalia with the support necessary for institutional-building, enhancing Government capacity and improving infrastructure with a view to ensuring a comprehensive approach to deal with the humanitarian, political, security and development issues at the root of the current crisis. These positive developments, however, cannot lead us to ignore the escalating violence in Somalia and the alarming decline in the humanitarian situation during the period under review. There have been attacks against the Transitional Federal Government and AMISOM personnel, thefts at United Nations facilities and widespread violence against civilians by armed groups. We have also noted the existence of criminal activities on the part of domestic and foreign saboteurs, who take advantage of the fragility in the country to further their smuggling and trafficking in human beings and illegal drugs. All those activities pose an ongoing threat to the Djibouti peace process. Against that backdrop, efforts should be stepped up to continue to make progress in the parallel equipping and training of Somali security forces to enable them to take on responsibility for security in their country, thereby contributing to finding a solution to the fundamental problem in Somalia. In that regard, we acknowledge the work done by the Transitional Federal Government and AMISOM in setting up transitional security institutions, developing the national security strategy and improving the capacity of other legal, judicial and public administration institutions. In particular, we hope that work of the Joint Security Committee will yield greater concrete results in the future. We also believe that, in addition to ensuring the strengthening of the Government’s security institutions, it is also urgent that we strengthen AMISOM. In that regard, we would like to reiterate our gratitude to the Governments of Burundi and Uganda for their contributions to the Mission. We deeply regret the loss of life resulting from recent attacks on AMISOM facilities. The impact of the unstable security situation on the provision of humanitarian assistance within and outside Mogadishu is a source of concern for my delegation. The systematic looting of the compounds of personnel providing humanitarian assistance coupled with the ever-lengthening drought are worsening the living conditions of more than 50 per cent of Somalia’s population, which currently needs humanitarian assistance and support to survive. We are especially concerned about the increase in child malnutrition, which today affects one in five children. It is therefore urgent to ensure that there is adequate financing for humanitarian and recovery programmes, as well as free access for humanitarian assistance and an improvement in the security conditions of humanitarian personnel in Somalia. We condemn forced displacements and acts of violence against civilians, whether due to or as a result of clashes between Government forces and insurgent groups. In that regard, we remind all the parties to the conflict that they have an obligation to observe the norms of international law, and especially those of international humanitarian law. Given that combating impunity should continue to be a priority for the international community and for the authorities in Somalia, we welcome the Government’s establishment of a ministerial-level post for the coordination of human rights. In conclusion, we would like to reaffirm our support for the strategy drawn up by the Secretary- General to address the crisis in Somalia. We would also like to acknowledge the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Mr. Ould Abdallah, to further strengthen the political process in especially difficult circumstances.

I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe and Mr. Boyd for their respective briefings. Austria reiterates its full support for the Djibouti peace process and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Further efforts by the TFG to reach out to opposition groups and to enhance its delivery of governance are essential for progress in that process. We urge all parties in Somalia to join the Djibouti process and its structures. The Djibouti Peace Agreement constitutes the only viable and legitimate framework for achieving lasting peace in Somalia. Austria condemns the attempts of extremists to overthrow the TFG, as well as the terrorist attacks against the TFG and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). We are deeply worried about the spoilers of the peace process and about foreign support to the insurgents. We are ready to support measures that effectively prevent support to insurgent groups. We are equally concerned about continued criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and arms smuggling, which threaten peace in Somalia and the wider region. We would like to express our appreciation to Uganda and Burundi as troop-contributing countries to AMISOM. The Mission remains a crucial factor for stability in Somalia. It is therefore of the utmost importance that it reach its mandated strength and that it have the capabilities necessary to fulfil its mission. We very much welcome recent pledges of additional troops and the delivery of the support package by the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA). With a view to the efficient implementation of international support to Somalia and AMISOM, we would like to stress the importance of close cooperation and coordination between UNSOA and the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS). On behalf of my Government, I would like to covey our condolences to the families, contingents and Governments of those who have lost their lives in terrorist attacks. The suicide attack against the AMISOM force headquarters on 17 September was especially heinous and vicious. The development of Somali security forces is another important contribution to stabilizing the country. There needs to be an effective mechanism for coordination between the TFG and the international community. The Joint Security Committee and the High Level Committee should serve as forums for coordination based on a national strategy for the reconstruction of Somalia. We condemn the widespread human rights violations and abuses by insurgents. Extrajudicial and arbitrary executions, arrests and torture, as practiced by Al-Shabaab, must stop immediately, and those