SOMALIA: COMMUNIQUÉ OF 53RD EXTRA-ORDINARY SESSION OF THE IGAD COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

The IGAD Council of Ministers held its 53rd Extraordinary Session on Somalia on 10 January 2015 at Hotel SYL in Mogadishu. The Council meeting was officially opened by H.E President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of Somalia. H.E Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmake presided over the closing session. The Council meeting was held under the Chairmanship of H.E Dr Tedros Adhanom, the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and the current Chair of the IGAD Council of Ministers.

The Council Meeting was attended by Ministers and Ambassadors from the Republic of Djibouti, H.E Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the Republic of Kenya, H.E Amb Amina Mohamed, the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E Abdirahman Duale Beyle, the Republic of Sudan, H.E Kamal Ismail, the Republic of South Sudan, H.E Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the Republic of Uganda, H.E Asuman Kiyingi and the Executive Secretary of IGAD, H.E. Eng. Mahboub Maalim.

The Special Representative of the African Union Commission, the IGAD Special Envoy for Somalia, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General for Somalia, the IGAD International Partners Forum (IPF) Chair and representatives of the European Union also attended the meeting.

H.E President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of Somalia welcomed the IGAD Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers noting that this was the first Council meeting to be held in Mogadishu since the collapse of the Somali state. The President highlighted that Somalia is undergoing a fragile transition from a failed state to state in the making and that this period represents the best chance for state building the country has had for decades.

He noted that the FGS is laying the groundwork for its political transition through the realization of its Vision 2016. The President noted with appreciation the role that IGAD members have played in Somalia both in times of peace and stability as well as during the difficult civil strife and today’s state building process. The President concluded his statement by recognizing IGAD member states’ strong commitment to supporting Somalia’s state building and reconciliation process and looked forward to continued support and partnership.

The Council received reports from the Federal Government of Somalia on the implementation of Vision 2016, security and the integration of forces, stabilisation and access to recovered area. The Council was also briefed by the IGAD Special Envoy on the IGAD Office of the Facilitator for Somali Peace and Reconciliation’s engagement in Somalia in line with the priorities agreed in previous IGAD Heads of States and Government decisions.

Recalling the previous decisions of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government and the Council of Ministers on Somalia:

The Council:

1. Reaffirmed its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, and unity of Somalia

2. Noted with appreciation the efforts made by the Federal Government of Somalia to resolve the recent political crisis within the framework of the mandated federal institutions, congratulated the new Prime Minister H.E Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmake on his appointment and looked forward to a stable political environment between now and
2016.

3. Welcomed the Federal Government of Somalia’s update on the implementation of Vision 2016; the security situation and the integration of forces, stabilisation and access to recovered areas.

4. Commended the progress made on state formation in the Interim Jubaland Administration and Interim South West Administration and looked forward to the establishment of Regional Assemblies in these two interim federal administrations.

5. Urged the Federal Government to rapidly conclude the remaining Central regions, Middle Shabelle and Hiraan state formation processes.

6. Underlined the importance of establishing inclusive Interim Federal Regional Administrations and Assemblies in line with the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

7. Welcomed the 15 November 2014 Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Interim Jubaland Administration and pledged IGAD’s continued support to the on-going state formation process.

8. Reiterated the ownership of the Federal Government of Somalia in leading and setting the priorities for its stabilisation and reconstruction in an all-inclusive manner.

9. Condemned the recent Al Shabaab attack against the AMISOM Headquarters in Mogadishu and their continued attacks against the civilian population. The Council of Ministers vowed to fight Al-Shabab to the end till lasting peace is maintained in Somalia.

10. Noted with appreciation the continued courage and commitment of AMISOM and Somalia National Security Forces and the recent successful joint operations – Operations Eagle and Indian Ocean.

11. Appealed to AMISOM troops and the Somalia Security Forces to expand their operations and immediately recover the remaining areas controlled by Al Shabaab.

12. Recalled the Federal Government of Somalia’s roadmap on the integration of forces presented at the London Security Event in September 2014.

13. Urged the Federal Government of Somalia to rapidly develop a roadmap and engage with federal states and interim administrations to agree the modalities and timelines for the integration of forces and establishment of Regional Police.

14. Noted the Federal Government of Somalia’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive electoral process in 2016.

15. Encouraged the Federal Government of Somalia to expedite the outstanding legal and administrative processes required to deliver an electoral process within the mandated Constitutional timeline.

16. Welcomed the Federal Government of Somalia’s commitment to adopting a Final Constitution

17. Agreed to provide all necessary technical support to the Federal Government of Somalia and other federal institutions including lessons learned from IGAD member states’ own Constitutional development processes.

18. Recognized the critical role that the IGAD Office of the Facilitator for Somali Peace and National Reconciliation continues to play in supporting the implementation of the Federal Government’s Vision 2016.

19. Welcomed the IGAD Office of the Facilitator for Somali Peace and National Reconciliation Strategic Action Plan 2015 – 2016.

20. Directed the IGAD Office of the Facilitator for Somali Peace and National Reconciliation to strengthen its Mogadishu Liaison Office and to establish in consultation with the FGS its presence in the rest of the country to support the stabilization process in line with Vision 2016.

21. Reaffirmed the strong solidarity among IGAD member states and their commitment to continue supporting Vision 2016 and the key reforms in various priority areas.

22. Expressed appreciation for international partners and organizations that are currently providing financial, material and technical assistance to Somalia and appeals for an increase in the level of support through the Neal Deal Compact Financial architecture- the Somali Development and Reconstruction Fund.

23. Commend the on-going dialogue between FGS and Somaliland and thanked the governments of Djibouti and Turkey for their support to the process.

24. Commend the Government of Djibouti and the opposition for the agreement signed on the 30th of December 2014 on the political dialogue and recognize the return of the opposition MPs to the national assembly of Djibouti.

25. Approved the nomination of Dr. Guleid A. Artan as the director of IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC)

26. IGAD strongly condemns and deplores those seeking to destabilize the security, peace and stability of the country, indeed the state-building of Somalia and the region.

27. Recommend to hold the next IGAD Summit in Mogadishu in 2015.

28. Expresses its appreciation to the Government and the people of Somalia for hosting this Extra-ordinary Session.