Brussels, 21/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Union has welcomed the progress made by Somalia, both politically and in terms of security, since the international 'New Deal' for the country was signed in Brussels in September of this year, but urges the Somalian authorities to step up their efforts to respect the timetable for transition and human rights. The conclusions on Somalia which were adopted without debate in Luxembourg on Monday 20 October, on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council, send this message out loud and clear.
The Council welcomes the measures taken to implement the framework action plan 'Vision 2016' and urges the federal government to keep up the momentum of progress. It stresses the importance of establishing interim regional administrations by the end of the year and the need for continuous and inclusive dialogue between the federal government and all of the regions. This dialogue must ensure the involvement of civil society and women and help to tackle the vital issues of power-sharing and resources more effectively and more transparently, particularly in economic sectors such as infrastructure, the mining industries and fisheries, the Council stresses.
Additionally, the National Independent Electoral Commission and the Boundaries and Federation Commission should be established this year and measures must be taken to hold the constitutional referendum and “a legitimate and inclusive electoral process”. The EU reiterates that it supports the objective of “peaceful and transparent elections in 2016”. It welcomes the efforts made by the federal government and the fledgeling interim regional organisations to support reconciliation at regional level, with the support of IGAD and the significant contribution of civil society and the diaspora.
However, the EU remains concerned by reports of humanitarian law and human rights violations, including violence against women and children, recruitment and use of children, attacks against journalists and arbitrary detentions. It urges the federal government to fight impunity and to take concrete measures to implement fully its human rights roadmap adopted in August 2013 and its action plan on children and armed conflict.
The EU commends the work of the EUTM Somalia mission and the success of AMISOM and the National Armed Forces of Somalia in the Indian Ocean. On the other hand, it expresses concerns at allegations of sexual abuse committed by the forces of the African Union in Somalia.
Readers may recall that the conference of 16 September 2013 for a 'New Deal' between the international community and Somalia led to a mutual commitment in favour of key priorities and further support for the reconstruction of the country, to the tune of €1.8 billion ($2.4 billion) pledged over three years (EUROPE 10923) (AN)