responsible must be held accountable. We also reiterate our condemnation of the recruitment of children by armed groups, as well as our request to release them immediately. We warmly welcome the TFG’s decision to focus on the protection of human rights as an essential element for the process. In particular, we welcome the designation of the Minister for Women’s Development as the TFG’s focal point on human rights, as well as the draft framework for technical cooperation in the area of human rights with UNPOS and the continued efforts to address impunity. We are very concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Somalia, where 3.7 million people now depend upon food aid. The situation of 1.5 million internally displaced persons is exacerbated by a worsening security situation, on the one hand, and the drought in some parts of the country, on the other. In addition, humanitarian workers are increasingly the target of insurgents, making it more difficult for them to deliver much-needed help. The European Union (EU) is engaged in Somalia through its institutions and its member States. The EU is currently developing a comprehensive strategy on how to step up that engagement. An exploratory mission visited the region in early September and has provided parameters for a coherent strategic framework linking reconciliation, security and development. With regard to piracy off the coast of Somalia, Austria would like to underscore that the efforts of a great number of international actors, including the EU through its Operation Atalanta, to curb piracy off the Horn of Africa cannot meet with lasting success without addressing its root causes and establishing the rule of law in Somalia.

We are grateful for the valuable information provided by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe and by Mr. Craig Boyd, Director of United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). We also commend the valuable efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Somalia, Ambassador Ahmedou Ould Abdallah. Similarly, we welcome the presence among us at today’s meeting of Ambassador Elmi Ahmed Duale, Permanent Representative of Somalia. Given the alarming situation of insecurity in Somalia — and indeed the region — Mexico would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions of the United Nations and the African Union, through AMISON, aimed at ensuring stability on the ground and the basic conditions necessary to strengthen the Government in Somalia. We also acknowledge the efforts of the Transitional Federal Government to promote national reconciliation and dialogue with opposition groups in accordance with the principles of the Djibouti Peace Agreement, as well as to improve the Government’s capacities and lay the foundations for a national security mechanism. However, we are concerned mainly by the following aspects: the increasing insecurity in the entire territory, including the country’s coasts; the deterioration of the humanitarian situation and of human rights; and growing organized crime. It is clear that the lack of security is the most serious problem that Somalia faces. It is having a constant impact on the Government’s capacity and its prospect for future viability. Likewise, the number of victims among the civilian population, including women and children, continues to grow day by day. We are particularly concerned about the vulnerability of the forces of the Transitional Federal Government and of AMISOM in the face of terrorist attacks, such as the attack of 17 September against AMISOM headquarters, which left 21 people dead and 40 wounded. We extend our acknowledgement to the troops of Burundi and Uganda and to their Governments for their steadfast commitment. But we should also be very clear: the incident of 17 September should not have happened. It concerns us that security is not guaranteed, even in the area under AMISOM’s control, which portends extremely badly for the future. We consider it of the greatest importance that the Government of Somalia make strengthening the National Security Forces and planning for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration operations of former insurgents a priority. In that regard, we commend the work of the recently established Joint Security Committee given its importance as a political forum to foster the development of the national security strategy. Turning to the fight against piracy, we acknowledge the international efforts to counter that threat to the security and the economy of the region. Mexico recently took part in the fourth meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, where the large number of the participating countries became aware of the impact of piracy on the arms embargo and on access for humanitarian aid. My delegation expresses its deep concern regarding the alarming humanitarian situation in Somalia, which has drastically worsened. The lack of security that affects the humanitarian operations throughout the country is unacceptable. The upsurge in looting and attacks on humanitarian missions, and in killings, abductions and threats against humanitarian personnel, together with scant progress on the ground, mean that almost 50 per cent of Somalia’s population remains dependent on humanitarian assistance, which it is increasingly difficult to deliver. We urgently call for all parties to the conflict to comply with international human rights standards and with international humanitarian law and to protect the civilian population, including aid personnel. We also underscore the vital importance of ensuring secure and unrestricted access to humanitarian assistance. In that regard, we commend all efforts on the part of the Transitional Federal Government to ensure that the civilian population, in particular the most vulnerable, receive the inputs and services most essential to their survival, such as those provided by the World Food Programme. Press reports that such provisions have at times been traded illegally for commercial ends are of great concern. Moreover, we are equally concerned by the human rights situation in the southern and central areas, the continuing impunity in that regard in the entire country, and the recruitment of children by armed groups. My delegation is aware that the lack of stability hinders the progress needed in the economic and social spheres. The piracy and the organized