S/PV.6614 Security Council

Under rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Augustine P. Mahiga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, to participate in this meeting. Under rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite His Excellency Mr. Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, to participate in this meeting. Under rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite His Excellency Mr. Pedro Serrano, Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2011/549, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on Somalia. I now give the floor to Mr. Mahiga. Mr. Mahiga: Please accept my congratulations, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council on behalf of your country, Lebanon. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the presence of The Honourable Prime Minister of Somalia, His Excellency Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali. Thank you, Mr. President, for giving me the opportunity to present the report of the Secretary- General (S/2011/549) to the Security Council on the latest developments in the Somalia peace process. At the outset, I would like to pay tribute to the Council for its continued support to the peace process in Somalia. Since I last briefed the Council, on 10 August from Mogadishu (see S/PV.6599), there have been positive developments in Somalia, even as difficult times still lie ahead. Let me begin with the humanitarian crisis, which is still hitting the world headlines. On 5 September, a sixth district in the Bay region was declared a famine zone, in the area controlled by Al-Shabaab. More people are at immediate risk. Assistance is now coming in from the international community. The African Union held its first-ever pledging conference on 25 August, raising $350 million in cash and in kind. But more is needed to cover the next five months. The moral authority of the Council and the entire international community needs to be brought to bear to facilitate life-saving assistance in the famine- stricken areas of Somalia and to address the overall challenge of drought in the Horn of Africa. On the political side, the peace process has just taken a great step forward. The game has fundamentally changed. In the spirit of the Transitional Charter and the Djibouti Agreement, the long-awaited consultative meeting on ending the transition in Somalia was convened successfully in Mogadishu from 4 to 6 September. While the situation remains tenuous and unstable, holding the meeting in Mogadishu was itself a notable achievement and a testimony to the much improved security situation in the capital. Two months ago, the Islamist insurgency group Al-Shabaab held much of Mogadishu, and threatened the rest. A week ago, we held a meeting with all stakeholders at the Somali Parliament building, in the heart of downtown Mogadishu. The consultative meeting brought together high- level representatives of the Transitional Federal Institutions, the regional States of Puntland and Galmudug, the Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a and most international partners. The meeting in Mogadishu was a milestone in the peace process, but the light that the road map now sheds on our path forward shows clearly just how far we have to go. We have now officially launched the implementation of the transitional tasks that are to be completed in the next 11 months, which offers a real opportunity to end the transition in a responsible and productive manner. It is different from previous efforts because this time there is broad-based consensus and political commitment to end the transition. In addition, there are agreed upon benchmarks and timelines to be fulfilled. In the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), we have established a dedicated unit to manage the implementation mechanisms. The implementation will be undertaken under the close supervision of the monitoring mechanisms, which are both regional and international in composition. The constructive atmosphere at the consultative meeting also enabled UNPOS to facilitate an agreement between the regional States of Puntland and Galmudug after several days of fighting at their common border in the town of Galkayo. The meeting immediately followed Somali Transitional Federal Government President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s historic trip to Puntland on 28 August. It is our hope that the groundbreaking visit will herald a new chapter in relations between the Transitional Federal Government and the regional administrations and set a positive tone for national reconciliation and improved outreach with a wide range of other entities and individuals across Somali civil society, both inside the country and in the diaspora. This issue will be further discussed and reflected in the next constitutional consultations, to be held in another location inside Somalia, which will include a wide cross-section of civil society groups. In my political advocacy for a more inclusive peace process, I have reiterated the presidential statement issued by the Council on 11 May, which indicates that those groups and individuals in the armed opposition should renounce violence and join the peace process (see S/PRST/2011/10). The changing security dynamic may help us in that regard. As we move forward on the implementation of the road map, the international community must redouble its engagement and strike that most delicate of balances between inducement and compliance. Here I need to be crystal clear: the benchmarks and timelines enshrined in the road map will simply not be realized in the absence of commensurate resources. Those providing oversight must play their role effectively to ensure that the implementation is done on schedule. We are looking into a range of measures to be invoked in case of non-compliance. I have consistently reminded the leadership that future assistance will be contingent upon the timely implementation of the road map. Ultimately, though, the Somalis need our assistance right now. The international community must immediately provide resources to the Transitional Federal Institutions and other implementing partners in order to ensure that we capitalize on the substantial political investment that has earned us all this moment of optimism and hope. The improvement in the security situation in Mogadishu is an important step towards stabilizing all of Somalia. Security is a central element of the road map, as a secure environment is a precursor to the effective implementation of other transitional tasks. The withdrawal of Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu has offered the Government an opportunity to expand territory under its control and enhance its legitimacy by delivering services to its population. We must prevent warlords from re-emerging in Mogadishu by not allowing a security vacuum to develop. The prospect of peace and stability in Mogadishu has also attracted 400,000 internally displaced persons fleeing Somalia’s drought-stricken areas under Al-Shabaab control, which is creating additional pressure on the still-fragile Government to provide security and support for the new arrivals. In addition to those security challenges, the extremists are likely to resort to terrorist tactics in Mogadishu and elsewhere. Forces of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Government forces must be equipped to respond to this new threat, which will require agility, enhanced mobility, expanded surveillance and a greater tactical capability around Mogadishu and beyond. The military plan must be accompanied by a civilian strategy designed to stabilize and rehabilitate Mogadishu. Together with the Transitional Federal Government and the United Nations country team, we have prepared the Mogadishu stabilization plan, which requires $5 million in initial funding. Somalis must see a tangible difference between their lives under Government authority and their lives under Al-Shabaab. As I pay tribute to the African Union and AMISOM, I wish to recognize the presence of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Boubacar Diarra. I would again like to take this opportunity to commend the Governments of Burundi and Uganda for their continued and unflinching support to AMISOM and their readiness to provide additional troops to it. The report of the Secretary-General expresses support for the rapid deployment of a guard force as part of AMISOM. That force would provide protection for AMISOM civilians and United Nations personnel and assets, relieving pressure on the main AMISOM force and enabling it to focus on its core mandate. The guard force is essential for enabling my Office to facilitate the effective implementation of the road map. I would therefore welcome the Council’s support in that regard. UNPOS and the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM are ready to expedite the deployment of staff to Somalia, especially in Mogadishu, as accommodation and logistical support is made available. As I said at the outset, this is a remarkable moment for Somalia. The situation remains fragile and tenuous, but we have a golden opportunity to end the transition and stabilize Somalia. I appeal to the Council to send an unequivocal message of encouragement to the Somali leaders while simultaneously putting them on notice that there can be no return to political bickering. There will be no more extensions and we must all work together to end the transitional period by August 2012. The seeds of hope and progress have begun to sprout, but they will need to be carefully and generously nurtured if they are to bloom into sustainable peace.

I thank Mr. Mahiga for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Diarra.

At the outset, I should like to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council. I also express my respect and gratitude to His Excellency the Prime Minister of Somalia. I should like to thank you, Mr. President, on behalf of the Chairman of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Mr. Jean Ping, for this opportunity to inform the Security Council regarding recent developments in Somalia and, in particular, our efforts to support the Transitional Federal Institutions in Somalia in strengthening security with a view to creating conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian aid and the implementation of the political road map to bring the transition to an end. I also convey the regret and apologies of Commissioner Lamamra for his inability to participate in this meeting today. Commissioner Lamamra will attend the summit to be held on Somalia on 23 September. I wish to reiterate the African Union’s appreciation to all members of the Security Council for their support for our efforts to reverse the insecurity and instability in Somalia. Over the past two years, and especially since the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was deployed, we have received crucial support from the Security Council. That precious support has contributed to the positive, tangible results that we are seeing on the ground in Somalia. I am sure that Council members are well informed of the recent positive developments in the political and security situation in Somalia. Before turning to those developments, let me address the humanitarian situation, which remains a cause of great concern for all of us. Millions of Somalis are suffering from hunger and malnutrition. For its part, the African Union took the initiative to organize a donors conference in Addis Ababa on 25 August in order to mobilize resources for the victims of the famine in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. More than $350 million were mobilized. The African Development Bank alone pledged $300,000. An additional amount of $28 million was also pledged in kind, including food, medicine and other forms of aid. While it recognized the crucial need to respond to the current humanitarian emergency, the conference also called on the international community to demonstrate renewed commitment to and support for medium- and long-term strategies to ensure food security and mitigate the negative impact of climate change on the African continent. Somalia is at a crossroads. That country, which has enjoyed no peace or security for 20 years, is regaining stability little by little. On the political front, the African Union is particularly encouraged by the speed and determination with which Somali political leaders, through an inclusive and consensual approach, are working towards the implementation of the Kampala Accord signed on 9 June under the aegis of President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. We also welcome the outcome of the consultative meeting held in Mogadishu from 4 to 6 September 2011. This meeting was very significant as it brought together the Somali Government, the transitional Parliament, Puntland, Galmudug and Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a, and thus allowed for agreement to be reached on tasks whose completion would allow the Somali people to strengthen the legitimacy of State institutions through free and transparent elections and establish the rule of law needed for lasting peace to take hold. The African Union calls on all Somali stakeholders, including the Somali diaspora, to provide the necessary support to the Transitional Federal Institutions in this regard. The African Union will continue to support the efforts of Ambassador Mahiga to fully implement the road map so that a new political order can be inaugurated on 20 August 2012, as we have so long called for and which will meet the aspirations of the Somali people. On the military and security fronts, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and AMISOM control almost 95 per cent of the capital, Mogadishu. With the retreat of Al-Shabaab, AMISOM forces, in collaboration with Somali Government forces, now control the city and are deployed in all districts of Mogadishu, with the exception of Daynile-Huriwaa. AMISOM will deploy forces in that area as soon as additional troops are made available. These gains represent an important victory. This is the very first time since the fall of the Siad Barre regime that a central administration has been able to take control of Mogadishu. We must build on this progress and extend the authority of the TFG beyond Mogadishu, create the space needed for dialogue and reconciliation, allow the TFG to interact with local and regional administrations, and create an enabling climate for political efforts stemming from the road map. The humanitarian crisis facing the country has led to additional obligations for AMISOM. The Mission must now ensure the security of camps for internally displaced persons, of which there are many in Mogadishu; assist in the delivery of humanitarian aid; and — a new responsibility — ensure the protection of the many dignitaries visiting Mogadishu since its liberation. It is therefore crucial for the international community to transform this moment of hope in the country by providing to the Somali Government all the support it needs to meet its commitments. It is also imperative that the recent security gains made in Mogadishu following the withdrawal of Al-Shabaab be strengthened through an appropriate increase in resources for AMISOM. This is the thrust of the report submitted by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, which includes the recommendations made by the technical consultative workshop on AMISOM convened from 17 to 18 August, with the participation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the permanent members of the Security Council, the European Union, countries contributing troops to AMISOM and many other partners. The report authorizes support for the following measures, including first and foremost the acceleration of the deployment of additional troops in order to strengthen AMISOM and swiftly achieve the authorized strength of 12,000 personnel pursuant to the United Nations support package. African countries have made necessary troops available. Djibouti, Sierra Leone and Guinea have already expressed their willingness to contribute troops. The main obstacles for those countries include a lack of military equipment and predictable measures to ensure that such equipment is paid for. Secondly, the United Nations support package must be strengthened pursuant to resolutions 1863 (2009) and 1964 (2010) in order to fill the gaps identified in the next few months, in the understanding that AMISOM is a multidimensional mission with military, police and civilian components. Support priorities should include independent support for troops; reimbursement for contingent-owned equipment; the provision of appropriate force enablers, including among others utility and attack helicopters; maritime capacities; military engineering equipment, and support to the Mission’s civil component. Thirdly, a police unit constituted in Mogadishu to support the rule of law and order and to allow AMISOM to concentrate on its military tasks must be deployed. Fourthly, a battalion-size protection force must be created within AMISOM and under its leadership in order to assist the deployment of civilian personnel and guarantee the security of the African Union, the United Nations and the Transitional Federal Institutions in Mogadishu. That force should supplement the 12,000 military personnel authorized by the United Nations. Despite the progress made in Somalia, the African Union wishes to emphasize that Al-Shabaab remains capable of destabilizing and undermining our efforts. Consequently, we must continue to focus on the big picture and maintain a far-reaching view that goes beyond Mogadishu. I therefore wish to underscore the validity of the other requests made to the Security Council, including those contained in the text of the African Union Peace and Security Council communiqué of 15 October 2010, in particular with respect to measures necessary to prevent the entry of foreign elements into Somalia. We must prevent the theft and transport of cargo containing weapons and ammunition for the armed groups carrying out attacks against the TFG, AMISOM and civilian populations. Looking to the future, we believe it important that the Security Council, in its wisdom, reiterate its commitment to deploying a peacekeeping operation in Somalia to take over from AMISOM and immediately set a timeline for that deployment. In that respect, the Commission proposes that the United Nations Secretariat undertake a joint mission to assess the progress made to date by AMISOM on the ground and to identify all additional criteria to be fulfilled and the relevant resources to be provided by the United Nations in order to prepare for the transformation of AMISOM into a United Nations peacekeeping operation. In conclusion, I reiterate that the African Union and all peace-loving Somalis and Africans thank the Security Council for its tireless and courageous efforts to settle the situation in Somalia. I also wish to express our gratitude to the Secretary-General, to the various departments of the Secretariat, in particular the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA), for the exceptional quality of their partnership with the African Union and AMISOM. The results achieved on the ground are due in large part to the unfailing support of UNSOA. On the ground, I also welcome the high quality of relations with Ambassador Mahiga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia. The political and military progress achieved is the result of daily close cooperation with the IGAD facilitator for Somalia. In that regard, new dynamism is necessary to maintain the strategic partnership between the African Union and the United Nations. The African Union Commission strongly urges the Council to take into account in its future resolutions the Commission’s contributions and updates on the situation, in particular the requests set forth above, as well as the conclusions of the mini-summit on Somalia to be convened in New York on 23 September, at the initiative of the Secretary-General.

