Brussels, 24/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The main aim of the EU is to help Somalis take their country forward towards rule of law, stability, peace and development. That, too, is the aim of all those taking part at the International Conference on Somalia, in London on 23 February, who are aware of the magnitude of the challenges to be raised in a country that is still largely under the control of Shebab radical Islamic rebels and faced with the scourge of piracy off its coasts (see EUROPE 10560 and 10559). At the conference, Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the Commission, was explicit about this, saying: “The European Union is here to support the people of Somalia in their efforts to build a stable political future, to develop their economy and to be able to live in security under the rule of law”. Putting words into action, Ashton said on behalf of the EU that an additional €100 million would be earmarked to finance the heightened needs of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which is to be bolstered in troop strength from 12,000 to 17,731. In exchange, the EU expects progress at the political level to be speeded up such as the setting in place of a new constitution and a stable, accountable political structure that all Somalis will accept. She also expects the government to gear its efforts to development, Ashton said.
The EU high representative said: “We have been putting our words into action through a range of interventions. The EU has saved lives through humanitarian effort to tackle famine and disease. We are also heavily engaged in supporting security. The EU is a major donor of AMISOM, the African Union peacekeeping mission, and I am glad to announce today that we will support AMISOM's crucial work with a further €100 million. The new funding will support the proposed increase in troop strength agreed by UN Security Council Resolution 2036(2012) adopted on Wednesday 22 February. This is a substantial effort, but it will only cover part of the needs, so we call on the international community to step up their assistance.”
Ashton welcomed the success of Operation Atalanta (EUNAVFOR) which has allowed pirate attacks to be contained and secured the delivery of aid. In that context, the EU hopes to go still further to intensify the fight against piracy. “We are also looking at ways to support the build-up of maritime capacity in the countries of the region, to allow them to better control their coasts and seas. We are aiming at bringing pirates to justice through prisoner transfers, and through tackling the source of piracy on land, by imposing rule of law”, she said. Extension of the mandate for Operation Atalanta until 30 December 2014 will be made official on Monday by the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
Commitments taken by those participating at the London conference cover political, financial and humanitarian support to give fresh impetus to the political process, but are subject to strict conditions given that the mandate of the federal transitional institutions expires in August and that there cannot be any further extensions, that the expected political change must be operated and that timid progress already made in combating piracy and terrorist must be consolidated. At the behest of the United States, the London declaration provides for the international community to take action against those who hamper the peace process. (AN/transl.jl)