crime activities in the Horn of Africa, in particular the trafficking of drugs and persons and the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, are severe obstacles to improving security in the country. We believe it necessary to seek cooperation mechanisms to strengthen the ability of the region’s authorities to tackle such threats and to regain control of strategic points, such as the sea ports and airports. Mexico backs the importance of the continuing focus on deployment of the United Nations presence in Mogadishu, particularly in the light of the ongoing lack of security in that capital. We commend the work of all the Organization’s agencies involved in that task, and we trust that the efforts on the political and security fronts will produce the necessary results to advance that phase. Lastly, Mexico, as Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia, believes it important to reiterate its appeal to the international community, in particular the countries of the region, to support the independent work of the Monitoring Group on Somalia and to cooperate in the implementation of its mandate. We are aware that the arms embargo and the targeted sanctions regime are key instruments in the peace process in Somalia, which, given their technical nature, have a political impact that can benefit the peace process as a whole. On 21 October, the Committee will receive the Monitoring Group’s mid- term report, which the members of the Committee will analyse and report on to the Council, together with the other developments in the Committee’s work. Lastly, in our delegation’s view, the possible implementation of the sanctions by the Security Council should be consistent with the approach that we wish to pursue not only in Somalia but also in the subregion, taking into account the complexity of the situation and its many different political actors.

I would like to begin by conveying my gratitude to Mr. Lynn Pascoe and Mr. Craig Boyd for their briefings. The Transitional Federal Government has held fast in the face of the attacks against it and has even retaken land, in particular in Mogadishu. It has the full support of the French authorities. However, the situation remains very unstable. The deadly attack on 17 September against the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) reminded us that the insurgent forces still have strength. Moreover, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, and now 3.7 million people, or half of the Somali population, depend on international humanitarian aid. At the same time, repeated attacks against the United Nations and the non-governmental organizations make humanitarian work increasingly difficult and dangerous. Nine humanitarian workers have lost their lives working alongside the Somali population in 2009. Thirteen others are being held against their will. This difficult situation requires a renewed commitment by the international community. In his most recent report (S/2009/503), the Secretary-General recalls his incremental approach, which focuses first on support for the Transitional Federal Government and AMISOM. That strategy, which the Security Council backed in resolutions 1863 (2009) and 1872 (2009), is not in question. It is clear that neither security conditions in the field nor positions held by various stakeholders make it possible to deploy a United Nations force. But the international community must act with greater resolve within this framework. Here, I shall touch on four issues. First, full support is urgently needed for the Transitional Federal Government. In April, during the Brussels Conference we collectively committed ourselves to provide such support. That support must be political and financial, but also operational and specific. That is why France, within the framework of resolution 1872 (2009), is training a Somali battalion in Djibouti: 150 soldiers have already been trained and have returned to Somalia, and a further 350 have just begun the training programme. On 29 September, as noted by my Austrian colleague, European Union Defence Ministers stated their interest in a European training mission to take place in a third country. France welcomes the interest recently shown by Germany and the Russian Federation with respect to initiatives of that kind. The Republic of Djibouti, for its part, is carrying out similar training activities. Here, I play tribute to Djibouti for its endeavours with respect to Somalia. There is a need to help the Transitional Federal Government strengthen the cohesiveness, discipline and effectiveness of its forces, which, as my colleague from Burkina Faso has stressed, are facing foreign fighters who are among the most extreme. By restoring basic public services in areas where it can ensure security, the Transitional Federal Government will be able to retain positive momentum. AMISOM, to be sure, has an essential role to play in training troops in Somalia and in helping ensure that troops trained abroad get the follow-up they need and that they are used in the optimal way. It is absolutely necessary to back the Transitional Federal Government, in spite of the risks involved. In that context, my thoughts are with the French official who was kidnapped in Mogadishu on 14 July, and who is still being held in Somalia. Secondly, we must, in parallel, continue to support AMISOM. Like some of the colleagues who have spoken before me, I pay tribute to bravery of the troops from Burundi and Uganda, who every day carry out dangerous work in an outstanding manner. France once again extends its condolences to the Governments of Uganda and Burundi on the losses they suffered as a result of the heinous attack on 17 September against the AMISOM force headquarters. International assistance must continue, to ensure that the African Union can achieve its objective of deploying 8,000 troops. The European Union — the largest financial partner of the African Union — is playing an active role. France has done significant work in the area of training AMISOM contingents and it evacuated to Nairobi soldiers injured in the 17 September attack. I thank Mr. Boyd and his team for having set up the logistical support package. I wish, thirdly, to speak of the political aspect. France welcomes the untiring efforts of President Sharif in reaching out to groups not yet involved in the reconciliation process. It is important