I thank Mr. Diarra for his briefing. I now give the floor to Prime Minister Ali.

It is an honour for me to be here before the Council today and to update members on the developments that have recently taken place in Somalia. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to address the Security Council since my appointment as Prime Minister in June. In the intervening period, the humanitarian, security and political landscape has altered, and it is my intention to demonstrate the steps that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is taking to address the new challenges and opportunities that face us today. Let me begin by welcoming the report of the Secretary-General on Somalia (S/2011/549) which is now before the Council and which notes the positive political and security developments that have occurred in the past three months. A month and a half after my appointment as Prime Minister, Al-Qaida-affiliated extremist insurgents were forced to withdraw from the capital under pressure from the Somali National Army, with the support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). On 10 August, the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Mr. Augustine Mahiga, updated the Council (see S/PV.6599) on the situation in the capital following this withdrawal by Al-Shabaab, noting that this presented both opportunities and challenges for the Transitional Federal Government as we strived to consolidate security in the city, provide public services to the population and tackle the enormous humanitarian emergency enveloping our country. We in Somalia recognize, as the report of the Secretary- General notes, that failure to do so would fatally undermine the legitimacy and popular support that the Government currently enjoys. My Government is doing the best it can within our limited resources to exploit those opportunities. Immediately following the extremists’ withdrawal, a ministerial committee was set up, visited vacated areas and came up with plans for dealing with the situation. The immediate concern was to re-establish security and fill the vacuum with legitimate State authorities. A state of emergency has been declared in these districts, as well as in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the city, in order to prevent crime as well as to deter the return of warlords and militias. The Cabinet has established two task forces, one with the responsibility to provide armed escort to humanitarian convoys, and the other — a mobile patrol unit — to tackle crime. District security committees have been established in all 16 districts of the city and are engaging local communities to determine their priorities and needs. The security forces continue to search for weapons and booby traps in the neighbourhoods formerly occupied by the extremists. Once those have been cleared, citizens will be encouraged to return to their homes. However, we must remain realistic as we enter the next phase. Stabilizing security inside the capital has been a determined focus of my Government over the past month. The plan for Mogadishu is starting to work. We cannot, however, afford to be complacent. We are aware that pockets of insurgents remain in the city who are intent on launching a campaign of terror against the population using suicide attacks and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Already, our security and intelligence agencies have foiled a number of such attacks. The two largest IDP camps, Babaado and Rajo, which provide shelter and food for tens of thousands of the most needy, have both been targeted. Last week an IED was discovered planted within the Rajo camp. Two weeks earlier, a man wearing a suicide vest and disguised as a woman was arrested before he could detonate his explosives at the Babaado camp. A car bomb was also recently found and defused at the populous Kilometre 4 junction. At the same time, it will be imperative to ensure that the Somali State is able to keep clan rivalries and warlordism at bay. The Secretary-General’s report notes that the TFG and Somali security forces are currently overextended. It is essential that we work together to enlarge and improve the Somali National Army and the Police Force of the Somali Government as a matter of grave urgency. In order to consolidate and build on the security gains, it is essential to enlarge the force of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) — which has sacrificed so much and worked so hard — in the near future with the required air and maritime force components that it badly needs. To support this united effort, I look forward to announcing the national security and stabilization plan in the near future, which is a key part of the road map. The fact that the extremists would target innocent and hungry Somalis is an indication that they care nothing for the fate of the citizens of the country. Somalia is on the frontline in the global defence against the plague of terrorism. The terrorists are looking further afield. They have sought to export their noxious extremism across the region, recruiting and sponsoring acts of terror in countries such as Uganda, where last year they murdered 76 innocent people. It is a well known fact that they are focusing their recruitment and radicalization efforts on Somali diasporas in Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States of America. As the world marks the ten-year anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks here in New York and in Washington, D.C., it is critical that we learn the lessons of the past. The struggle to stabilize Somalia and deny terrorists a foothold on the Horn of Africa is one in which we all have a stake, and therefore one in which we all have responsibilities. At this juncture, I would like to thank the Council for the generous support it has given to both the transitional federal institutions and to the AMISOM peace support mission, without whose assistance much of the progress that I have outlined here would not have been possible. I also join the Secretary-General in paying tribute to the Governments and people of Burundi and Uganda for their continued sacrifice and commitment to the cause of peace in Somalia, as well as in extending condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this worthy cause, including Somali forces. The support of the international community is critical if we are to continue to protect civilians, ensure the safe and timely delivery of aid and prevent the extremists from using our territory as a base from which to plot terror attacks. The immediate deployment of the extra 3,000 AMISOM troops already authorized by the Council is urgently needed to prevent a security vacuum in the areas of Mogadishu vacated by Al-Shabaab. As the Secretary-General notes, without international support for equipping and outfitting additional troops, troop-contributing countries will continue to face difficulties in deploying their forces in a timely manner. Going forward, more will be required if we are to expand the zone of safety that has been created in the capital to encompass the rest of the country. In that regard, I ask the Council to urgently reconsider the recommendation of the African Union Peace and Security Council to increase the mandated strength of the AMISOM force to 20,000 troops from the current ceiling of 12,000, and to provide it with key enablers and force multipliers, including air and maritime components. On the humanitarian front, as all are aware, the United Nations has declared famine in a sixth region of Somalia, which means that up to half the population, or 4 million souls, are now facing the prospect of starvation. Many of those continue to come to the capital seeking refuge. The United Nations estimates that over half a million have already arrived. To deal with this situation and to oversee the delivery of humanitarian assistance, a high-level Cabinet committee has been created and, as per its recommendations, the Government has established several camps to house and feed them. A disaster management agency, comprising members of civil society, has also been established. We are working with United Nations agencies — such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Programme — to synchronize our efforts to deal with the famine. On behalf of the entire Somali nation, I wish to express my gratitude for the pledges of assistance that have been received from Governments and humanitarian agencies around the world. It is a matter of urgency that we seek to better coordinate and increase the humanitarian relief. There can be no competition, only concerted effort, in a humanitarian crisis of this scale, between what are known as traditional and non-traditional donors. All estimates predict that we will see the crisis deepen in the country and the suffering of my kinsfolk worsen. I have welcomed the proliferation of support and donors who are seeking to help. It will be essential to ensure that we play our part, within our limited capacity, in securing and helping the delivery of assistance to a larger number of Somalis who are in such dire need. We are indebted to the United Nations and its agencies, which have so far delivered tons of food to Mogadishu and other areas. Coupled with our measures to ensure security, those deliveries have had a considerable impact in Mogadishu and the surrounding areas. According to a recent report by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit, cereal prices for August in the Banadir region, although still unacceptably high, have come down by up to 20 per cent compared to previous months. The greatest need, however, continues to be felt within areas still under the effective control of the extremists, where access by international humanitarian agencies is severely restricted. The insurgents are also hampering the freedom of movement of millions who are trying to reach help either in Mogadishu or in neighbouring countries. Without urgent interventions to change the situation, it is estimated that up to three quarters of a million people may perish in the next few months. Although normal to above-normal rainfall is expected to return in the next three months, that is unlikely to result in a significant easing of the crisis in the short term, as the harvest would not be expected until February. In any case, the production from the short rainy season only accounts for a third of total annual cereal production. The displacement of farmers by the current famine will only further reduce the expected yield. In fact, the United Nations has indicated that it expects the famine to spread to the rest of the South by the end of the year. It is therefore critical that we accelerate efforts to reach those in Al-Shabaab-controlled areas before the crisis spirals out of control, threatening the security and political gains made. The international community must urgently reinforce our efforts to extend the zone of safety for aid workers beyond Mogadishu and into those areas. In the meantime, my Government will continue to work closely with humanitarian agencies to collect and share information on needs. We stand ready to cooperate with all actors to ensure that aid gets to the most critically affected populations, wherever they may be. I now turn to the political progress. In May, we informed the Council of our intention, together with the United Nations Political Office for Somalia, to hold a consultative meeting in Mogadishu with the aim of generating consensus on how to bring the transition process to a successful conclusion. At the time, there existed critical disagreements among the transitional institutions on how that was to be achieved. However, with the generous help of both the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, and the President of Uganda, His Excellency Mr. Yoweri Museveni, we were able to bridge the gaps and to come to a common agreement on the way forward in the form of the Kampala Accord. As a result, it is today my privilege to report that the consultative meeting on ending the transition was successfully held in the capital just over a week ago, and concluded with the adoption of a road map, complete with specific timelines and benchmarks, to ensure the return of a permanent Government in August next year. The conference was the culmination of Somali-led reconciliation initiatives dating back to the Arta Declaration of May 2000, which established the Transitional National Government — the first Somali Government since 1991 to secure a measure of international recognition, enabling Somalia to reoccupy its seat at the United Nations and in regional bodies. Over the course of more than a decade, the transition process has expanded to include many who had initially opposed it, bringing on board the Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council in 2003 to form the Transitional Federal Government, as well as the moderate wing of the Islamic Courts Union in 2008 and the Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a, two years later. It is therefore clear that while the peace process has not always been smooth, it has nonetheless proven to be inclusive and locally driven. Critically, my Government is committed to implementing the road map and delivering the priority tasks of security, the Constitution, reconciliation and good governance by 20 August 2012. In the run-up to the conference, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and I visited Puntland and Galmudug. Those visits created a strong foundation for good working relations between the Federal Government and regional administrations. We have signed an agreement with the President of Puntland, which will help us further develop the relationship. Further steps to enhance reconciliation efforts at the national, regional and local levels will be made in the coming months. We in Somalia are grateful for the encouragement and support of the international community in the peace process, which has been critical to ensuring its progress. We welcome the many statements issued by the Council over the years expressing support for the Somali people as we strive to achieve our dream of lasting peace. In the next phase, my Government will work hard to come together to make progress on the road map so that we can hope to see united and committed international support to the Transitional Federal Institutions. A resource mobilization plan, agreed with our international partners, will generate the momentum to drive forward the implementation of the road map. The principles underpinning the road map agreement in Mogadishu earlier this month were to foster inclusivity and build Somali ownership. It will be essential to follow-up the Mogadishu agreement with a meeting, also in Somalia, that reaches out to a wider group of stakeholders, incorporates the views of more Somalis from around the country and maintains momentum towards implementing the road map. I also welcomed the formation of a technical committee, which will work from Mogadishu, to support the implementation of the road map. I look forward to ensuring that future engagement with international partners takes place in Somalia, as far as possible, to help us meet the array of road map targets. As required by the road map, we are now in the process of identifying and appointing a committee of experts to oversee the drafting of a new constitution. They will soon embark upon consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society and human rights organizations, to resolve any contentious issues. We are also liaising with the parliamentary leadership to ensure that the Transitional Federal Charter is amended to provide a legal framework for the constitutional process. Transparency is a key element to providing effective and legitimate governance. That is why we have embarked on the process of identifying nominees to the Interim Independent Anti-Corruption Commission, as well as formulating a national fiscal budget for the period 2011-2012. In the meantime, with the assistance of our partners in the United Nations and in the international community, we will continue to provide services to the population as our current capability allows. Those include, as has been mentioned, the provision and protection of humanitarian aid, policing and crime prevention and modest infrastructure development, such as road repairs, street lighting and the refurbishment of schools, markets and hospitals. We are also working with our neighbours in the region to address the root causes of desertification and famine, as articulated in the Nairobi action plan adopted at the recent summit on the Horn of Africa crisis. Today, Somalia faces two alternative futures. One entails humanitarian relief being stepped up and growth in the AMISOM international peace support force so that it can support the Somali Police and Army in building on the security gains made so far. At the same time, that will enable embarking on a political journey to revitalize and strengthen the Somali State. The alternative, however, spells dire consequences for the State. Worsening famine, together with the cholera and measles epidemics, will destroy the country’s social fabric and ruin economic livelihoods for a generation. All the while, seriously overstretched TFG and AMISOM forces are unable to stop Al-Shabaab from regrouping. Allied with the enemies of peace in Somalia, they attack the fragile security in the capital and fatally undermine all efforts to rebuild the Government. A week ago, I signed the road map on behalf of the TFG — in cooperation with the Transitional Federal Parliament, the Puntland State of Somalia, Galmudug and Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a — because I am confident that we can lead Somalia towards growing social, economic and political stability. However, Somalia’s future hangs in the balance. We therefore cannot take this journey alone. As I stand here today and pledge my commitment to delivering the priority tasks laid out in the road map, I ask for the international support necessary to deliver the humanitarian relief and security that are vital components of stabilizing Somalia. Let me conclude by saying that, while efforts to ameliorate the effects of famine will continue to demand our attention in the short term, we will not lose sight of the fact that the progress made on the security and political fronts is laying the groundwork for a secure Somali State that is representative of and capable of delivering to its own people. With the increased and concerted commitment of the international community, I am confident that Somalia will overcome present difficulties and take the path towards peace and stability.

