On Thursday 15 September, the European Parliament called for the national security and protection system for people in Somalia to be strengthened and for greater support from the international community for the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali government in restoring peace and stability.
In a joint resolution from the EFDD, ECR, EPP, ALDE, Greens/EFA and S&D groups adopted by show of hand, the MEPs urge the government to speed up introduction of the new security policy in the light of the persistent threat from al-Shabab. They say an overarching dialogue is needed among the country’s social categories, including all the clans and tribes, to improve mutual understanding and establish consensus in favour of stable and sustainable peace.
The MEPs also strongly condemn the raft of murders, arrests, acts of intimidation, closure of media expressing criticism, confiscation of equipment and blocking of internet sites. The European Parliament says urgent measures need to be taken by the Somali authorities to ensure that all violations of the right to freedom of expression are investigated in detail and the perpetrators are prosecuted. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)