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UN hosts mini-summit on Somalia with calls for Government cohesion and more aid

23 September 2010 – Regional leaders met in a mini-summit on Somalia at United Nations Headquarters in New York today with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urging the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to end its differences and deliver basic services, and the international community to do more to support the fragile country.

Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping attended the gathering on the impoverished Horn of Africa country which has not had a functioning central government since 1991 and has been torn apart by decades of conflict and factional strife, mot recently with Al Shabaab Islamic militants.

Mr. Ban cited progress made in a three-phase strategy adopted by the international community two years ago in Djibouti, comprising support to the Somali Government and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), implementation of humanitarian and recovery activities followed by the establishment of a light UN footprint and, conditions permitting, deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation at the appropriate time.

He noted that the broad-based TFG is in place, the constitution-drafting process is proceeding, and AMISOM is nearing its planned strength of 8,000 troops and is holding its ground, with the UN providing substantial logistical support.

“Many elements are falling into place for transforming Somalia’s prospects,” Mr. Ban said. “But action is urgently needed to make sure that we do not waste this crucial opportunity. Above all, the violence must stop. The leaders of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) must overcome their internal differences, strengthen the security forces and complete the transitional tasks.

“The Transitional Federal Government should also focus on delivering basic services to the Somali people, pay salaries to the security forces and continue efforts to build up the security sector.”

He also underscored the vital importance of reconstruction, where the Somali business community, inside the country and in the diaspora, has a role to play. “The international community must also do more,” he stressed. “I appreciate the generous contributions made by donors, but serious funding gaps remain, both to the Government and to AMISOM.”

On piracy, he noted that the international community has established a Contact Group and deployed ships to try to protect navigation off the Somali coast. “But we should do more to implement existing laws and tackle the problems on land, where piracy originates,” he said.