SC/8773
14 July 2006

Security Council Expresses Support for Somalia's Transitional Government, Parliament; Says Prepared to Consider Exemption to 1992 Arms Embargo

NEW YORK, 13 July (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council this afternoon expressed its support for the Transitional Federal Government and Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia as "the internationally recognized authorities to restore peace, stability and governance", and expressed its readiness to consider an exemption to the 1992 arms embargo in order to pave the way for deployment of a peace support mission and help facilitate the re-establishment of the country's national security forces.

In a presidential statement read by Council President Jean-Marc de la Sablière (France), the Council also stated its willingness to consider possible deployment of a peace support mission on the basis of a detailed mission plan from the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) or the African Union.

The Council welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached 22 June in Khartoum between the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia and the Islamic Courts. It condemned the recent fighting in Mogadishu and requested all parties to adhere to the ceasefire and requested all parties inside and outside of Somalia to refrain from action that could provoke violence and violations of human rights and endanger the ceasefire.

Expressing its grave concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country, it demanded that all Somali leaders ensure complete and unhindered humanitarian access, as well as providing for the safety and security of the humanitarian aid workers in Somalia.

The meeting, which started at 3:09 p.m., was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2006/31 reads as follows:

"The Security Council reaffirms all its previous statements and resolutions concerning the situation in Somalia, in particular the statement by its President of 15 March 2006 (S/PRST/2006/11).

"The Security Council reiterates its commitment to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the situation in Somalia and its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia, consistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

"The Security Council reiterates its strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. François Fall. The Security Council encourages Ambassador Fall and other UN agencies and offices to actively engage in the region to promote peace and stability. It calls upon all Member States to provide him their full support in this regard.

"The Security Council supports the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) as the internationally recognized authorities to restore peace, stability and governance to Somalia. It notes the importance for stability in Somalia of broad-based and representative institutions and of an inclusive political process, as envisaged in the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC).

"The Security Council welcomes the agreement reached in Khartoum on 22 June between the TFG and the Islamic Courts, sent to the Presidency of the Security Council on 29 June 2006 (S/2006/442). The Security Council commends the League of Arab States (LAS) for facilitating the talks. The Security Council condemns the recent fighting in Mogadishu and requests all parties to adhere to the ceasefire agreed on 22 June. In this regard, the Security Council emphasizes the importance of dialogue between the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) and the Islamic Courts.

"The Security Council therefore urges all parties involved in this dialogue to engage constructively at the next round of talks scheduled for 15 July, where it looks forward to further progress in pursuit of a lasting political process.

"The Security Council requests all parties inside and outside of Somalia to refrain from action that could provoke or perpetuate violence and violations of human rights, endanger the ceasefire and political process, or further damage the humanitarian situation.

"The Security Council expresses its grave concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia, and demands that all Somali leaders ensure complete and unhindered humanitarian access, as well as providing guarantees for the safety and security of the humanitarian aid workers in Somalia.

"The Security Council commends the African Union (AU) and the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) for their continuing efforts to promote peace and stability in Somalia and the region. The Council notes their meetings of 19 June and 28-29 June 2006, and welcomes the role of the AU/IGAD/LAS and European Union fact-finding mission to Somalia on 5-7 July 2006 in promoting peace, stability and a political process.

"The Security Council welcomes the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the AU in Banjul on 5 July 2006, and notes that meeting's request for the Security Council to consider an exemption to the arms embargo imposed on Somalia by resolution 733 (1992) of 23 January 1992, to pave way for a possible deployment of a Peace Support Mission (PSM) and to help facilitate the re-establishment of the national security forces of Somalia.

"The Security Council states its willingness, if it judges that a PSM would contribute to peace and stability in Somalia, to consider the above request for a PSM, on the basis of a detailed mission plan from IGAD or the AU.

"The Security Council welcomes the fact that the TFG and the TFP were able to agree on 14 June 2006 to adopt the National Security and Stabilization Plan for Somalia. The Security Council believes that the adoption of a security plan is an important step towards providing a framework for effective security sector reform in Somalia, in order to help deliver peace for all Somalis.

"The Security Council expresses its readiness to consider a limited modification of the arms embargo to enable the TFIs, on the basis of a sustainable peace process, to develop Somalia's security sector and national institutions capable of responding to security issues.

"The Security Council emphasizes, however, the continued contribution made to Somalia's peace and security by the arms embargo, and calls on all to comply with it. The Security Council reiterates its intention to consider urgently how to strengthen the effectiveness of the arms embargo.

"The Security Council welcomes the outcome of the first meeting of the International Contact Group on Somalia."

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