S/PV.6467 Security Council

Under rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I also invite Mr. Augustine Mahiga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2010/675, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on Somalia. I now give the floor to Mr. Mahiga. Mr. Mahiga: I thank the Security Council for the opportunity to introduce the Secretary-General’s report on Somalia (S/2010/675). I will focus my statement on developments since the issuance of the report. I take this opportunity to welcome the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina during this month. I welcome and congratulate the new members of the Security Council: South Africa, India, Portugal, Germany and Colombia. Allow me also to thank the Council for having adopted resolution 1964 (2010) on 22 December 2010, which approved the expansion of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). In this final leg of the transition, the gains of the Djibouti Agreement, modest as they may be, remain the basis for advancing the peace process and must be consolidated. Last week, I travelled to Mogadishu, where I had useful discussions with President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who is with us this morning. We discussed the draft road map prepared by the Government for ending the transition, which emphasizes good governance, institution-building and the provision of basic service to ensure its legitimacy. The draft road map is being circulated for comments and refinement. We look forward to its finalization. Parliament has approved a budget for the first time. A plan of action for the first 100 days for each of the 18 ministries has also been prepared. Those are unprecedented initiatives by the Government — no previous Government has ever undertaken them. The new Cabinet is also unique in other ways. It is lean and technocratic and its members have distinguished professional qualifications and experience. During my discussion with President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on 4 January, he reaffirmed his commitment to the Djibouti Agreement, to moving forward with the transition process and to endeavouring, as much as possible, to accomplish the priority tasks within the given timeframe. While recognizing the importance of the constitution-making process, President Ahmed is also of the view that the process may not be sufficiently exhaustive or inclusive owing to access and security limitations, especially in the south-central part of the country. The President is keen to ensure the participation of Somaliland, Puntland, other areas of stability and the diaspora in the constitutional consultative process. The President recognizes the need to end the transition and to engage in open and inclusive discussions with all stakeholders, using the mechanism of the high-level committee provided for in the Djibouti Agreement, and in the newly reactivated Coordination and Monitoring Committee. The United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) has led extensive consultations on the composition and functions of those mechanisms and on ways to ensure effective monitoring and support for the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). We have reached consensus that the high-level committee will act essentially as a vehicle for Somali- Somali dialogue, with the participation, as appropriate, of some of the guarantors of the Djibouti Agreement. The Coordination and Monitoring Committee will be the platform for the TFG and all its partners to discuss the implementation of the Djibouti Agreement and transition issues. The discussions in the coming months will focus on developing consensus on the transition with all stakeholders and on the new political arrangements after August 2011. The constitution-making process has reached the public consultation phase. In recognition of the critical role that the Transitional Federal Parliament is expected to play in the public consultations, the Independent Federal Constitution Commission and members of the Parliamentary Constitution Committee held a workshop in Nairobi from 14 to 16 December 2010 to build awareness among members of Parliament and to discuss ways in which Parliament could support the consultations in the constitution-making process. In the coming weeks, UNPOS will more proactively support the Transitional Federal Government and institutions, groups and entities that are open to a constructive dialogue and peace. As set forth in the UNPOS political strategy, we will coordinate international efforts to help the Transitional Federal Institutions create a political platform to allow as many Somalis as possible to participate in the ongoing constitutional initiative. That will provide the country with a viable alternative to the current transition. In the meantime, stabilizing the security situation in Mogadishu is the key to paving the way for the expansion of political space by Government forces and AMISOM beyond the capital. That will help the Government to expand its outreach, deliver services and create the political space required for the engagement of other groups, starting with Mogadishu and the adjacent Benadir region. In that regard, the recent upsurge in violence by insurgents to gain control of new territories and regain areas under TFG control is a matter of concern. The Government is seeking the assistance of the United Nations and the international community in the provision of basic social services in the areas under its control and in other parts of the country. In that regard, the expeditious implementation of resolution 1964 (2010) is essential to facilitating the implementation of the political strategy and to addressing the humanitarian challenges in Somalia. In recognition of that goal, the United Nations is increasing its efforts to develop coherent and integrated support to Somali institutions, including by establishing a light footprint in some parts of Somalia. Recent months have seen regular interactions between UNPOS, the United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia (UNSOA) and the United Nations country team at both the senior and working levels to ensure greater coherence and coordination among United Nations entities. As we move forward, conditions of service for United Nations personnel in Somalia must be reviewed and improved in order to attract staff members to serve in this challenging and dangerous environment. I intend to take up this matter with the relevant bodies of the United Nations and would welcome the support of Council members. The increase in troop strength will provide AMISOM with much-needed additional personnel to fully implement the first phase of military operations and gain full control of Mogadishu. UNSOA is working closely with AMISOM to ensure that the logistics package for the additional 4,000 troops is made available once deployments begin. However, as Council members are aware, critical gaps remain in the United Nations support package to AMISOM. In particular, the reimbursement of contingent-owned equipment and self-sustainment costs are not covered under the