for the Somali Government to take every opportunity to continue to expand the political space in Somalia. Only a political solution will ultimately enable it to guarantee security and stability there. Here, we note with satisfaction the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Ould Abdallah, to develop missions to Mogadishu, carried out by the United Nations Political Office for Somalia. With respect to those who reject all dialogue, France echoes the Secretary-General’s appeal to States, organizations and individuals in a position to do so to encourage them to join the peace process. Finally, like most of my colleagues, I have already stressed how difficult it is to deliver international assistance to Somalia. In that context, it is important that the international community remain mobilized to combat the piracy that poses a threat to, inter alia, vessels of the World Food Programme. Naval assets have been deployed by many States and organizations, including, first and foremost, the European Union with its Operation Atalanta. In addition, as my Japanese colleague mentioned, the members of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia are working to complement military action with civilian action, in order to help countries in the region bring arrested pirates to justice. France welcomes the Contact Group’s decision to ask the Secretary-General to establish a trust fund for such purposes. In conclusion, I wish to pay tribute to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, and his team and to assure them of the full support of France.

I thank Mr. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Mr. Craig Boyd, Director of United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), for their briefings. I also welcome the report of the Secretary-General (S/2009/503) and the participation in this meeting of the Permanent Representative of Somalia. On 17 September we witnessed yet another cowardly attack on AMISOM troops by those opposed to a negotiated political process and a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Somalia. The attack claimed the lives of 24 people, including peacekeepers and civilians. Many more were injured. Apart from this senseless killing of peacekeepers and civilians, and as pointed out in the Secretary- General’s report, the conflict continues to destroy lives. Between 20 and 50 lives are lost every week as a result of almost daily fighting, and thousands of people have been displaced, thus worsening the humanitarian situation. Furthermore, the conflict continues to have a negative impact on the whole region, owing to the proliferation of small arms and the disruption of international trade as a result of piracy, and to pose a threat to international peace and security. Uganda reaffirms its support for the Djibouti peace process, as it represents the best opportunity for lasting peace in Somalia. We commend the efforts made by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to advance the political process in the country, and we support the continued commitment and efforts of President Ahmed in reaching out to opposition groups in the search for lasting peace. We welcome the humanitarian assistance given to the country and the support that has been extended to AMISOM. We call upon the United Nations and other partners to enhance their support to enable AMISOM to effectively implement its mandate. We also call upon African Union member States to provide additional personnel to enable AMISOM to reach its authorized capacity of 8,000 troops. While we commend the progress made by the TFG in the political process and the support extended to the Government and to AMISOM, the recent attack on peacekeepers and the continued killing and displacement of civilians are reminders that the international community needs to do more. Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups continue to control parts of Mogadishu and the countryside, wreak havoc on society and hold the people of Somalia hostage to their extremist views. In view of the magnitude of the challenges in Somalia, we need to ask ourselves if the present strategy of adopting an incremental approach is solving the problem in the country. Is the current approach commensurate with the gravity of the situation on the ground? The primary responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in Somalia ultimately lies with the TFG and the people of Somalia. However, the commitment and support of the United Nations, the African Union and subregional actors such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development are essential to supporting the TFG in assuming its role effectively. We believe that more resources and faster deployment are needed in order to strengthen the TFG and rein in the extremists. A lot more needs to be done in addressing the urgent issues of peace, security and reconstruction of the country. The efforts of the TFG require additional support from the international community if the country is to quickly recover from the devastation of war. The TFG should be supported in its efforts to re-establish key national institutions. Critical areas such as security, health, education, energy and infrastructure need to be addressed in order to radically change the situation on the ground. This will give the people of Somalia a greater sense of hope. The success of the commendable efforts of the TFG in unifying and reconstructing the country will depend significantly on the availability of adequate and predictable resources. We therefore call upon the international community to support the TFG vigorously in national institution-building. As provided for resolution 1863 (2009), the presence of AMISOM in Somalia is a transitional step towards the envisaged United Nations peacekeeping operation. Therefore, the Council should hasten the necessary preparations towards re-hatting AMISOM. Furthermore, the Council should deal decisively with all the spoilers in Somalia who continue to flout the resolutions and decisions of the Council, to destabilize the country and the region and to pose a threat to international peace and security. Lastly, we thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ould Abdallah, and the staff of the United Nations agencies and humanitarian agencies for the support they have extended to the Somali people in the current circumstances.

