Brussels, 15/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - With just three months to go before the end of political transition in Somalia - a stateless country - the EU27 foreign ministers welcomed, in Brussels on Monday 14 May, the progress accomplished by the country for moving towards a new era. They called for the swift completion and success of the process that should take Somalis forward to a new constitution and democratic institution building. That was the main message expressed in the Council's unanimous conclusions.
The EU calls on the Somali leadership to “seize this opportunity” to keep their commitments to ensure that the deadline of 20 August is respected for completing transition. It underlines that the responsibility for the design and delivery of a political solution lies with Somalis themselves, and that the Garowe Principles agreed by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), the other signatories of the Kampala Roadmap and civil society provide a sound basis for that solution. “The EU welcomes the progress made so far. Crucial now is the establishment of new institutions and the adoption of a new Constitution by a representative Constituent Assembly in full transparency. This Constitution, subject to a national referendum in due course, must be underpinned by respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including women's rights and the rights of persons belonging to minorities”, the Council states.
The EU also welcomes the increased commitment shown by the international community to support the process.
Concerned by delays incurred in implementing key tasks of the roadmap and Garowe commitments, and in particular the formal establishment of the Joint Financial Management Board, it gives its assurance that it will closely monitor progress made. Also, it calls on Somali leaders to settle outstanding matters with a view to completing transition by guaranteeing full participation by the civil society. The EU considers that the conference in Istanbul (31 May-1 June) and the meeting of the International Contact Group on Somalia (Rome, 2-3 July) will provide major opportunities for assessing progress by the deadline of 20 August. The EU states that, wherever necessary, it rejects, as does the international community, any further extension of the mandate of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs).
The EU welcomes the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2036 which expands the AMISOM mandate and calls on all parties to respect the principles of international humanitarian law, especially for protecting civilians and for guaranteeing full access by humanitarian workers to the vulnerable populations in need of assistance. (AN/transl.jl)