logistical support package. It is essential for the success of the Mission that these costs are fully covered from contributions by Member States to the United Nations Trust Fund for AMISOM. In addition, AMISOM faces significant equipment shortfalls that limit its ability to achieve its mandated tasks. African Union member States may also require assistance in mobilizing the specialized enabling units that are required for the Mission. While commending Member States for the bilateral support extended thus far to troop- contributing countries, I appeal for more assistance to narrow equipment shortfalls, in addition to training and further support for specialized enabling units. I am also pleased to report that AMISOM has become increasingly aware of the need to protect civilians in conflict areas. AMISOM has also accepted responsibility for investigating civilian casualties caused by its troops. The Government faces the daunting task of building an army and other security organs in the midst of a conflict. There is an immediate need to mentor and establish a command and control structure by training a capable officer corps. The continued lack of a command structure affects troop discipline and morale. Two countries in the region have offered to train both commissioned and non-commissioned officers for Somalia. I appeal to our partners to support those offers. I thank all those who have contributed bilaterally and through the Trust Fund to support Somali security institutions, in particular the police, which will be key to developing the sector. In addition, the issue of receiving and rehabilitating defectors requires immediate attention. I encourage action by the Transitional Federal Government to receive the growing number of fighters who are defecting from the ranks of the insurgents. As a matter of priority, we are still initiating and seeking to coordinate an inter-agency response to the issue of defectors from Al-Shabaab. I ask the international community to support these efforts to weaken the insurgents. The unfolding situation of severe drought in Somalia is cause for serious concern as the short rains have failed in most parts of the country. Already, 2 million people are affected, and that number is expected to rise as water supplies dwindle, livestock is decimated and internal displacement escalates. To support the drought-affected population, the United Nations country team in Somalia released $4.5 million from the Common Humanitarian Fund for emergency response, focusing on water, sanitation, nutrition and health, and called on all parties to facilitate humanitarian access. A further $15 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund has also been allocated for drought response as the number of affected is likely to increase. The World Food Programme food pipeline will be depleted in three months’ time; it is facing an acute funding shortfall of $40 million. In our efforts at UNPOS to address the issue of piracy, I held constructive discussions with the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Legal Issues related to Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, Mr. Jack Lang, whose report will be out soon. At UNPOS, we have established a task force on piracy to support international and regional efforts to combat piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. However, UNPOS still needs additional capacity to enable it to play a meaningful role in this area. We shall seek to pursue a comprehensive counter-piracy approach through the pillars of deterrence, prosecution and root causes on land. We intend to begin by reactivating the Kampala Framework of cooperation between the TFG, Puntland and Somaliland. Finally, let me express my deep gratitude to the international community for its continued support for Somalia in its quest to achieve durable peace and stability.

I thank Mr. Mahiga for his briefing. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.

Let me congratulate you, Sir, on assuming of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. Let me also pay tribute to the able leadership shown by the President of the Council last month. I am grateful for the privilege to address the Security Council, and I take this opportunity to update members on the progress made by our new Government in our first 50 days, as well as some urgent news regarding the humanitarian situation in Somalia and the situation in Somalia more generally. Our message remains firm and clear. We are focused on security, reconciliation, transitional tasks such as making progress on the constitutional process, humanitarian assistance, and effective, transparent and accountable governance. Our hope is that we will quickly fledge into a stable and secure Government catering to the needs of our people and able to provide services to them. We want space for our enterprising population to return home and establish flourishing businesses as they have done around the world. As to security matters, our forces, with the support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), are winning the security battle. Gradual and incremental though it may be, the secure space in Mogadishu grows daily. That is the nature of urban conflict, in which the protection of civilians is as important as expelling insurgents. While about 60 per cent of the city of Mogadishu is now recognizably under Government control, 80 per cent of the population now lives in our area, and that is the true measure of our success. The people of Mogadishu have overwhelmingly voted with their feet and moved to the more secure Government-controlled areas of the city. Furthermore, we are starting to see a rise in the number of young Al-Shabaab fighters surrendering to the Government and AMISOM forces. Seven young men handed themselves over to the Government just last week. Many are evidently weak, starving and distressed. We hear the most disturbing tales of oppression, and we know very well that a generation of young Somalis will endure long-term emotional and psychological damage if we cannot bring an end to this violence soon. The additional 4,000 troops mandated to join AMISOM, for which we are most grateful to the Council, will have a dramatic impact on this process, and we welcome their arrival as soon as possible. Within our first 50 days, our Government has openly and transparently completed our first monthly payment of stipends to our soldiers. We are ready to repeat this each month, and systems are being put in place to establish a full biometric register our forces by our fourth month. This simple act of transparent Government is evidence of our intent. We await the return to Mogadishu in February of 940 soldiers who have completed training with the European Union in Uganda. The next cadre of recruits is ready to go. In the context of the ultimate aspect of the wider security issue, our cabinet has debated at great length the issue of indirect fire and civilian casualties. The incessant allegations and the effect they have on public perceptions must be addressed. We stand side by side with AMISOM, which we know conducts its military operations