UN SECRETARY-GENERAL REMARKS TO LONDON CONFERENCE ON SOMALIA. London,
23 February 2012:
Thank you, Prime Minister Cameron, for bringing us here at this
critical moment and your leadership.
We have opened a space for peace and stability in Somalia.
It is a small space – but it presents an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.
An opportunity to help the people of Somalia … and end the threats and
instability that breed there.
An opportunity to realize the vision of a productive and peaceful Somalia.
Today I call for steps to improve security … advance the political
process … and step up assistance for recovery, reconstruction and
development.
I visited Mogadishu last December.
I saw the damage and danger. But I also saw the promise and potential
of Somalia.
In Dadaab, Kenya … at the world’s biggest refugee camp … I spoke to
Somalis who have lived through war and famine. They asked: does the
world even care?
We must answer with a resounding answer yes.
After a seventeen-year absence, the UN Political Office for Somalia,
UNPOS, returned to Mogadishu. The United Nations is now closer and
more accessible to ordinary citizens, activists, journalists and
businesspeople.
Thanks to the AMISOM troops, we can see a new horizon where the
insurgency gets weaker, the peace progress gets stronger and the TFG’s
authority expands.
But these remarkable gains came at a high price. I pay tribute to the
memory of those very courageous and brave soldiers who gave their
lives for peace in Somalia.
The real tribute now is to support the troops.
I welcome yesterday’s adoption of a new Security Council resolution
authorizing the full recommended troop strength including enablers,
force multipliers and sound financial support.
I call on governments to provide these urgently needed force enablers
and multipliers, and to back the expansion of AMISOM. This is
essential to protect and expand the gains we have made thus far.
The Somali forces operating alongside AMISOM also urgently need
additional assistance.
Ultimately, our goal is to transfer security responsibilities to the
Somalis and establish sustainable, credible and indigenous security
institutions in the country.
This will take time. We must start now.
The Somalis first must agree on what security arrangements best suit
their system of governance. International help must be
well-coordinated to support the national security and stabilization
plan.
As the security institutions take shape, the country needs to disarm.
We are far from our goal of eliminating piracy and kidnappings. Some
246 international seafarers are still being held, many of them from
developing countries. International partners are helping, but we need
security, deterrence and precautions. We also need to give Somalis
real opportunities to find alternative livelihoods and build a better
future.
This morning, my Emergency Relief Coordinator, Under-Secretary-General
Valerie Amos, co-chaired a meeting with member states on humanitarian
assistance.
Her message was clear. Famine may be ending, but more than 2 million
Somalis are still in crisis.
We must not allow any interruption in humanitarian assistance.
Excellencies,
We need political progress.
Maintaining the momentum is critical.
The date for ending the Transition is August 20th, in line with the
Transitional Federal Charter, the Djibouti Agreement, the Kampala
Accord and the Roadmap. Before then, Somalia needs a new
Constitution, a smaller and more representative Parliament and
elections for the positions of President, Speaker and Deputies.
I therefore welcome the recent decisions of the Garowe II conference,
which significantly advance the road map and make the peace process
more inclusive.
I especially welcome the unprecedented commitment to increase women’s
participation in all key institutions to at least 30%. I count on all
the parties to ensure that they keep this promise
We must look beyond and nurture the needs of peace and reconciliation
so that they grow into stable institutions, recovery and development.
In the face of military pressure, Al Shabaab militants have retreated
from large areas. Now we must show the people there how peace can take
hold. Courageous Somalis are ready to work with us to achieve this.
This demands more than resources. It requires outreach and compromise.
All local administrations should be supported by the community,
willing to engage with the peace process and acceptable to the people.
The women and youth of Somalia must be actively engaged in all stages
of the peace process.
I count on the TFG and its allies to encourage this inclusive approach.
The Somali people have told us they want security, justice and jobs.
I welcome the establishment of the local stability fund. I also
welcome the agreed principles for international support to local areas
of stability in Somalia.
The UN has a small but growing presence in these areas – including the
UN Mine Action Service.
Ultimately, Somalia must generate its own resources.
The United Nations stands ready to help Somali institutions improve
their ability to collect and manage revenue.
I call on Somali leaders to establish the country’s Exclusive Economic
Zone to make the most of its rich fishing stock.
Excellencies,
Mogadishu is more than the capital – it stands for the unity and
integrity of Somalia.
Success in the capital is important for progress all across Somalia.
And it would pre-empt spoilers.
We therefore need a surge in Mogadishu to show what is possible in
southern central Somalia.
We need to consolidate military gains, provide basic social services
and contribute to reconstruction.
Sixteen United Nations agencies and our partners are working hard to
make progress. But they are underfunded.
Donors should support the Mogadishu Recovery and Stabilization Plan –
especially projects in newly accessible areas.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I thank Somalia’s neighbours, IGAD and the African Union for their
commitment to the peace process.
Let me also thank the Government of the United Kingdom for its
commitment and the Government of Turkey for hosting the Istanbul II
conference, in early June in which I will also participate.
I count on the African Union to deploy the guard force authorized by
the Security Council.
And I look forward to the day that Somali forces ensure security.
This is a bold agenda.
We have no more time to “wait and see.”
To any donors still wavering, I say: get off the fence. Help prevent
another famine and offer new hope to Somalia.
Somalis have shown astounding resilience in the face of extreme
hardship. They are ready to show the world they can rebuild their
lives and their country with our support.
We can do no less than answer their cries for peace.
Thank you for your leadership.
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