Brussels, 18/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - EU foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels on 18 May, condemned the recent fighting in Mogadishu, which targeted the transitional federal institutions and the Djibouti peace process. In conclusions adopted without debate, the Council called for the immediate cessation of hostilities to avoid further civilian casualties. It welcomes the steps taken by the new transitional federal institutions to consolidate the inclusive political process, “welcomes the leadership which President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has demonstrated” and calls on all Somalis to support the political process.
The Council also acknowledges the commitment shown by the African Union and stresses the importance of continued international coordination within the International Contact Group on Somalia.
“A stable security environment in Somalia is vital for building state institutions, providing adequate humanitarian aid, kick-starting recovery efforts and reducing the threat of piracy,” the Council notes. It supports the ambition of the new transitional federal government to focus on the development and strengthening of national capacity in the security sector. The Council was encouraged by the unanimous support of the international community for the new transitional federal institutions of Somalia, as manifested at the recent International Conference on Security in Somalia, convened by the UN Secretary General and hosted by the EU in Brussels on 22-23 April (see EUROPE 9888) and stresses the importance of building up the Somali National Security Force (NSF) as soon as possible. The Council invites the General Secretariat of the Council and the Commission, in consultation with UNPOS and the AU, to study possible ways of contributing further to the security sector, including the NSF, in support of the strategy of the transitional federal government. The Council hopes that efforts directed at demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of former combatants can begin soon. (A.N./transl.rt)