Brussels, 21/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - As Somalia hits the headlines of international news with the spike in acts of piracy off its coast and throughout the region, the European Commission, which is the largest aid donor for Somalia, will host an international donors' conference in Brussels on Thursday 23 April with a view to improving security in the country (EUROPE 9879). The conference, convened by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, will unfold under the joint auspices of the African Union, the European Union, the League of Arab States and the United Nations, in line with Resolution 1863 of the UN Security Council of 16 January 2009. Participants will include Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the Somali president, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, Louis Michel, European Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the CFSP, Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, and Ramtane Lamamra, African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security.
The aim of the meeting is to discuss the political and security situation and to get donors to make a pledge to provide financial aid to the new transitional government in order to restore security and stability throughout the Somali territory. These are essential to tackle the piracy problem at its roots. Substantial funding is needed to implement the strategy recommended by the Security Council over the next 12 months. €130 million are needed to strengthen the African Union peace mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which should be 8000-strong in 2010 (compared to 4300-strong at present); €35 million is expected to be given in kind (armoured vehicles, personal protective equipment and tent accommodation); and €24 million is for support to Somali security and police forces. Under the terms of the peace agreement sealed in Djibouti in August 2008 between the fighters, the Somali government undertook to set in place a civilian police force of 10,000 and a national security force of around 6,000, as well as a joint security committee chaired by the United Nations which will ensure the role of coordination.
Between 2008 and 2013, the European Commission undertook to provide Somalia with around €215.4 million to support inclusive dialogue and the setting in place of institutions, finance support for security and assist refugee populations with humanitarian aid. (A.N./transl.jl)