I thank the Prime Minister of Somalia for his statement. I shall now give the floor to members of the Council. Sir Mark Lyall Grant (United Kingdom): This is an important opportunity for the Security Council to discuss Somalia. I would like to thank the Secretary- General for his latest report (S/2011/549) and for the briefing from his Special Representative Augustine Mahiga. We greatly appreciate the work of the Special Representative, his team and all the United Nations agencies active in Somalia. I would also like to welcome to the Council this morning His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali of Somalia. I thank him for his important comments. I would also like to thank Mr. Boubacar Diarra for his contribution to the debate today. I would like to make four key points — on the humanitarian situation, the political situation, security and the United Nations presence in Mogadishu. First, the situation faced by many Somalis today is one of almost unimaginable suffering. Twenty years of civil war and its consequences have left an appalling legacy, one that is being most acutely felt by the Somali people — with 4 million needing emergency assistance and 750,000 facing famine. Tens of thousands have already died. Thousands more have been displaced. The United Kingdom stands shoulder to shoulder with the Somali people at its time of acute need. We have already provided $80 million of support for the relief effort in Somalia, providing relief to over 1 million people. It is vital that we, the international community, do all that we can to support those parts of Somalia where suffering is the worst. I call on others to give timely and generous support. The crisis will not end in the short term. It will go on into 2012. We need to ensure that our relief efforts are similarly sustained. Secondly, what greater incentive could there be than the prospect of famine stalking the land for Somalia’s political leaders to demonstrate their commitment to deliver a better future for the Somali people? To that end, the United Kingdom welcomes the adoption of the road map to end the transition, as well as the work by Ambassador Mahiga to facilitate its adoption. However, we should remember that the road map was required precisely because of the lack of progress on the transitional tasks. The parties to the road map therefore need to ensure that the key tasks set out in it are delivered on time and that the transition comes to a successful conclusion in August 2012. That will of course require the support of the international community, and we are ready to give it. But above all, it requires the political will and commitment of Somalia’s leaders. I welcome the Prime Minister’s encouraging comments this morning on that score. I urge the Transitional Federal Institutions of Somalia to demonstrate that they are furthering reconciliation efforts across the country. We expect the Transitional Federal Institutions to demonstrate improved accountability and transparency, in particular around the allocation and management of resources, to remain united and to refrain from any further internal disputes. There should be no doubt that the Security Council will stick to its commitment to making future support contingent on progress against the road map. Thirdly, I would like to welcome the recent successes of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Security Force in Mogadishu. I pay particular tribute to the continued commitment and bravery of the Ugandan and Burundian troops. Al-Shabaab’s almost complete withdrawal from Mogadishu is a mark of their success, but it also raises new challenges for AMISOM. As ever, it is vital that we give AMISOM the support it needs to deliver greater protection to the people of Mogadishu. The United Kingdom contributed over $5 million earlier this year, and now provides more than 50 per cent of the funding for the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of AMISOM. My Government calls on other international partners to step up and make contributions without caveat to the AMISOM Trust Fund. Finally, I welcome the continued efforts to increase the United Nations presence across Somalia, and in Mogadishu in particular. The United Nations has a vital role to play in supporting the Transitional Federal Institutions with expertise and technical assistance in delivering on their road map commitments. It will need to do so in a coordinated and integrated manner, working as one with the other United Nations agencies and partners both in Nairobi and on the ground in Somalia. I would also like to welcome moves by other members of the international community to increase their presence in Mogadishu, and reiterate my Foreign Minister’s commitment to opening a British embassy in Mogadishu once local conditions allow. Now more than ever, the United Nations, the international community and the Transitional Federal Institutions must come together to demonstrate our collective commitment to ending the transition and to building stability in Somalia. The lives of thousands of ordinary Somali men, women and children depend on it. We cannot let this opportunity slip, and we cannot fail the Somali people at their time of need. We must hold ourselves and each other to account and deliver real progress over the coming months.

