IGAD Communique: Communique of the 19th Extra-ordinary Summit

[Fiqikhayre]

IGAD Communique: Communique of the 19th Extra-ordinary Summit

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON DEVELOPMENT IGAD
AUTORITÉ INTERGOUVERNEMENTALE POUR DÉVELOPPEMENT IGAD

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 19th EXTRA-ORDINARY SESSION OF THE
IGAD ASSEMBLY OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT ON THE
SITUATION IN SOMALIA AND A BRIEFING ON THE OUTSTANDING
ISSUES OF THE SUDAN COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AGREEMENT



ADDIS ABABA, 25th November, 2011

The IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government held its 19th Extra-
Ordinary Summit Meeting in Addis Ababa, on 25th November 2011 under the
Chairmanship of H.E. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly during which the
Republic of South of Sudan was admitted to the regional bloc.

The Summit discussed the current political and security situation in Somalia and
the Summit received a brief from AU on the implementation of the outstanding
issues of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The Assembly was attended
by: H.E. Ismael Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E.
Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh
Ahmed, President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, H.E.
Salaheldien Wanasi, State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Sudan, H.E. Garang Diing Akuong , Minister of Commerce,
Industry and Investment of the Republic of South Sudan; Hon. Dr. Crispus
Kiyonga, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Eng. Mahboub
Maalim, IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra,
Commissioner for Peace and Security of the AU, H.E Jerry Rowlings, AU High
Representative for Somalia, and H.E. Boubacar G. Diarra, Special Representative of
the Chairperson of the AUC for Somalia .

The Summit deliberated on the political, security and humanitarian situation in
Somalia, and in particular the Kenya-TFG joint security operations in South and
Central Somalia, in pursuit of Al-Shabaab militants and their Al Qaida affiliates.

In this regard,

The Summit:

Having taken note of the decisions and recommendations made by the 41st Extraordinary
Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers as reflected in their
Communiqué of 21st October, 2011,and their consultative session today, 25th
November 2011;

Considering the brief by H.E. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed President of the
Transitional Federal Government of Somalia on the situation in Somalia and
efforts by the TFG to consolidate security and political control of the country in
line with the Kampala Accord and the Road Map as well as his appeal for
enhanced support and assistance to build the capacity of the TFG security forces;

Also considering the briefing by H.E. Ramtane Lamamra, AU Commissioner
for Peace and Security as well as the statement by H.E Jerry Rowlings, High
Representative of the AU Chairperson for Somalia on the current political and
security situation in Somalia;

Further considering the briefing by H.E. Mwai Kibaki, President of the
Republic of Kenya on the Kenyan security operation in Somalia in pursuit of Al
Shabaab insurgents and other militant groups;

Having taken Note of the gains already made by TFG forces, AMISOM and
Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), and the need to galvanize international support to
consolidate and expand these gains;

Recalling the previous decisions of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and
Government and the Council of Ministers on Somalia;

Considering the decisions of the Ministers of Defense and Chiefs of Defense Staff
of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) and other interested countries at their
consultative meetings held in Addis Ababa between September, October and
November, 2011, on the consolidation, co-ordination and expansion of AMISOM,
that was endorsed (by the meeting of Ministers for and Chiefs of Defense Staff) on
14th November, 2011;

1. Welcomes the admission of the Republic of South Sudan as the newest full
member of the IGAD community.

2. Strongly condemns the destabilization activities of the Al Shabaab and
other militant groups in Somalia and the Region;

3. Welcomes the joint security operation by Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and
TFG forces in pursuit of Al Shabaab in South and Central Somalia; and
understands, appreciates and supports the joint operation as a unique
opportunity for the region to consolidate gains made and restore stability and
security in Somalia. In this regard, emphasizes the need for regional
solidarity and enhanced coordination between AMISOM, TFG forces, and
KDF in order to successfully defeat Al Shabaab and bring to an end the state
of lawlessness that has prevailed in much of Somalia over the last two
decades;

4. Calls upon the TFIs to expedite the finalization and endorsement of national
security and stabilization processes;

5. Stresses the need for enhanced engagement by IGAD and the AU in
galvanizing international support for the on-going operation with a view to
building on the momentum created by the joint operation;

6. Calls upon the Ethiopian Government to support the Kenyan- TFG and
AMISOM operation. Further calls upon Kenya to consider the prospects
of integrating its forces to AMISOM and to consolidate security and
stability in Somalia;

7. Pays tribute to TFG forces, AMISOM and the Troop Contributing
Countries (TCCs) for their continued sacrifices in pursuit of peace and
security in Somalia, which has resulted in the diminishing of Al Shabaab
threats and subsequent consolidation of security in Mogadishu and its
environs. In this regard Urges that an audit of threats to Mogadishu and the
requirements to deal with such threats be conducted with a view to assessing
the appropriateness of deployment in all the liberated areas;

