New York, Jan 31 2011 1:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the need to assist
Somalia's transitional Government in its effort to initiate
reconciliation with other political and armed groups that renounce the
use of violence in favour of the formation of local civil
administrations.
Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) also needs help to
intensify and conclude consultations on the drafting of a new
constitution, Mr. Ban said in an
<"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=5066">address to the
High-Level meeting on Somalia convened by the United Nations and the
African Union (AU) in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on the
sidelines of the pan-African body's annual summit.
"The consultations should provide an inclusive platform for dialogue
among Somalis, including those still outside the political process,"
said the Secretary-General.
He said Somalia's political agenda, as defined in the transition road
map, requires a security strategy to enable the TFG to develop its own
sustainable security forces, deliver basic social services and operate
in an expanded and secure environment, including in Mogadishu, the
capital.
While commending Uganda and Burundi for contributing troops to the AU
Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Mr. Ban said it is necessary to "rapidly
generate and deploy" the new troops recently authorized by the
Security Council, and give the force the technical, logistical and
financial support it needs to do its work.
On piracy, he noted that his Special Adviser on Legal Issues related
to Piracy in Somalia, Jack Lang, has proposed a comprehensive approach
to the challenge of maritime piracy off the country's coast, which is
based on three pillars – deterrence, rule of law and security, and
development.
He also noted that the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) has
initiated the deployment of a light presence in Mogadishu, Puntland
and Somaliland. "This will enhance our engagement with Somali
interlocutors as we assist them with implementation of the road map.
We continue to work to create the appropriate conditions for the
deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation," Mr. Ban said.
He voiced concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in the
Horn of Africa country, saying the number of internally displaced
persons (IDPs). Drought is prevalent, and there are disturbing reports
of human rights violations in areas held by insurgents. Security for
humanitarian personnel and the availability of funds for relief work
are inadequate, the Secretary-General added.
"These challenges require an integrated, comprehensive response that
encompasses many partners and many parts of the UN system. We must all
do our utmost to bring an end to the violence and instability that has
engulfed Somalia for so long," Mr Ban said.
At a separate meeting, the Secretary-General and the President of
Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, discussed the cooperation between
the UN and the TFG, as well as the challenges that lie ahead,
including the completion of the transition period.
Mr. Ahmed presented to the Secretary-General his Government's vision
for the management of the priority tasks for the remaining transition
period.
They also discussed the need for the TFG to accelerate the outreach
and reconciliation efforts, intensify the constitution-making efforts,
and work on a security strategy that would allow a better and secured
delivery of basic social services to the population. The precarious
humanitarian situation in the country also came up during the
discussions.
In a related development, the UN Under-Secretary-General for
Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos,
will make a three-day visit to Kenya and Somalia beginning tomorrow to
assess the drought conditions in the two countries.
Ms. Amos will meet senior Kenyan Government officials to express
appreciation for the country's support for humanitarian action in the
region, including the hosting tens of thousands of refugees over the
past two decades.
She will also consult with humanitarian and development partners from
various UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, as well as
representatives of the donor community on best strategies to promote
early intervention and mitigation for recurring drought in the Horn of
Africa.
She will then travel to Somalia to visit IDP settlements in the
country and hold meetings with local authorities, UN officials and
their NGO partners, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which Ms. Amos heads.
OCHA noted in an update issued today that drought, and not insecurity,
is now the main reason for new displacement in Somalia. According to
the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), nearly 20,000 people
were reported to have been displaced due to drought during the last
two months – many of them moving to urban areas in search of
assistance. Another 10,900 were displaced due to insecurity in
Mogadishu.
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