4-6 SEPTEMBER 2011, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA
1. On behalf of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, I am pleased to join the previous speakers in warmly welcoming you to this very important consultative meeting on ending the transition in Somalia.
2. The holding of this conference in Mogadishu is in itself a testament to the immense progress that has been recorded on the ground by AMISOM peacekeepers and TFG forces. Few weeks ago, the Joint Security Committee also convened in Mogadishu for the very first time. The significance of these developments is certainly not lost on us; rather, they provide further impetus to our ongoing efforts to support the people of Somalia in finding lasting peace and security.
Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen,
3. Over the next three days, the people of Somalia will debate in an open and frank manner on the future of their country. The level of representation today by all stakeholders, particularly the Somali institutions, has already demonstrated a collective desire to develop an all-inclusive strategy for the implementation of the core tasks entrusted to the Transitional Federal Institutions. This deserves to be applauded.
4. I would like to reassure the people of Somalia and our international partners that the African Union remains fully seized of the situation in Somalia. The AU considers this consultative conference as a critical stage in the Djibouti Peace Process, and it is closely following these deliberations.
5. You will recall that the Peace and Security Council, at its at its 273rd Meeting held in Addis Ababa on 21 April 2011, appealed to the TFIs to take all the necessary steps to ensure the successful convening of this meeting in Mogadishu, as well as to map out a clear political strategy in line with the tasks set out in the Djibouti Agreement.
6. The Council also called on the Somali leaders and institutions to build upon the recent positive developments on the political front, with the signing of the Kampala Accord of 9 June 2011 and the commendable progress achieved so far in its implementation. It further highlighted the importance of the TFIs accelerating the political process as an essential element in consolidating the remarkable security gains achieved by TFG and AMISOM in the past few months.
7. As we formally begin these important deliberations, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the call by the AU PSC for the Somali leaders and institutions to work cohesively in addressing the political, security and humanitarian challenges confronting this country.
8. There is no doubt that the transitional Institutions and the other Somali stakeholders have done a commendable job, so far, in the implementation of the Kampala Accord. Nonetheless, the substantive work remains in the adoption and implementation of the Transitional Road-map. That is why this consultative meeting remains very critical.
9. Somali stakeholders participating in this consultative meeting have a responsibility to come up with a Roadmap that contains very clear benchmarks and timelines of the transitional key tasks to be accomplished before August 2012. It is also important to identify the specific institutions required for each expected output, the resources required, and the mechanisms to monitor and ensure compliance with the roadmap implementation schedule of activities.
10. As envisaged in the draft Roadmap developed by the main Somali parties, participants at this consultative conference should strive to reach consensus on the core issues, such as increased security across the country, adoption of a constitution, greater outreach and national reconciliation, good governance, transparency and accountability, and enhanced service delivery to the population. These tasks are among those that area spelt out in the Transitional Federal Charter, the Djibouti Agreement and the Kampala Accord. The challenge now is to more concisely articulate these tasks into concrete deliverables, place them within specific timelines, and develop transparent and effective compliance mechanisms.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
11. I would like to remind that the primary responsibility to resolve the protracted conflict in Somalia rests with Somalis themselves. The African Union and all other international partners are firmly supporting the peace and recovery efforts through our facilitation role, and the provision of technical and material support to the Somali institutions. However, the people of Somalia must continue to exercise full ownership of this process. One of the best means of demonstrating this Somali ownership is through the decisions to be reached at this consultative meeting.
12. In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you once again for your honoured participation in the consultative forum. It is our expectation that at the end of the three days of brainstorming, technical work and decision-making, the Somali stakeholders would reach consensus on a clear blueprint for the remaining months of the transitional process.
13. I wish all participants a good stay here in Mogadishu, and I am optimistic that there will be very fruitful discussions over the next three days.
I thank you
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