8. Urges the TFG leadership to take advantage of the expanded liberated
territories and populations to foster security, enhance national
reconciliation, and consolidate political and administrative control in the
country and to promote inclusive political participation in line with the
Djibouti Peace Process, Kampala Accord and the Road Map.Reaffirms
TFG primary responsibility in establishing local administration in the
liberated areas. In this regard, the summit reiterates the commitment and
determination of IGAD Member States to continue supporting the TFG in
this endeavour; and urges Somalia political leadership, particularly
Members of Parliament to operate in Somalia and in this regard, calls upon
neighboring countries to assist them;

9. Notes with appreciation the decision of Djibouti to provide troops to
AMISOM by the end of the year and calls on other African countries which
have pledged troops to AMISOM to urgently fulfill their pledges to enable
AMISOM consolidate security in other regions of Somalia beyond
Mogadishu, in particular South-Central Somalia and other liberated areas.

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10. Notes with concern that Kenya continues to carry the heaviest refugee

burden, and in this regard calls on the international community to urgently

develop modalities for burden-sharing, and urge humanitarian aid agencies

to relocate to the secure parts of the country in order to provide humanitarian

assistance to the drought and famine-stricken communities in a more

effective manner and stem migration;

 

11. Welcomes the UNSC decision to extend for 12 months authorization for

those countries cooperating with the TFG to use ‘All Necessary Means’ to

Combat Piracy and Armed Robbery(Resolution2020), further calls upon

the international community to respond to its obligations under the 13

UNSC Conventions on Anti-terrorism to tackle the threats to international

peace and security in Somalia and stresses the need for a comprehensive

response to tackle piracy, armed robbery and terrorism and their underlying

causes;

 

12. Further calls on the UNSC to enhance the mandate of AMISOM and to

authorise its strengthening to a level and size that is appropriate for the

consolidation of peace and security in Mogadishu and South and Central

Somalia and other secured areas; and reiterates its previous calls on the

UNSC to adopt a resolution that enforces measures to control access to the

Ports of Kismayu, Haradhere, Marka and Barawe and an air-exclusion zone

over air space controlled by Al Shabaab such as Baidoa, Balidogle, N5O and

Cisaley to cut off arms supplies to Al Shabaab;

 

13. Decides to work with all parties involved in the search for sustainable peace

and security in Somalia;

 

14. Directs the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers and IGAD Secretariat to

make the necessary arrangements to ensure continuous consultations of the

IGAD Chiefs of Defense Staff and the military experts on how to support the

process of coordination on the ground;

 

15. Reiterates the need to sustain support to the TFG Security forces and

AMISOM to secure safe corridors for humanitarian assistance and urges the

UN humanitarian agencies and other international humanitarian

organizations to enhance their efforts towards aid deliveries to the needy;

 

16. Expresses appreciation to partner countries and organizations that are

currently providing financial, material and technical assistance to the TFG

And urges mobilization of the international community to increase technical

and financial resources to the TFG and the formation of a Joint TFG-Donor

management board in line with the Declaration of the Nairobi Summit on the

Horn of Africa Crisis of 9th September 2011;

 

17. Notes with appreciation the efforts of Member States and partners in

development in addressing drought in the Horn of Africa and expresses its

commitment to fully support the proposed IGAD Regional Platform as a

vehicle for enhanced partnership to promote relief –development continuum

And reaffirms its decision of September 8-9,2011 directing IGAD to take

the lead in coordinating efforts of all other actors in +

 

18. ending drought emergencies in the Region;

 

19. Directs the IGAD Secretariat to transmit Decisions of the Summit to the

African Union Commission and the United Nations Security Council;

 

20. Strongly urge the Governments of Sudan and the Republic of South

Sudan to urgently resume negotiations and expedite implementation of the

outstanding issues of the CPA;

 

21. Commends the continued role of Ethiopia in providing peace keeping forces

in the Abyei Region.

 

22. Recognizes the situation of Djiboutian prisoners taken by Eritrea and

demands the Government of Eritrea to free all Djibouti Prisoners of War

without further delay;

 

23. Condemn the Government of Eritrea for its continuing supply of

ammunitions to the extremist group particularly Al Shabab whose intention

has always been to destabilize the Region;

 

24. Expresses its appreciation to the Government and the people of Ethiopia

for hosting this Extra-ordinary Summit;

 

25. Decides to remain seized of this matter.

 

Issued this 25th of November, 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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