London conference backs Somalia’s stabilisation plan

By PPS

London, United Kingdom: The London Conference on Somalia has agreed on the need for the international community to support the Somalia Federal Government’s plans in security, justice and public financial management.

In a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day conference on Somalia, participants also agreed on several measures to be taken in order to assist the Horn of Africa country in its reconstruction and stabilization efforts.

The conference which took place at Lancaster in the United Kingdom was co-hosted by the UK and Somalia and attended by 54 friends and partners of Somalia including Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta.

On the issue of refugees, the conference endorsed the tripartite dialogue initiated by the Somali and Kenyan governments alongside UNHCR to develop a framework for sustainable returns and looked forward to the forthcoming conference in Nairobi.

Security

On security, the leaders attending the conference agreed to support the implementation of the Federal Government’s security plans through existing structures.

They resolved to coordinate their assistance under a Federal Government-led co-ordination mechanism.

The conference also welcomed the extension of AMISOM's mandate for a further year in UN Security Council Resolution 2093.

Noting the partial suspension of the arms embargo as recognition of political progress, the conference urged the Federal Government of Somalia to fulfil its obligations by providing safeguards to protect Somalia’s citizens and neighbours.

Acknowledging the Somalia Federal Government’s Maritime Resource and Security Strategy, the leaders commended the Somalis and international partners for the progress made in combating piracy over the last one year.

In this regard, they reiterated their determination to work with Somalia to eradicate piracy and other maritime crimes and expressed their support for the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to establish an internationally- recognised Somali waters which will help it protect its abundant maritime resources and revitalise economic activities as well as end toxic dumping and illegal fishing.

Puntland elections

On the political front, the leaders reaffirmed their support for building capacity in democratic institutions throughout Somalia, beginning with support for local elections in Puntland next month.

In this connection, the conference noted the progress on forming regional administrations and encouraged the regions to work closely with the Federal Government to form a cohesive national polity consistent with the provisional constitutional.

On justice and policing, the conference welcomed the Somalia Federal Government’s vision for equal access for all to a robust, impartial and effective justice system.

In this regard, the leaders committed to support the Somali Government’s establishment of an effective and secure criminal justice system, including the establishment and maintenance of prisons to boost Somalia’s ability to tackle terrorism in a human rights-compliant manner and reduce the threat from Al Shabaab in the long-term.

In public financial management, the conference committed to coordinate assistance using the structure set out by the Government of Somalia.

In line with the outcomes of the G8 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, the leaders welcomed the re-engagement of the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund with the Federal Government of Somalia.