My delegation thanks the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Augustine Mahiga, for presenting the report of the Secretary-General (S/2011/549) and for his update on the political developments, as well as the security and the humanitarian situations, in Somalia. We also welcome the presence of His Excellency Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Prime Minister of Somalia, and Ambassador Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission for Somalia, and we thank them for their encouraging statements this morning. South Africa welcomes the political progress made in the implementation of the Kampala Accord signed on 9 June, and commends the efforts of Special Representative Mahiga and President Museveni to facilitate this important agreement. We welcome the appointment of Mr. Ali as the new Prime Minister of Somalia, and the approval by Parliament of the Cabinet appointed by him. Equally commendable is the outcome of the consultative meeting held in Mogadishu from 4 to 6 September and the agreement reached by the Somali stakeholders on the road map to implement the key transition tasks over the next 12 months. We encourage all Somali’s to take ownership of the road map, which sets out clear benchmarks, timelines, responsibilities, resources and compliance structures for the key priority areas that must be achieved before the end of the transition. These positive political developments are critical, as the unity of the political leadership of Somalia is indispensable to addressing the security and humanitarian challenges that confront the people of that country. We echo the call by the AU and regional leaders for the international community to provide timely support and resources for the implementation of the road map. South Africa commends the recent military successes achieved by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the forces of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the subsequent withdrawal of Al-Shabaab from large parts of Mogadishu, as announced on 6 August. The tide has turned and every effort must be employed to ensure that the control of the TFG forces and AMISOM over Mogadishu is maintained and expanded. The control of the TFG in Mogadishu has stretched the resources of AMISOM and the TFG forces. In this regard, the full deployment of AMISOM to its authorized strength of 12,000 would be critical to consolidating the military gains achieved thus far. We commend the Governments of Uganda and Burundi for their contribution to AMISOM. South Africa fully supports the request of the African Union Peace and Security Council in its communiqué of 13 September for the United Nations to reaffirm its commitment to authorizing the deployment of a United Nations operation to take over from AMISOM in Somalia. In the meantime, we reiterate the call of the Peace and Security Council for the United Nations to authorize the enhancement of the support package provided in the areas of self- sustainment of troops, the reimbursement of contingency-owned equipment, the provision of requisite enablers, including helicopters, the deployment of formed police units, logistical support for the civilian component, as well as the creation of a guard force of 850, in addition to the 12,000 authorized personnel of AMISOM. We cannot allow a security vacuum to develop in Mogadishu. We must keep the momentum and strengthen the security capacities of the TFG forces and AMISOM to prevent any reversal of the security gains. On the humanitarian front, we note with concern the sad and deadly impact of the drought in the Horn of Africa region, and in Somalia in particular, where an estimated 4 million people face starvation and its impact on the whole region. We call on the international community to contribute generously to the appeals funds to enable humanitarian organizations to respond adequately to the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa region. In this regard, we commend the recent African Union pledging conference convened on 25 August, which raised over $350 million to respond to the relief effort in that region. South African continues make its contribution to the response to the humanitarian crisis confronting Somalia. With regard to piracy off the coast of Somalia, we note the reduction in hostages and ships held. Despite this positive development, the international community must continue its efforts to holistically address the challenge posed by the scourge of piracy, including its underlying causes relating to the collapse of State authority, the illegal exploitation of marine resources and the dumping of toxic waste. In conclusion, South Africa encourages Special Representative Mahiga to continue to work with the AU and regional leaders as we collectively seek to bring peace and stability to Somalia. South Africa appeals to the international community not to abandon Somalia in this critical period. Despite its immense challenges, Somalia today offers the international community a window of opportunity that should be exploited to consolidate the political and security gains recorded in recent times. Failure to do so and to exploit today’s opportunities will merely postpone and compound these challenges in the future. The time to act is now.

It is a pleasure to see you, Madame, presiding over today’s meeting. I take this opportunity to welcome the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and to thank him for his briefing and update on the situation in Somalia and recent events there. We also welcome and thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, and Mr. Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, Special Representative of the African Union Commission for Somalia, whose briefings were most enlightening on the situation in Somalia. Since our most recent meeting on Somalia (S/PV.6599), we have seen significant positive political developments in the area of security. The unity agreement adopted by the Transitional Federal authorities at the consultative meeting of 6 September is undoubtedly a political milestone of great importance. We would like to highlight the work carried out by Mr. Mahiga and his efforts to facilitate the consultations that led to this important agreement between the parties. The road map adopted by the various parties and the four tasks identified as priorities in ending the transition period in 2012 constitute a solid basis for the process of stabilization and unification. The federal authorities must lead its implementation, consolidate the security gains and make progress towards the adoption of the Constitution, which should occur alongside a dialogue for reconciliation. Transparency and good governance are also essential to national reconstruction and will help to strengthen its legitimacy and credibility and maintain the firm support of the international community. The achievements in terms of security will be sustainable insofar as the Transitional Federal Government is able to strengthen its political management. We are alarmed by the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation. The news reaching us every day is truly dramatic. International agencies are reporting that that current crisis is one of the most serious to affect the region for the past two decades. It is important that we continue to work to guarantee security and access for aid organizations and ensure that aid reaches the populations most in need. We reiterate that the parties to the conflict must respect humanitarian principles, guarantee protection for the civilian population and cooperate to ensure efficient logistics. With famine having been declared in six of the eight regions of southern Somalia, the transitional federal authorities must show that they are able to deal with the situation and that their primary goal is meeting the immediate needs of the population. We urge them to employ every means at their disposal to guarantee the security of the civilian population and do everything possible to help and protect them. We agree with the Secretary-General that it is crucial for the international community to support the Transitional Federal Government so that it can assume its responsibility of protecting civilians and play a coordinating role in providing assistance. While the Transitional Federal Government has the responsibility of demonstrating such leadership, the United Nations and the international community must also continue to contribute so that, through a comprehensive approach, emergency assistance is increasingly linked to creating conditions conducive to sustainable development and the recovery capacity to ensure food security and livelihoods in the long term, while contributing to the development of sustainable structures after the crisis and to the prevention of future emergencies. We must continue to strengthen State institutions, recognizing their primary responsibility in the restoration of security, political stability, the rule of law and economic development. The Secretary-General warns that, as the end of the transitional period approaches, there has been a proliferation of entities that claim to be regional administrations. This requires Organization and the international community to maintain a unified dialogue within the framework of the commitments and goals contained in the road map, and thereby prevent the fragmentation of the State and contribute to its stabilization. The work and presence of the African Union Mission in Somalia is crucial to the stabilization of Somalia. We must therefore urgently ensure that it has the necessary resources and appropriate equipment to fulfil its mandate and improve the troops’ living conditions. My country supports the efforts undertaken to that end. To conclude, I urge the Transitional Federal Institutions to comply with the terms agreed in the road map with respect to both the principal tasks and priorities and to the deadlines and implementation mechanisms for the next 12 months. The role of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia and of the joint international coordination committee will be crucial in this regard.

Let me, too, thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2011/549) and Special Representative Augustine Mahiga for his very useful briefing, and commend him and his team for their constant efforts. Allow me also to welcome the presence of His Excellency the Prime Minister of Somalia, Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and to thank him for his presentation, as I thank Mr. Diarra for his contribution to today’s debate. There has been some encouraging progress in Somalia. Within the framework of the Kampala Accord, Parliament has endorsed a new Prime Minister and a new Cabinet has been appointed. The Mogadishu consultative meeting also took place and met its main objective, which was the endorsement of the road map. Despite these important steps, there are still significant challenges ahead, as Ambassador Mahiga outlined. It is therefore essential that the Somali institutions build on the progress achieved so far and on the existing consensus. Throughout the remaining transition period, the Kampala Accord must be implemented, as must the road map, in compliance with the agreed benchmarks and timelines. We call on the signatories of the Kampala Accord to ensure cohesion, unity and focus on the completion of the four priority tasks set out in the road map for ending the transition — security, constitution, reconciliation and good governance — so that the transitional period may indeed come to an end in August 2012. As Portugal has stressed before, ensuring respect for human rights and paving the way for a better future for Somalis, including for their economic and social development, are also of paramount importance. We underline in this respect the very positive role that women can play in conflict resolution, and we encourage all parties in Somalia to remove obstacles and challenges to the participation of Somali women in public life. In this endeavour, it is of the utmost importance that regional and international partners continue to be committed and to lend support to the Somali people in helping it to address all the challenges Somalia faces, the most recent of which is at the humanitarian level. We remain deeply concerned by the situation, and we are particularly distressed by its terrible impact on the lives of the Somali population, especially on children, who have been severely affected by famine. We are nevertheless encouraged by the efforts being made on the ground by all the agencies, funds, regional and local non-governmental organizations and humanitarian partners against a background of very challenging security conditions. We are also encouraged by the mobilization of the international community so far, and we welcome the holding of the summit on the humanitarian response to the Horn of Africa on the margins of the general debate of the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session. But these combined efforts will be fruitful only if the aid reaches those in real need. We therefore urge all parties and armed groups to ensure full, safe and unhindered access for the timely delivery of humanitarian aid to all persons in need of assistance across Somalia. At the security level, the Transitional Federal Institutions should also capitalize on the recent improvements in Mogadishu by ensuring the delivery of basic services and providing good governance to all of its citizens. By doing so, it will also be honouring the efforts and sacrifices of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and of the Somali National Security Forces, which we commend. As the context on the ground is changing, new challenges arise for the Mission and for the Transitional Federal Government. In order to respond to the immediate needs, we encourage the strengthening of the Somali National Security Forces, as the Government bears the primary responsibility for safeguarding peace and security in Somalia. This is an endeavour to which we are glad to continue to contribute, including through the European Union’s training mission in Somalia. Nevertheless, AMISOM remains a crucial element to support and protect the Transitional Federal Institutions. We therefore reiterate our support to the Mission, endorsing its mandate renewal, and echo the Secretary-General’s call for the acceleration of the deployment of additional troops to fill the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu. We will also favourably consider expanding the scope of its support package and the development of a guard force to provide security to personnel from the international community. But new challenges also arise for the United Nations. In this regard, we welcome the efforts being made to fulfil the Secretary-General’s commitment to the full structural integration of the United Nations family in the country in the shortest possible time frame. Despite recent developments, the overall situation in Somalia remains fragile. It is therefore important to comprehensively address all the challenges Somalia faces at the political, security, humanitarian, human rights and socio-economic development levels. This also means pursuing our joint efforts to combat piracy through a multidimensional response to the problem. In the strong commitment, engagement and close cooperation of all Somali parties lies the main ground for a successful path towards peace and stability in Somalia. Portugal will pursue its efforts, within the different forums, to assist the Somali people in addressing the challenges before them. Before concluding, let me once again extend a word of sincere appreciation to the continuous engagement of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Ambassador Mahiga, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and other regional organizations in the Somali process. In this context, we naturally share the position of the European Union that will be expressed later in this debate.