with integrity and discipline. However, we must do more together to reduce accidental damage and loss of life, better control the use of indirect fire, and reassure our population against enemy propaganda claiming that they are targeted indiscriminately. We have recognized the need to establish a joint committee with AMISOM at cabinet level to work with the AMISOM Force Commander to establish communication and maintain protocols within which we must all work. The most effective policy, of course, would be to create the strength to eject Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu outright, thereby entirely removing any need for indirect fire within the city. Undoubtedly, the most important of the transitional tasks is the completion of the new constitution for our nation. If such a constitution is to have absolute legitimacy and binding authority, both the process and the eventual content must be beyond reproach and solely in the interests of the Somali people. An important step in the constitutional process has been taken within the past month as Parliament approved 15 additional members of the independent constitutional commission. We have asked the commission to expedite its work and expand its consultations. We have engaged Somali constitutional scholars, lawyers, religious scholars and experts in Somali culture to review the draft constitution, along with the independent commission. We intend to be ready to move to the new stage of parliamentary approval and then to public consultations within the next few months. The constitution is such an important document, with profound implications for the future of our people and country, that it is essential that we take the time needed to do it right, without having to respond to artificial external pressure. On two separate occasions within the past month, I have dispatched high-level delegations to Galguduud and Puntland. In both cases, our delegations have successfully diffused clan disputes that threatened stability in those regions. We continue to reach out to all communities in our country and to lead the process of peacebuilding and reconciliation. Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a and the Government have a good relationship. Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a is part of the Council of Ministers, and its members hold other key positions, such as Deputy Commander of the Somali army. Our Government acknowledges the pressing need for immediate progress towards open and transparent governance. I have taken a number of steps very early in our administration to set standards and provide clear statements of intent. The Cabinet has signed a code of ethics and a full declaration of wealth. An anti-corruption commission has been instituted, with the power to investigate and review Government procedures and decisions. Ministerial travel can be undertaken only with my consent, and a full registry of Government property and vehicles is being prepared. Our Government is committed to Mogadishu and Somalia, and that is where you will find us. A full budget providing a comprehensive outline of Government spending in 2011 has been submitted by our Cabinet and approved by Parliament. Ministers have been allocated their budgets for the year, with priority placed on the payment of civil servants. In November 2010, the port of Mogadishu collected and deposited into the Central Bank of Somalia record revenues of over $2 million. This is the highest monthly revenue in the past 20 years. Transparency and accountability are the watchwords of our Government. The technical experts within the Cabinet have immediately found ways of demonstrating good processes and sound administration; registering and paying troops; formulating, processing and implementing our budget; and instituting new measures of accountability and transparency within the Government. There are a lot of simple but demonstrable processes that we can deliver to inspire confidence. This is just the beginning, but in 50 days we have done more than has been done previously. The Transitional Federal Government requires budgetary support from the international community if it is to deliver services to its citizens. Success has brought and will continue to bring with it a variety of challenging consequences. As many Council members may know, Somalia is in the grip of a potentially devastating drought. Agriculture is in the early stage of collapse. A crisis looms as over 2 million people face starvation. The Government has started delivering aid to internally displaced persons and the poor as best we can in areas under Government control. We have also identified ways of reaching out and delivering aid to areas under rebel control. We have called on the Somali people to help each other and on businesses and people in the diaspora to donate and support their extended families. We are grateful for the generous donation of 149 tons of food from our friends and brothers in the United Arab Emirates. We thank them and ask others to respond similarly. United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations must accelerate their arrival in Mogadishu and assist in organizing the provision of services and humanitarian aid. The long- term questions of disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation must also be addressed. People who have escaped the terror of Al-Shabaab need and deserve all our help. Our forces, together with AMISOM, have our security in hand. The Government is opening up, police are being trained, the Mayor is cleaning and organizing the city, and the people are ready to rebuild their lives. We are all ready to work with the United Nations. Currently, AMISOM is the sole agent for international support operating in Mogadishu. It cannot continue to carry the weight of military strategy, security, police mentoring and training, medical aid and humanitarian aid alone. It needs support, and it needs it now. We need support and we need it now. The debate concerning the future of the Government in Somalia beyond August this year will undoubtedly have begun within the international community. We do not intend to be bystanders in this debate. We will demonstrate repeatedly between now and August that we are a legitimate and effective Government. We accept that the international community needs a partner it can depend upon and work with. We will be that partner. We will show that we have a coherent and transparent programme for the future and that, despite the most difficult of circumstances, we have laid the foundation for a secure Government. Our political development will not always be pretty, but given time within a secure environment and with the support of the international community to relieve the humanitarian crisis, Somalia will lead Somalia out of its darkest days. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, for the extraordinary job that he is currently doing, working with my Government to create lasting peace and stability in Somalia.

I thank the Prime Minister of Somalia for his statement. There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on this matter.