At the outset, allow me to thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe and Mr. Boyd for their remarks and introduction of the Secretary- General’s report on Somalia (S/2009/503). I would also like to take this opportunity to commend Special Representative of the Secretary- General Ould Abdallah for his dedication and commitment in Somalia, as well as the tireless efforts of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia, the United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the United Nations country team and other organizations operating in the country under extremely harsh circumstances. Croatia notes the progress made in some key areas identified in the Secretary-General’s report, especially in the field of national reconciliation, drafting a constitution, capacity-building and the building of national security forces. In that context, we further welcome the establishment of the commission for security and pacification, which is tasked with reforming Somali security forces, as well as the major reshuffling of the Cabinet, including the appointment of the new Minister of Defence. We hope that this change will contribute to the Government’s capacity to consolidate its authority and restore order in the country. Croatia reiterates its strong support to the Djibouti peace process and calls upon all relevant actors to fully implement the commitments undertaken, including the creation of an inclusive administration in Somalia. We urge all those groups still outside this process to join it as soon as possible. We therefore welcome attempts to revitalize the work of the High-level Committee, the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General aimed at engaging autonomous regions, and the continued support of regional organizations to the Djibouti peace process. We are deeply concerned by the marked deterioration of the security situation in southern and central Somalia and we condemn the continuing indiscriminate attacks against the civilian population. We urge all parties to the conflict to fully comply with international humanitarian law and human rights law, and in this regard we express our sincere condolences to the families of those killed and injured during the attacks of 17 September in Mogadishu. Croatia expresses its concern regarding the looming humanitarian crisis in Somalia, which is exacerbated by the severe difficulties experienced in the delivery of humanitarian assistance caused by increased violence against humanitarian workers, ongoing fighting and drought. We hope that adequate funding of the consolidated appeals process and the United Nations Transition Plan for Somalia will allow for the continuation of critical humanitarian activities. On piracy, my delegation shares the position expressed by other Council members that long-term solutions will come about only through the rule of law and the establishment of security on the ground. Croatia supports the incremental approach, as set out by the Secretary-General. We welcome preparations for a shift to the second, “light footprint” phase and further consultations between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the African Union on a possible future peacekeeping operation in Somalia. We commend the African Union and AMISOM for their unfaltering attempts to stabilize the situation in Somalia and the crucial role AMISOM plays in repelling insurgents and protecting vital infrastructure in Mogadishu. In that context, we would also like to use this opportunity to pay special tribute to Uganda and Burundi for the vitally important contribution they are making to AMISOM.