At the outset, I would like to join others in thanking the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Augustine Mahiga, for his comprehensive briefing on recent developments in Somalia and for the Secretary- General’s report. I would also like to welcome Mr. Mohamed Ali, Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, to the Council and to thank him for his statement outlining his perspective on the situation in Somalia and the plans of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) for the future. I would also like to thank the African Union (AU) Special Representative for Somalia, Mr. Diarra, for his statement. The worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia, caused by the famine, is cause for serious concern. As the Secretary-General’s report notes, more than half of the Somali population is in the grip of this humanitarian crisis. While the international community has undertaken emergency measures to provide aid to those in need, nearly 2.8 million people are living in the hardest-hit areas controlled by Al-Shabaab, where access of humanitarian agencies is severely restricted. We urge all Somali groups to provide unfettered access to the humanitarian agencies and to facilitate the delivery of aid to all those in need. India has decided to provide humanitarian assistance of $8 million to the countries afflicted with severe famine and drought in the Horn of Africa — that is, Somalia, Kenya and Djibouti — through the World Food Programme (WFP). This is in addition to our contributions of $1.5 million to the AU trust fund for Somalia and $0.5 million to the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), both for augmenting the AU Mission in Somalia. We appreciate the key role played by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, WFP and other United Nations organizations in the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We join others in calling upon Member States to join the efforts of the United Nations and the African Union by responding positively to the humanitarian appeal. While the international community has been battling the humanitarian crisis, there have been some positive developments on the political and security fronts. The signing of the Kampala Accord and its subsequent approval by the Somali Parliament and the formation of a new Government have imparted a positive momentum to the political process that needs to be maintained in the extended transition period. We also welcome the high-level consultative meeting on ending the transition in Somalia, held from 4 to 6 September in Mogadishu, and the adoption of a road map as a result. We reaffirm our support for this process and hope that the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) will implement the road map in a time-bound manner and complete the pending transition tasks. This alone would enable a genuine, inclusive and comprehensive national reconciliation to take place in Somalia so as to end the two-decades- long instability and insecurity. In this connection, we appreciate the engagement of the President and the Speaker of Somalia with the international community. We also thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mahiga for his persistent efforts and cooperation with the Somali leaders and with the AU, the East African Community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and other stakeholders. The opportunity presented by the withdrawal of Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu should be utilized by the TFG to increase its effective presence all over Mogadishu through the delivery of basic services. This will not only enhance the TFG’s legitimacy but also help the political process. There is an urgent need to bring AMISOM’s strength to 12,000, as mandated by the Security Council. In this connection, we commend the Governments of Uganda and Burundi for their contributions to AMISOM and for the sacrifices made by their peacekeepers. AMISOM is the mainstay of international efforts to re-establish security in Somalia. It is therefore imperative for the international community to urgently bridge the resource gaps that have an adverse impact on AMISOM’s effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate. As the Secretary-General has reported, without international support for equipping and outfitting additional troops, troop-contributing countries will continue to face difficulties in deploying peacekeepers in a timely manner. Member States should contribute promptly to the United Nations and AU trust funds for AMISOM without caveats. As already mentioned, India has contributed $2 million for AMISOM operations through the AU and UN trust funds without any caveats. We also support the extension of the mandate of AMISOM. There is also a need to expand the TFG forces and strengthen their capacities for long-term stability and security in Somalia. New recruitments have to be undertaken and full training and proper equipment provided. Piracy off the coast of Somalia remains a serious problem facing the international community. As at 31 August, Somali pirates held 19 ships and 405 hostages. Combating maritime piracy is therefore an important issue that is intrinsically linked to the security situation in Somalia. So far, the TFIs have not paid adequate attention to this problem. We hope that in the extended transition period, the TFIs will fully implement the benchmarks concerning piracy contained in the road map adopted on 6 September, including the adoption of a legal framework against piracy, hostage-taking, payment of ransom, the demarcation of an exclusive economic zone, the establishment of an operational coastguard, the appointment of a counter-piracy coordinator, and so on. In addition to the benchmarks in the road map, the TFIs should expeditiously implement the provisions contained in the relevant Security Council resolutions for restricting port revenues for Al-Shabaab. In this connection, we will engage constructively with the members of the Security Council on the draft resolution on a legal mechanism for the prosecution and detention of pirates. We also stand ready to help in capacity-building for the TFIs and the States of the region for effective measures against piracy off the coast of Somalia. Further, given the growing scope and expanding coverage of the problem, the international community has to think about adopting a comprehensive counter- piracy strategy. In our view, such a strategy should involve: a United Nations-led anti-piracy force to conduct naval operations, which would help achieve greater coordination in anti-piracy operations by various naval forces; the enactment of national laws on priority to criminalize piracy as defined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; the effective sanitization of the Somali coastline, along with the identification of safe corridors and buffer zones. India has already taken several steps, including anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since 2008 and has also deployed its ships in the eastern and north- eastern Arabian Sea. This has helped to neutralize several attempts at piracy. While we will continue our counter-piracy operations, there is also an urgent need for the international community to address the serious problem of hostage-taking by pirates and the consequent humanitarian problems faced by the hostages and their families. We hope that the Secretary-General’s report on piracy, which is due in October, will contain concrete recommendations on all aspects of the problem of piracy, including hostage- taking and the plight of hostages.

Let me also thank Special Representative Mahiga and African Union (AU) Special Representative Diarra for their informative remarks. We also welcome the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia to these proceedings. Somalia continues to present some of the most complex and urgent humanitarian, political and security concerns in Africa and the world. The Security Council should continue to pay close attention to these interwoven challenges, as we are doing today. The United States is gravely concerned about the severe drought and humanitarian crisis in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa. More than 11 million people urgently need emergency assistance, including as many as 4 million Somalis in need of food. Inside Somalia, the famine has spread alarmingly. A sixth region has now been affected, and we expect the situation to continue to decline. Without urgent action, more than 750,000 people could die in the months ahead. We welcome the upcoming humanitarian summit on Somalia and the larger Horn of Africa region, which is to be held during this session of the General Assembly. The need is vast and the time is short. The United States is providing approximately $102 million in humanitarian relief assistance for Somalia, and more than $600 million to the entire Horn of Africa in response to the crisis. We join the Secretary-General in calling on our fellow Member States to contribute generously to the programmes outlined in the consolidated appeal for Somalia. We must fully fund the ongoing emergency response so that the most desperate can receive the food, water, medicine and shelter that they need to survive. Humanitarian actors in Somalia must coordinate in order to maximize the impact of aid efforts throughout the country. At this hour of crisis, the United States condemns the callous actions of Al-Shabaab, including the targeting of civilians and the blocking of humanitarian aid for millions of Somalis. Al-Shabaab continues to block access to the populations hit hardest by the famine. Its cruelty has severely impeded international efforts to tackle the growing humanitarian crisis. All armed groups must respect human rights and protect civilians, especially women and children. Rape and sexual violence against innocent women and children are unconscionable and must stop. All parties in Somalia share responsibility for protecting civilians and enlarging and preserving the humanitarian space. All armed groups in Somalia must adhere to international humanitarian law. Let me turn now to the political situation. The United States welcomes the signing of the Kampala Accord on 9 June and the outcome of the high-level consultative meetings in Mogadishu in early September. We commend Special Representative Mahiga for his efforts to spur political reconciliation and progress, including through an agreed upon road map with benchmarks and timelines. It is now up to the Transitional Federal Government to improve governance by working with responsible regional and local administrations, civil society groups and clan leaders, on the basis of shared goals of peace and stability, to achieve the benchmarks laid out in the road map. To that end, we remind the Transitional Federal Institutions that future international support will be contingent upon the completion of the tasks in the road map. Now is the time for sustained and vigorous peacebuilding efforts by the Transitional Federal Government. The Somali people deserve a responsible and credible Government. We urge the Transitional Federal Government to take advantage of the new security environment to extend the writ of the police, the criminal justice system and other civilian institutions into the newly liberated areas of Mogadishu. The TFG must provide improved governance, essential services and fiscal transparency and responsibility, and it must hold credible elections in August 2012. On the security front, the United States welcomes the significant military achievements of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali Security Forces. The coordinated AMISOM offensive against Al-Shabaab that began in February has achieved impressive results. It contributed to Al Shabaab’s withdrawal from nearly all of Mogadishu on 6 August. Nonetheless, Al-Shabaab remains a threat, and we urge AMISOM and the Somali Security Forces to persevere in their counter-insurgency efforts. For its part, the TFG must make further progress on the agreed road map, and must begin providing services in as much of Mogadishu as possible in order to solidify recent security gains. The United States commends the Governments of Burundi and Uganda for their commitment to AMISOM. We thank Major General Mugisha for his leadership and all of AMISOM’s brave peacekeepers. We welcome further troop commitments from other AU partner nations so that AMISOM can reach its mandated strength to quickly secure its expanded area of operations. The United States intends to continue our strong bilateral support to AMISOM troop-contributing countries. Since 2007, we have obligated more than $258 million worth of training equipment and logistic support to AMISOM and its troop-contributors. We have also provided more than $85 million for security assistance to the TFG to develop a professional and capable Somali security force. We urge other Member States to fund, without caveats, the United Nations Trust Fund for AMISOM, including the urgently needed reimbursement of contingent-owned equipment. The United States also commends the work of the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM and the significant contributions that it has made to improving AMISOM’s logistical operations and quality of life. We urge the United Nations to expand its presence and activities in Somalia as the security situation allows. Relocating United Nations personnel to Mogadishu is key to the long and difficult effort to defeat Al-Shabaab and to restore stability and decent governance in Somalia. Finally, let me turn to piracy off the coast of Somalia — a scourge that began because of the instability and lack of governance on land that now threatens the peace, security and stability of Somalia. Piracy, and the illicit and lucrative economy that it brings with it, contribute to corruption and corrode sustainable political and economic development. The only sustainable long-term solution to piracy, which will also advance Somalia’s long-term economic development, political stability and humanitarian situation, is security and good governance. The United States is deeply committed to supporting humanitarian relief efforts and to the security and stability of Somalia. We will continue to partner with the international community to help end the worsening humanitarian crisis and bring relief to the suffering people of that troubled land.

