2007 PRESS RELEASES

International Contact Group on Somalia Communiqué
 
April 4, 2007

The International Contact Group on Somalia met at the Headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt, to discuss next steps to advance the political process and stabilize the security situation in Somalia. The Contact Group expresses its serious concern at the recent violence in Mogadishu, in particular the indiscriminate shelling of heavily populated areas and inter-clan fighting, which has resulted in the death, injury, and displacement of many Somalis. The Contact Group calls on all parties to cease immediately all hostilities, followed by comprehensive and permanent cease-fire arrangements. The Contact Group stands ready to assist the efforts of the UN, in partnership with the League of Arab States, African Union, and Inter-governmental Authority on Development, to help broker these arrangements to provide a safe and stable environment for the political and reconciliation process.

The Contact Group reiterates its concern at the continued human suffering in Somalia, particularly following the recent increase in violence, and the burden it imposes on Somalia's neighbours. The Contact Group demands that all parties in Somalia comply with international humanitarian law, guarantee the safety and security for all humanitarian and relief work in Somalia, and ensure the protection of the Somali population.

The Contact Group strongly condemns the actions of extremists and terrorists who continue to threaten the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) and the political and reconciliation process. The Contact Group condemns any threats or hostile action aimed at deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The Contact Group supports efforts to counter these threats, while ensuring that action is proportionate and avoids civilian casualties and disruption of humanitarian efforts. The Contact Group calls on all regional actors and Somalis to marginalize extremists and terrorists and to hold spoilers accountable.

The Contact Group emphasizes the paramount importance of establishing an inclusive and genuine political and reconciliation process reaching out to all parts of Somali society. The Contact Group looks forward to the early convening of the proposed National Reconciliation Congress, at which all relevant groups are represented and allowed to nominate their own representatives, leading to improved representation in the TFIs and a constitutional process for the remainder of the transitional period as envisaged in the Transitional Federal Charter.
Disarmament should take place as part of a comprehensive plan in the context of the overall political process and monitored and supported by the international community. As envisaged in the Charter, the Contact Group encourages the TFIs to move forward with establishment of representative local and regional administrations, and to pay careful attention to the need for a broad-bases administration in Mogadishu as the capital of Somalia.

The Contact Group emphasizes the role of AMISOM and the training of all-inclusive Somali security forces in achieving lasting stability in Somalia and welcomes the deployment of the Ugandan contingent. The Contact Group condemns the killing of a Ugandan soldier and eleven members of the Belorussian airplane crew, and expresses its sympathy and solidarity with Uganda, Belarus, and the AU. The Contact Group welcomes the contributions of several members towards this effort, and reiterates the need for funding and logistical and technical support to the AU and troop contributing countries to facilitate the full deployment of AMISOM, leading to the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia. The Contact Group expresses its appreciation for the contributions of Italy, Kenya, Norway, Tanzania, United States, United Kingdom, League of Arab States, and the European Union in this regard.
Welcoming the recent visit of the UN Technical Assessment Mission to the region, the Contact Group encourages the UN Security Council to consider as soon as possible what more the UN can do to assist in this regard, including arrangements for burden sharing for continued financing of AMISOM.

The Contact Group agreed to hold its next meeting in London.

Agreed in Cairo on April 3, 2007*

*The International Contact Group on Somalia includes Italy, Kenya, Norway, Sweden, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and the United States together with the African Union, European Union (Presidency and Commission), Inter-governmental Authority on Development, League of Arab States, and United Nations.