I would like to thank Mr. Lynn Pascoe and Mr. Craig Boyd for their briefings and to welcome the Permanent Representative of Somalia in our midst. Despite the numerous challenges faced by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, in the past few months it has managed to achieve some progress towards attaining its political and security objectives by pursuing dialogue with opposition groups, building local governance, preparing a draft constitution and strengthening security institutions. We welcome the commitment shown by President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and his Government to setting up an all-inclusive Somali Government. We urge the opposition groups that have not yet joined the Djibouti process to participate in the reconciliation process and to eschew violence. By the same token, we urge capable States and organizations to convince all Somali factions outside the peace process to lay down their arms, stop fighting and participate in political dialogue and the reconciliation process. We invite the TFG to continue its efforts with a view to achieving national reconciliation. In this regard, we appeal to the international community to redouble its support for the Government. We felt shocked by the attack that targeted the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on 17 September, and we strongly condemned it. We renew our condolences to the Governments of Burundi and Uganda, as well as to the families of the victims who lost their lives in that attack. We also wish to voice our sympathy with the wounded. By the same token, we wish to commend the role undertaken by AMISOM in an environment fraught with risks. We urge the international community to complete the disbursement of the funds it has pledged in support of the Mission and rapidly transform it into a United Nations mission, in accordance with resolution 1863 (2009). We welcome the generous contributions made by States of the region and the international community to support and strengthen the Somali police and security forces. We urge donors to fulfil the pledges they made in Brussels and cooperate closely with the Joint Security Committee, with a view to coordinating their contributions and supporting the Committee as a political forum able to facilitate the preparation of a national security strategy in accordance with resolution 1872 (2009). We believe that there is a need for the simultaneous implementation of a package of capacity- building programmes in various Government bodies, such as the judiciary, the parliament and the Government administration. We urge the TFG to take decisive steps to extend and entrench its authority, restore the rule of law and meet the basic needs of the population. We express our concern at the deterioration of the humanitarian situation as a result of violent acts of abduction and killing and other threats to humanitarian workers, as well as the drought that hit the country. This has increased the number of those in need of humanitarian assistance from 3.5 million to 3.7 million, approximately 50 per cent of the total population. In this regard, we applaud the sacrifices of and the courage shown by humanitarian workers and denounce the recent attacks against them, including the looting of their compounds. We urge all parties to abide by human rights law and international humanitarian law and to take steps to protect civilians, including humanitarian workers. We also call upon all parties to pave the way for unfettered delivery of humanitarian aid and cooperation with humanitarian organizations on that score. Moreover, we urge all States to support the consolidated appeal and the United Nations approach regarding Somalia. We express our concern over persistent criminal activity, including the smuggling of drugs and arms and trafficking in weapons. We call upon the international community to find appropriate means to grapple with illegal activities that threaten peace in Somalia and the region as a whole. With regard to piracy, once again we emphasize that the problem of piracy off the coast of Somalia is a natural result of the unstable situation in Somalia, the overall deterioration in the security situation and the absence of State authority. In order to resolve this problem in a definitive manner, there must be a complete and comprehensive solution to the question of Somalia. Although we support the international efforts deployed to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia, we warn against the use of an international maritime presence in the region to protect illegal fishing activities in Somalia’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. We urge States with a maritime presence off the Somali coast to try to protect Somalia’s maritime wealth. We are duty-bound not to turn the international maritime presence into a tool protecting breaches of the principles of international maritime law and preventing the Somali people from enjoying its riches. In conclusion, we commend the efforts made by Mr. Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and his team, and we express our support for him.

I shall now make a statement in my national capacity as representative of Viet Nam. I join the others who spoke before me in thanking Mr. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Mr. Craig Boyd, Director of United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), for their insightful briefings and for sharing their perspectives on the situation in Somalia. We agree with the Secretary-General that the situation in Somalia is at a turning point. The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has made significant progress in fostering national reconciliation, sustaining dialogue with opposition groups, building capacity for local governance, integrating human rights into various aspects of the peace process and building a national security apparatus. My delegation commends and supports President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s initiative to launch a commission for security and pacification, which is tasked with reforming Somalia’s security forces and all law enforcement agencies. We welcome his commitment to fully implement the Djibouti Agreement in order to find lasting peace in this war-torn country. The main challenge facing Somalia is to maintain the political momentum that started a few months ago. We are encouraged to note that the cooperation agreement signed between the TFG and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a in June has already shown results. We call upon the opposition groups which remain outside the Djibouti Agreement to lay down their arms, renounce violence and join the reconciliation process. While long-term security rests with the TFG and the Somalis themselves, the United Nations, the international community and regional organizations should redouble their efforts to assist the TFG to repel the onslaught of extremist forces that are intent on destroying the Djibouti peace process, and enable the Government to exercise its authority countrywide for the sake of the Somali people. We remain troubled by reports that the humanitarian situation in Somalia continues to deteriorate dramatically, with more than 250,000 people being displaced and some 3.7 million people in dire need of humanitarian support due to intensified fighting in Mogadishu, growing insecurity in much of southern and central Somalia and drought. The current alarming security and humanitarian situation in Somalia requires immediate and concrete international support, both political and financial, to enable the TFG to accelerate the development of the Somali National Security Force and the Somali Police Force in the framework of the Djibouti Agreement and in line with a national security strategy. We welcome the efforts of donors to disburse pledges made in Brussels last April. Viet Nam supports the efforts of the African Union and AMISOM troop-contributing countries to maintain stability and security in and around Mogadishu under hazardous circumstances. We welcome and support the decision of the African Union to increase AMISOM’s strength to its mandated troop levels and its call for the international community to continue its support of AMISOM’s deployment and operations. We also support the incremental approach set out in the Secretary-General’s April report, which requests the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, in consultation with the African Union, to continue its effort to develop and refine existing contingency plans that will allow for an eventual transition from AMISOM to a United Nations peacekeeping operation if security conditions on the ground permit. To ensure that this effort succeeds, we call for close cooperation and effective partnership between the United Nations Political Office for Somalia, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the League of Arab States in dealing with the situation in Somalia with a view to bringing about lasting peace and security in the region. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Somalia.

Allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of October. I also wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe and Mr. Boyd from the Department of Field Support, and express my appreciation for their briefings. We also appreciate the report of the Secretary-General (S/2009/503) and thank all those who contributed to it. In particular, we thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and head of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia, Mr. Ahmedou Ould Abdallah; the United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM); and all the international and other organizations that contributed, in very difficult circumstances, to the drafting of the report. We have passed through a long and painful struggle in Somalia over the past 18 years. It is very heartening now to note the conviction, expressed both in the report of the Secretary-General and in the statements made by most Security Council members, that progress has indeed been achieved through the Djibouti peace process, and that the Government, despite all the problems — especially with the security situation — has done a lot. We therefore hope and pray that the United Nations, the international community and especially the Security Council will now really try to take the necessary steps as quickly as possible to ensure that the security situation is further improved. That is the only way it can be done. Our President, in his statement at the general debate of the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session, mentioned the problems that face the Government and our priorities. He stated that the priorities are strengthening sufficiently the Somali national security and police forces and other security and law enforcement organs; adequately strengthening AMISOM in all aspects and achieving the agreed strength of 8,000 peacekeepers; and the deployment of an adequate United Nations peace operation in Somalia, the sooner the better. It is also very heartening to note that a number of Security Council members seem to agree that it is now time to look into the issue of how fast an adequate peacekeeping force can be deployed in Somalia. I shall try to address the question raised by my colleague from Uganda. As we know, Uganda and Burundi are also suffering alongside the Somalis. In fact, they have lost a number of their soldiers in trying to help Somalia. I therefore stress the need as soon as possible to accelerate the incremental process, as stated in the report, to establish a security situation that will allow all United Nations and international agencies to operate in Somalia and open the door to the adequate and timely supply of assistance to the 3.7 million people who need it now. I do not wish to make a long speech because all the points that I could have raised have been raised either in the report itself or by the members of the Security Council. I turn now to the issue of piracy. It has been mentioned and underlined by a number of Security Council members that the root causes of piracy are the problems on land in Somalia, and not on the high seas. We therefore also need support for the struggling security forces that have already been created if we are to be able to stop the pirates from embarking from Somalia’s ports. As has been noted by some members, the Security Council may apply and enforce sanctions against all spoilers, be they individuals, entities, a country or countries. That, too, is needed now. Furthermore, our Government and the African Union have requested the blockade, if possible, of the ports through which Al-Shabaab and its associate, Al-Qaida, receive not only supplies but personnel to train operatives and to ensure that their training camps are well equipped and supplied. The purpose of these training camps is not only to destabilize the Somali Government, but also and mainly to serve as stepping stones to neighbouring countries and to produce international terrorists. We also seek to monitor overflights of some airports that are now controlled by Al-Shabaab and its allies. Finally, I wish wholeheartedly to thank Uganda and Burundi and other countries that have promised to supply personnel and training. We also thank the international community and the countries that have already given us assistance in training our security forces. We are glad that, as has been mentioned by many, pledges have been made for support to AMISOM and the Somali security forces. The disbursement of these pledges, however, has to be made as quickly as possible, and we are very glad that there will be a meeting on this issue tomorrow. I wish to reiterate once more the urgency of the security situation in Somalia, which also involves the humanitarian situation and all other human rights aspects, and the urgent need for the Security Council to take action in the security sector.

There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.