On 15 August in the Council we adopted a press statement (see SC/10360), in which we stated our support for the holding of the consultative meeting on ending the transition in Somalia. As we now hold this meeting, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having organized this debate on the development of the situation in Somalia, which remains of concern. We welcome the presence among us of His Excellency Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Prime Minister of Somalia. We are grateful to him for his important statement. We would like first of all to express our satisfaction at the information that he has given us with regard to the commitment of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to doing its utmost to implement the road map adopted during the meeting at the beginning of September. We thank Mr. Augustine Mahiga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, for the information that he gave us in presenting the report of the Secretary-General (S/2011/549). Finally, we would like to welcome the presence of Ambassador Boubacar Diarra, who represents the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and we thank him for his statement. Like all members, Gabon remains concerned about the severity of the humanitarian crisis that continues to prevail in Somalia. It certainly remains a major challenge for the country and for the international community. Today, five regions in Somalia are affected by the famine. Children die every day from malnutrition, disease and the lack of appropriate care. The humanitarian efforts and the funding provided have made it possible, however, to provide greater assistance to the most vulnerable populations, in particular those in the capital and in the refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. In addition, the African Union conference held on 25 August in Addis Ababa mobilized some $350 million for efforts to help the Horn of Africa. These actions demonstrate the willingness of Africa and the international community to provide an urgent response to the humanitarian crisis. For its part, Gabon has contributed to those efforts by making a modest contribution of $2.5 million. Despite all these efforts, the needs on the ground remain significant. In that regard, Gabon wishes to reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for sustained assistance. We must move beyond emergency assistance and create support mechanisms for agriculture in Somalia. Since this is an urgent matter, we have an opportunity to think about systemic long- term actions to prevent food insecurity. We therefore welcome the upcoming meeting of the Group of Twenty, which will give the international community an opportunity to mobilize its efforts to fight food insecurity. The onset of rains in southern Somalia should be an opportunity for the international community to help Somalis acquire better seeds and fertilizers, which would in turn boost agricultural production. Thus, we would be able to offer a sustained response to the humanitarian crisis plaguing Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Regarding the political situation, we join other Council members in noting the progress made. We can never repeat this enough: the Somali crisis is above all a political and institutional crisis, which is why a sustained solution can be found only if greater emphasis is placed on reconciliation among all Somalis. In that regard, we reiterate the appeal made by the representative of the African Union. The solution also involves restoring State authority and bolstering the peace process. We therefore welcome the 6 September adoption of the road map for the final stages of transition in the country. That step will help to further build cohesiveness among the Transitional Federal Institutions. The road map is a basic document and a further landmark in the implementation of the Djibouti Agreement. We are encouraged by the establishment of new regional administrations comprised of former armed militia groups who stand ready to work with the Transitional Federal Government. The willingness of the armed movements to become political parties exemplifies the positive evolution of the peace process in Somalia. Gabon stresses the need to consolidate this political progress. We encourage the Transitional Federal Government and the Federal Parliament to carry out all tasks set out in the road map as soon as possible. The drafting of the constitution, the improvement of security and national reconciliation are essential to efforts to end more than 20 years of instability in the country. Thus, it is important for the Security Council and, more generally, the international community to continue supporting the Transitional Federal Government with a view to strengthening its authority throughout the country. On the security front, Somalia has made substantial progress, as evidenced by the withdrawal of the Al-Shabaab militias from Mogadishu. Nevertheless, threats to security persist. Attempted attacks against humanitarian workers, continued fighting in southern Somalia and the attacks of last July in Kenya remind us of that fact. In that regard, Gabon calls on the international community to mobilize even further. The presence of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) remains essential. It must enjoy predictable funding and achieve the force strength authorized in resolution 1964 (2010). My delegation welcomes the announcement made by Djibouti and Sierra Leone, which, despite their difficult conditions, have agreed to provide troops to AMISOM. We also wish to thank all countries that are contributing in various ways to the viability of this operation. However, as pointed out by the African Union in its communiqué of 13 September, the United Nations bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. That is why we should consider the deployment of a genuine United Nations peacekeeping mission, the modalities of which could be determined in cooperation with the African Union. For the time being, we should attempt to improve the United Nations support system for AMISOM. Delayed reimbursements for contingent-owned equipment and shortcomings in logistical support have enormously hindered the timely deployment of additional troops. My delegation remains prepared to consider any proposal made by the Secretary-General in that respect. We should continue to train the Somali Police Force and the National Security Force. Peace and stability in Somalia are first and foremost the responsibility of the Somali people themselves. All those measures are even more urgent and necessary as they will help us to capitalize on the security gains of recent months. In conclusion, my delegation would like to highlight one point regarding the threat that piracy represents to the entire coastline of Somalia. Every time the issue has been raised in the Council, Gabon has consistently stressed the importance of a global approach, which must include efforts to address the security and humanitarian threat on the mainland. We therefore look forward with interest to the upcoming report of the Secretary-General on this matter. Finally, we take this opportunity to once again welcome the effective partnership between the United Nations and the African Union in support of peace and stability in Somalia.

At the outset, allow me to express our gratitude to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (S/2011/549) on Somalia and to thank Mr. Augustine Mahiga, Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Somalia, for his useful and informative briefing this morning. We also thank Mr. Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra for his contribution to today’s debate. We also welcome His Excellency Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Prime Minister of Somalia, and thank him for his remarks. Bosnia and Herzegovina notes with satisfaction the recent security developments in Somalia. It is of crucial importance that this window of opportunity be used in the right manner. The consolidation of authority, delivery of basic services to its people and fighting corruption, as well as the process of national reconciliation, are essential for the success of the Transitional Federal Government. Strengthening State institutions, particularly the National Security Force and the Somali Police Force, should be accelerated with the assistance of the international community. We reiterate our full support to the Transitional Federal Government and the Djibouti peace process. We also welcome the signing of the Kampala Accord, which overcame the political impasse that had paralysed and endangered the peace process in Somalia. We are pleased to note the timely implementation of the Kampala Accord to date, and we encourage the Transitional Federal Institutions to continue their efforts in that regard. Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly welcomes the holding and outcome of the consultative meeting organized and facilitated by Special Representative Mahiga. The adopted road map, with clear timelines and benchmarks for completing the current 12-month transitional period, should be implemented in a timely manner, bearing in mind that the future support of the international community for Somalia depends on its realization. We call upon the Transitional Federal Institutions to demonstrate unity, cooperation and commitment in carrying out their obligations through an inclusive and genuine Somali-owned political process. The international community has already shown its dedication to helping the Somali people achieve lasting peace and stability in the country. We express our hope that those efforts will continue, and reiterate our call on the international community and Somalia’s partners to provide urgent assistance to the Transitional Federal Government. Other important developments are the recent activities aimed at increasing the presence of the United Nations in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia. We express our encouragement of further coordination of the United Nations work in the country. We are concerned about continuing grave violations of human rights, especially against women and children. We therefore urge all parties to the conflict to fully comply with international humanitarian law and human rights law in order to protect the civilian population. Furthermore, we express our serious concern with regard to the humanitarian situation in Somalia. While famine is spreading, due to a deadly combination of severe drought, ongoing fighting and difficulties in the delivery of humanitarian assistance, the people of Somalia are facing a new humanitarian catastrophe. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who endure the terrible effects of the famine, which has already resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people. More than 3 million people in Somalia depend on humanitarian assistance, including internally displaced persons, who represent one of the most vulnerable groups in the country. The insecurity, compounded by the drought, has led to migration in all directions throughout the Horn of Africa. We urge the international community to redouble its efforts in providing assistance to the people of Somalia. We share the assessment of the Secretary- General that a multisectoral response is essential, and call upon all Member States to contribute to the consolidated appeal for Somalia. Bosnia and Herzegovina commends all humanitarian organizations and workers for their tireless efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to people in need in Somalia despite the extremely difficult environment in which they operate. We urge that humanitarian agencies and workers be given unhindered access to the populations in need. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) continues to represent an important factor of stability in the country. We commend AMISOM troops for their tireless efforts in stabilizing the situation and hope that its troop levels will soon reach the mandated strength. We call upon the international community to continue its support to AMISOM, with the aim of seeing its mandate fully implemented. We recognize the importance of the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM, the United Nations Political Office for Somalia, and the United Nations country team for Somalia, as well as the hard work of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and all other humanitarian organizations. We also welcome the efforts of the United Nations Mine Action Service to reduce the risks to the civilian population posed by mines and unexploded ordnance. Piracy off the coast of Somalia continues to pose a threat to international peace and security. The phenomenon of piracy is one of the challenges that still await a comprehensive, adequate and effective response from the international community, although some security, judiciary, prevention, best practices and awareness-raising measures have been taken. We should continue to cooperate and concentrate on eliminating the root causes of piracy.

At the outset, I would also like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Augustine Mahiga for his briefing. We highly appreciate his work and continue to support him. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Somalia, Mr. Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, and the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic (TFG), Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, for their presence and their statements. My delegation aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union later on. Germany welcomes the results of the Mogadishu consultative meeting held on 6 September. We hope that the agreed road map will guide Somali politics for the months to the come and will be implemented with determination and a strong sense of responsibility. As the road map does not yet provide strict benchmarks, we wish to stress the imperative necessity for making progress measurable. Continued international support will be depended on such progress. The Somali actors have to deliver now, since the transitional period cannot be prolonged indefinitely. We encourage the Transition Federal Institutions to continue to demonstrate their political will, which is indispensable to successfully cope with the manifold tasks that still lie ahead. We call on the Somali institutions to make the best possible use of the additional year of transition and to finalize the transition process at last. We continue to support every honest and serious effort aimed at achieving sustainable peace and stability in Somalia. The withdrawal of Al-Shabaab forces from the capital and other parts of the country is a unique opportunity for the Somali Government to assume its responsibilities and provide stability and a safe life for Somalis. This opportunity must be seized. The TFG must reinforce its efforts to enhance its political base and to reach out and win over as many political forces as possible, particularly in Somalia’s regions — something that does not seem to have happened on a sufficient scale in previous months. We would like once more to commend the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Ugandan and Burundian peacekeepers for the role that the Mission plays in Somalia, and especially for the success achieved over the past month. We also pay our respects and tribute in connection with the casualties that the African Union force has had to suffer. We remain grateful to the African Union for the decisive action that it has taken in an extremely challenging and dangerous environment. AMISOM is living proof of the willingness and capacity of the African Union to take responsibility for peace and security on the African continent. My country actively contributes to the European Union training mission for Somali security forces, which takes place in close cooperation with AMISOM and Uganda. It aims at providing capable and professional security forces for the Somali Government that could form the nucleus of a respected State authority that effectively controls the whole country. Joint and effective actions by Somali authorities are all the more important now that the region is facing a tremendous humanitarian catastrophe. Not only the continuous drought but, first and foremost, the repercussions of many years of civil war, as well as the absence of effective State institutions, have led to the current catastrophe in Somalia, of which, once again, the weakest are suffering the most. With almost half of the entire Somali population affected and more than 12 million in urgent need of help in the whole region, fast and effective humanitarian assistance is crucial. My country provides over $200 million for emergency relief, food assistance and food security. Finally, I would like to stress that Germany and the international community continue to support the Somali institutions in their efforts to establish a viable and stable Somali State. The Transitional Federal Institutions can count on this support that has gone on for decades. In return, my country and the international community expect Somali institutions to act swiftly, responsibly and credibly in order end the Somali crisis.

On behalf of the Nigerian delegation, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Lebanese presidency for convening today’s debate. Somalia faces daunting challenges, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss them comprehensively. Let me take this opportunity to welcome His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and to thank him for his very insightful statement. I also want to thank Ambassador Boubacar Diarra, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union for Somalia, for his very perceptive remarks. I want to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mahiga for his comprehensive statement and, indeed, his tireless efforts to achieve peace and security in Somalia. We greatly appreciate his persistent and enduring engagement with Somalia’s stakeholders in an effort to optimize the transitional period. Nigeria is encouraged by the priorities that Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has succinctly outlined to move Somalia beyond its security, political and socio-economic challenges. Our support for the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), its institutions and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in their efforts to rebuild Somalia remains unflinching. Although recent territorial gains and the ousting of Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu have undoubtedly enhanced security around the capital city and facilitated the delivery of aid, security remains a daunting challenge in Somalia. Effective and sustained measures are required to underpin recent gains and incrementally extend the TFG’s authority throughout the country. We believe that those challenges must compel the Council to revise its Somalia strategy by fast-tracking support both for the TFG and its institutions as well as AMISOM. Nigeria shares the Secretary-General’s assessment that AMISOM’s continued presence in Somalia remains invaluable to the TFG as it seeks to discharge its responsibilities. We believe that the full deployment of the 3,000 troops authorized by the Council, increasing AMISOM’s force strength to 12,000, will significantly enhance its capabilities and effectiveness. Indeed, augmenting AMISOM’s capabilities with force enablers and expanding its support package should be central to the new Somalia strategy. Adequate provisions should be made for the self-sustenance of the troops as well as the reimbursement for contingent-owned equipment. Nigeria welcomes the ongoing support provided by bilateral partners to the Trust Fund for AMISOM and encourages partners to provide caveat-free support. In our view, the 18 August African Union technical workshop outlined critical next steps for AMISOM. Establishing a dedicated formed police unit to buttress law and order in Mogadishu, as well as an additional battalion of 300 to protect United Nations personnel, is critical to prevent the overextension of its military resources and capabilities. Cognizant of the importance of building and strengthening Somalia’s internal security forces, Nigeria welcomes the prospect of the adoption of a national security and stabilization plan by 19 October under the political road map. We welcome the road map’s declaration of a comprehensive legislative and security response to the ongoing threat of piracy. Nigeria is encouraged that the consultative meeting held in Mogadishu from 4 to 6 September delineated a concrete set of objectives to reinforce the political process, including the Transitional Federal Institutions. Nigeria has unequivocally stressed that national ownership over Somalia’s political trajectory remains critical for ensuring the sustainability of the peace process. The efforts to adopt a draft constitution and create a credible and stable parliament by next July are significant first steps in developing an enduring and legitimate structure. It bears reiterating that unity and coherence within the TFG and its institutions will go a long way in consolidating recent gains and expediting the implementation of both the Kampala Accord and the post-transition road map for Somalia. Like other delegations, Nigeria is deeply concerned by the unabated humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, including Somalia. We are all aware that more than 12.5 million people are affected by the worst drought in the region in 60 years. It is troubling that this natural disaster may be worsened by the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian efforts by insurgents. Indeed, as many as 750,000 lives may be at deadly risk. The denial of the right to food undermines the right to health, thus ultimately placing at risk the most fundamental of all human rights, namely, the right to life. We call on all parties to guarantee unfettered access to humanitarian agencies as they strive to deliver vitally needed aid. The current crisis is vast in scope and requires the collective resources of the international community to stem the rapidly rising cost in human life. We call on all Member States to contribute to the consolidated Somalia fund. For its part, Nigeria has contributed $2 million to the fund. The coming months will provide the TFG with a renewed opportunity to forge permanent governmental structures and build enduring peace and security. The goals enumerated in the road map are a vital first step. In the face of the difficulties posed by the transition period, insecurity and the humanitarian crisis, delivering on these goals will require not only the comprehensive efforts of the Somali authorities but also the full support of the international community. As the Secretary-General aptly stated, we must capitalize on recent developments and seize the opportunities created by the Kampala Accord, the political road map and the force withdrawal of Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu.

We are grateful to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Augustine Mahiga for his briefing on the situation in Somalia and for his presentation of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2011/549). We are also grateful to the new Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, for his analysis of the situation and prospects. We also thank Mr. Boubacar Diarra, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union for Somalia, for his statement. As has been said, in spite of clear success in driving Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu, the security situation in Somalia continues to be of great concern. Fundamental breakthroughs have not yet been achieved. The efforts of extremists have not yet been extirpated. They continue to control half of the country and they seem unwilling to lay down their arms. We share the concern that the security vacuum following the withdrawal of extremists from Mogadishu may not be filled by the TFG and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), but rather by local militias that are not under the control of the Government. In those circumstances, it is important to prevent the campaign against Al-Shabaab from turning into a clan war of the most unpredictable nature. We are also worried by what is stated in the Secretary-General’s report with regard to delays in the implementation of the provisions of resolution 1964 (2010) and efforts for strengthening African peacekeepers and increasing their force strength to the planned level of 12,000. To consolidate security, there must be active prevention of internal attempts by the Somali opposition. The Security Council must therefore give due attention to the need to increase the effectiveness of the sanctions regime. In our view, the positive outcomes of the consultative meeting in Mogadishu and the adoption of the road map for the conclusion of the transition period are grounds for optimism. The Transitional Federal Institutions must immediately proceed to the implementation of their tasks, with optimal support by participants at the meeting. We view it as important to continue working on the participation of a large number of representatives from local administrations and civil society organizations in the current unprecedented efforts to galvanize stability in Somalia. In the end, comprehensive success in Somalia will depend on Somalis themselves. Of particular concern is the exacerbation of an already chronic humanitarian situation in Somalia. We support the call by the General Assembly for a more effective international response to the situation, where almost half of the population is affected by famine and life support systems are in danger of collapse. The Russian Federation stands ready to provide emergency food aid to Somalia by way of an additional targeted contribution of $2 million to the World Food Programme. Piracy off the coast of Somalia is an area of particular concern for us. This criminal enterprise is itself becoming a threat to peace and security in the region. The force component of the drive against piracy has revealed its insufficiency. However, the situation in those troubled waters continues to be dangerous. In our view, the situation will not improve as long as pirates and their facilitators get away with their actions. In that regard, we are disappointed by the negative reaction of Somali authorities at all levels, in particular the TFG’s response to the promising proposal of international efforts to establish an extraterritorial Somali court. Nevertheless, we continue to work with other States on creating an effective justice mechanism in the region in order to bring pirates to justice. We believe it is appropriate to maintain a step-by- step approach in expanding the presence of the United Nations in the country. In that respect, a key factor would be to take into account the security situation. We favour strengthened coordination of the activities of United Nations bodies working on Somalia. We support the proposal of the Secretary-General to establish a separate sub-unit of AMISOM for the protection of United Nations personnel and those of international organizations in Mogadishu. In close cooperation with its partners, Russia will continue to support the efforts of the President of Somalia and of the TFG in establishing lasting peace and national reconciliation based on the Djibouti Agreements and in the interest of strengthening security and stability in the region. In conclusion, we are grateful to the delegation of the United Kingdom for preparing the draft resolution on the continuation of the AMISOM mandate.

I would like to thank Mr. Mahiga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, for his briefing and his contributions to furthering the peace process in Somalia. I also welcome Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali of the Transitional Federal Government and His Excellency Mr. Diarra, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union for Somalia, to this meeting. Progress has been made recently in the peace process and security situation in Somalia, including the signing of the Kampala Accord and the successful consultative meeting convened in Mogadishu, as well as in the transition process. Good intentions have been shown by various parties in Somalia to build lasting peace and identify the actions necessary to strengthen the peace process in the country. Military operations by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the National Security Force have resulted in important achievements and improved the security situation in Somalia. China welcomes this development and appreciates the contributions of international and regional organizations, such as the United Nations and the African Union, as well as the contributions of the Governments of Uganda, Ethiopia and Burundi. It should be noted that the peace process in Somalia still has a long way to go and faces arduous tasks. The recent famine in Somalia has led to a severe humanitarian crisis. Parties in Somalia and in the international community should now focus on the following efforts. First, they should take advantage of the window of opportunity to vigorously promote the peace process. The concrete implementation of the road map drafted at the consultative meeting on ending the transition phase is the top priority for the next phase of work. It also holds the key to achieving peace and stability in Somalia. China hopes that the parties in Somalia can make use of the current favourable momentum to further strengthen unity, increase mutual trust and strengthen capacity-building in order to ensure the smooth implementation of the road map. The international community should continue to assist the Transitional Federal Institutions through enhanced capacity-building and provide greater support to Somalia’s peace process. Secondly, in order to support the efforts of the African Union to resolve the question of Somalia, we hope that the Security Council will attach great importance to the requests and recommendations of the African Union Peace and Security Council on resolving the issue of Somalia and respond positively. AMISOM plays a vital role in maintaining security and stability in Somalia. China supports the extension of AMISOM’s mandate and calls on the international community, in particular the United Nations, to intensify its support to AMISON by providing greater logistical, technical and financial support. At the same time, we also support the Security Council in positively considering the deployment of a peacekeeping operation in Somalia at an appropriate time. Thirdly, every effort must be made to help Somalia address its humanitarian crisis. China is deeply concerned with the increasing famine in Somalia and welcomes the emergency aid efforts of international humanitarian agencies. We urge the parties in Somalia to fully cooperate with the aid efforts of the international community. China has donated $16 million to support the efforts of the World Food Programme on the famine in Somalia. We call on the international community to continue to provide further assistance to Somalia.

Allow me, at the outset, to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Mr. Mahiga, for his briefing and for his presence here so soon after the successful conference in Mogadishu. I also thank the representative of the African Union and the Prime Minister of Somalia for joining us in the Council today. I will first of all refer to the humanitarian situation in Somalia, which remains of particular concern. Famine was declared in the Bay region last week, bringing to six the number of regions affected by this scourge. There are now 4 million people affected, of whom 450,000 are at risk of imminent death. Worse yet, the famine has almost certainly not yet peaked, although it could do so in the coming weeks or months. It is therefore imperative that we support focused and joint efforts undertaken to help Somalis get through this severe humanitarian crisis. That is why France has allocated €30 million in emergency aid to the Horn of Africa and dispatched 18 tons of child supplements by air and 381 tons of food rations by ship. I welcome the efforts of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide aid to the Somali people. It is a complex task within a territory that is controlled in most areas by Al-Shabaab. In that respect it is necessary for all actors involved, including NGOs, the United Nations country team and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), to coordinate among themselves as best they can. Secondly, the security situation in Somalia remains critical. The withdrawal of Al-Shabaab forces from Mogadishu has shown that things can change in the country. The capital is now completely under the control of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). AMISOM has played an important key role, without which Mogadishu would still be in the hands of Al-Shabaab. It is important that today we capitalize on that progress. AMISOM must secure all of the liberated territory and the positions acquired, in close coordination with the armed forces of the TFG and allied militias. The vacuum left by the withdrawal of Al-Shabaab must not, under any condition, be filled by new warlords. AMISOM must also pursue efforts, together with the TFG forces, to reduce the number of areas remaining under Al-Shabaab control. In order to strengthen AMISOM, Council members raised the troop ceiling from 9,000 to 12,000 troops last year. We would like the African Union to now do everything possible to ensure that this authorized increased troop ceiling be achieved as soon as possible. The strengthening we have also provided for in the United Nations logistical support package for AMISOM should also help to strengthen the force. Thirdly, it must be remembered that AMISOM’s deployment is not an end in itself, but a way to restore peace and enable the establishment of a stable State in Somalia. It is therefore the task of the Transitional Federal Institutions to lay the foundations for that State as soon as possible. France therefore welcomes the adoption of the road map on 6 September in Mogadishu. We hope that it will facilitate the step-by- step establishment of a constitutional framework, bring about national reconciliation and provide basic services to the population. The TFG must be aware of the short time in which it must achieve those goals. In less than one year, it will have to accomplish what it has not managed to do in six years. Every deadline set out in the road map will have to be met from the beginning so as not to fail to attain those goals. It will fall to the international community to help the Transitional Federal Government throughout the process and to ensure follow-up at each step. The support and expertise of the United Nations in this matter will be critical. The presence of the country team agencies and of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia should be strengthened on the ground as much as possible. To facilitate the efficiency and effectiveness of that presence on the ground in Mogadishu, we support the creation of a specific AMISOM detachment of 300 soldiers for the protection of international personnel. The international community has chosen to lend its trust and its support for another year to the transitional institutions in Somalia. Over the coming months, we expect them to demonstrate equal resolve and engagement — hitherto unseen — commensurate with the expectations of the Somali people.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important debate. I welcome His Excellency Mr. Ali, Prime Minister of Somalia, and thank him for his presentation. I also thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Augustine Mahiga for briefing us on the latest developments in Somalia, and I wish to express our appreciation to him for his work, in particular for his pivotal role in facilitating dialogue among Somali stakeholders with such positive results. I also thank Mr. Boubacar Diarra, Special Representative of the African Union Commission for Somalia, for his contribution to our debate. The consultative meeting on ending the transition held in Mogadishu this month represents a very encouraging step forward. We are pleased at the high turnout at the meeting, and we welcome the adoption of a road map for the implementation of the transitional tasks. We are encouraged by the fact that the key tasks of improving security, working towards the new constitution, achieving reconciliation and improving governance have been given high priority. Adherence by the Somali authorities to the timeline set out in Mogadishu will be of the utmost importance. The support of the international community will remain crucial. The fact that the meeting was held in the capital is very meaningful. We congratulate the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on the improvement of the security situation in the capital. That important development signals tangible progress in the security sector. We are also pleased that the United Nations presence in Mogadishu has also increased. In order to build on that positive momentum, it is important that the TFG and AMISOM advance further into areas in central and southern Somalia. As we discuss the renewal of the AMISOM mandate, we must be mindful of the need to grant the Mission the necessary conditions to fulfil its tasks. Expanding AMISOM and enhancing its capability is critical to enabling the Mission to maintain and build upon the recent security gains. Once again, we thank Burundi and Uganda for their continued commitment to the improvement of the situation in Somalia. We are all touched by the tragic humanitarian crisis in Somalia, in particular the widespread famine. The number of children dying of causes related to malnourishment has reached alarming levels. Internally displaced persons and refugees have put an increasing strain on Somalia’s neighbouring countries. Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Somalia must continue to be a priority for the international community. Ending the current famine should be at the top of our agenda. We welcome the fact that humanitarian agencies have stepped up assistance to Somalia. Ways of improving assistance to the populations in areas under the control of Al-Shabaab must be devised. Brazil’s humanitarian assistance to the Horn of Africa has included food donations and financial support estimated at $27 million. To Somalia alone, we have donated 38,000 tons of food. We agree with the Secretary-General and Under-Secretary-General Valerie Amos that there is a need to address not only the immediate crisis but also its underlying causes. Sustainable solutions must be found, taking into account in particular the vulnerable segments of the population. Brazil will continue to work with the Council and the broader United Nations in helping Somalia to overcome its current challenges.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Lebanon. Allow me to begin by thanking Mr. Mahiga for his exhaustive briefing and for his efforts to restore stability and strengthen the United Nations presence in Somalia. Once again, I welcome the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, and thank him for his statement. I also highlight the importance of the participation of Mr. Boubacar Diarra, Special Representative of the African Union Commission for Somalia. We express our deep concern about the worsening of the humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somalia, due to the drought and famine that have beset the country. We insist on humanitarian action being continued, with the involvement of all Somali stakeholders, so as to provide humanitarian aid to all those in need. We welcome the pledges of aid made by donor countries. Lebanon has made its own modest contribution and calls on other States to increase their contributions in order to alleviate the crisis and meet humanitarian needs. In a country where, because of the war and famine, half the population is in urgent need of humanitarian aid, we must not settle for temporary approaches to the security and humanitarian situations that would fail to stabilize the situation in the long term. Somalia needs a comprehensive strategy to strengthen its unity and State institutions and to revitalize its economy. We note the momentum in the Djibouti peace process, especially with the signing of the Kampala Accord, and we are pleased that the consultative meeting held from 4 to 6 September led to a road map defining the transition tasks to be accomplished. We highlight yet again the importance of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), including the new Government, implementing those tasks in accordance with the timeline set out and engaging with local administrations as well as opposition parties to accomplish those tasks. Along those lines, we encourage the administration to cooperate with the TFIs. In particular, we call on donor States to strengthen the central role of the Institutions so as to promote cohesion in Somalia and prevent fragmentation of international aid. Allow me to turn now to the withdrawal of Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu. We welcome that development and call on the Government, with the support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), to implement a plan to stabilize the city. We urge parties to fill the vacuum, prevent the proliferation of militias, and bolster support for civilians by providing increased public services. We condemn piracy and armed robbery and call on the African Union to respond to this global issue by addressing the root causes of the problem. In the absence of an international peace force, Lebanon echoes the Secretary-General’s call for donor States to give AMISOM the same support given to United Nations peacekeeping operations. We call on the Council to seriously consider the proposals contained in the communiqué issued yesterday by the African Union Peace and Security Council. We call on stakeholders and donors to step up their contributions to covering the costs incurred by AMISOM and to remove the reservations related to contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of AMISOM. We particularly welcome the roles played by Uganda and Burundi in helping to strengthen stability and security in Somalia by sending additional troops to reinforce AMISOM. I now resume my functions President of the Security Council. I give the floor to Mr. Serrano.

Let me thank you, Sir, for having invited the European Union (EU) to participate in this debate. I also thank His Excellency Prime Minister Ali for his important statement. I further wish to thank the Special Representative of the African Union Commission, Mr. Diarra, for his presentation, and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Augustine Mahiga for this briefing and all his efforts. The candidate countries Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Iceland; the countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia; the European Free Trade Association country Norway, member of the European Economic Area; as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia align themselves with this declaration. The European Union follows events in Somalia with great attention. It seeks to help efforts to stabilize the country and provide hope for those afflicted by war, insecurity, poverty and starvation. There has been encouraging progress, such as the accord signed in Kampala between several of Somalia’s interested political parties. It is important that this accord be implemented, promises be kept, and the one-year extension of the transition period be put to good use. The adoption of the road map in Mogadishu on 6 September represents an important positive step. As a member of the technical committee facilitating cooperation to implement the road map, the European Union will spare no effort to support the Transitional Federal Institutions on their path to reforms. This needs to happen in compliance with the agreed benchmarks and timelines. Encouraging progress has been made at the security level. The withdrawal of Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu gives more reason for hope. Despite such positive developments, however, the situation remains fragile. And now we are faced with a new challenge: famine. Almost 4 million Somalis are in need of assistance. Thousands are fleeing to neighbouring countries, and food shortages threaten to expand further. Together with international partners, the European Union pursues a comprehensive approach to Somalia. In order to respond to the immediate needs posed by the famine, the European Union and its member States have allocated over €166 million from funds reserved for humanitarian assistance to help the people of Somalia. These funds serve to finance the provision food as well as health care, water and sanitation facilities by a number of partners and United Nations agencies. Stepping up the immediate humanitarian response will save lives, but it is also necessary to invest in long-term solutions to build up resilience to future droughts. This is why the European Union looks closely at the causes of famine. It is committed to supporting programmes in the areas of drought preparedness, agriculture, rural development and food security. EU engagement includes an additional €175 million in development funds recently allocated to Somalia for the period 2011-2013. As part of its comprehensive approach, the European Union is helping to stabilize the country by providing support to the security sector. On 28 July, the European Union extended its military training mission for Somalia by another year in order to help the transitional Government to build up its security forces. Some 150 military staff from 14 European Union States are serving in a mission that has trained around 2,000 Somali soldiers so far. Over the next year, the European Union training mission will focus on developing command and control structures and forming trainers who can then take over the training exercise. . In addition, EU Naval Force Atalanta remains substantially involved in naval operations against piracy off the shores of Somalia. On 7 December 2010, the Council of the European Union extended the operation’s mandate for another two years, until 12 December 2012. The European Union also provides support to the countries in the region that have taken up the task of prosecuting suspected pirates. Other actions focus on building up the maritime capacities of Somalia and neighbouring countries. Within the framework laid out by the International Maritime Organization — the so-called Djibouti Code of Conduct — our objective is to enhance information- sharing and training capacities for maritime administrations. In addition, the European Union is working on a new possible action to support regional maritime capacity-building in the Horn of Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. Measures taken in this context should enhance Somalia’s capacities for controlling its coastal areas on land. We are also intensifying contacts with the United Nations and other relevant actors concerning Somalia’s judicial system and the setting up of Somali courts. Through these actions we aim at strengthening national capacities and the rule of law — vital building blocks for a stable development environment. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) remains a crucial element to support and protect Somalia’s Transitional Federal Institutions. In 2011, the European Union made another contribution worth €65.9 million to AMISOM. It is preparing a €50-million additional support programme for the remaining months of 2011. This will bring overall EU support to AMISOM to more than €258 million since 2007. The security context has changed significantly since the withdrawal of Al-Shabaab from large parts of Somalia, including the capital, Mogadishu. The Transitional Federal Government and AMISOM are facing new challenges, such as consolidating security in newly accessible areas and filling the security vacuum. Addressing these challenges will have clear resource implications. It is important to broaden resource mobilization and to identify alternative and additional sources of funding. All this having been said, the role of the international community is only to assist. The main responsibility for Somalia’s security lies with the Somalis themselves. The European Union will continue supporting the region’s leadership and efforts in finding solutions. It also appreciates strong United Nations leadership in Somalia with a view to providing direction and support to the political process and to coordinating international support. In conclusion, the European Union reiterates its commitment to helping improve the lives, dignity and security of the Somali people. Reconciliation, respect for human rights, the protection of civilians, the inclusion of women in peacebuilding, the rule of law and good governance are indispensable stepping stones on the road to peace and sustainable development. Somalia can count on the EU’s support in this. At the same time, the European Union calls on Somalia’s stakeholders, especially the Transitional Federal Institutions, to redouble their efforts to address the enormous political, economic and security challenges before them. The upcoming meeting of the International Contact Group on Somalia later this month in Copenhagen will provide an important opportunity for the Somali authorities and their regional and international partners to continue working together towards peace and stability in Somalia.

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