The Second Istanbul Conference on Somalia, Final Declaration, June 02, 2012
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1. The Second Istanbul Conference on Somalia, under the theme "Preparing
Somalia's Future: Goals for 2015," took place on 31st May and 1st June 2012.
Maintaining the multi-dimensional and multi-layered approach of the first
Istanbul Conference in 2010 on Somalia, it was attended by high level
representatives from 57 countries and 11 international and regional
organizations, as well as by the TFG leadership, the regional
administrations, and representatives from wide-ranging segments of Somali
society, including youth, women, business community, elders, religious
leaders and the Diaspora.
Introduction
2. The Conference reaffirmed its respect for the sovereignty, territorial
integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia. It agreed that for
genuine peace to take hold in Somalia, Somali people should seek dialogue,
reconciliation and political cooperation including in establishing
inclusive, accountable and legitimate governance. The Conference is grateful
for the wide-scale and strong Somali participation, including women, in this
Conference, and the powerful and meaningful messages they have pronounced.
3. The Conference noted that at this critical period in Somalia's history,
the security, political, social and economic achievements of the past year
have given Somalis and the international community a renewed hope for the
future. Somalia has made considerable progress towards achieving stability,
security and reconciliation: this opportunity should not be missed. The
Conference emphasized that August 2012 is the beginning of a new phase of
peace-building, in which all Somalis would contribute to peace and have
their voices heard.
4. The Conference highlighted that primary responsibility for establishing a
political solution in the country lies with Somalis. The role of the
international community is to support Somalis to provide leadership and
ownership in rebuilding a functioning state and local governments that can
provide security, ensure the rule of law and respect for human rights,
provide basic social services and create an enabling environment that allows
for economic opportunity for all its citizens.
5. It reconfirmed the importance of the London Conference that constituted a
milestone in gathering the international momentum on Somalia, and pledged to
ensure a continued coherent and cooperative international approach.
Political
6. The Conference reiterated that the transitional period will come to an
end in August 2012 in accordance with the Kampala Accord, the Roadmap, the
Garowe I and II Principles, the Galkayo Agreement and re-affirmed commitment
made by the Signatories to the Roadmap through the Addis Ababa Communique.
It called for the timely implementation of these decisions and delivery of
pledged funds. The Conference commended the convening of the Traditional
Elders in Mogadishu who are carrying out their task of selecting the members
of the Constituent Assembly and the new Parliament. It welcomed their
efforts to ensure that women meaningfully participate in the process and
constitute 30% of the Constituent Assembly and the new Parliament and the
role of women is enshrined in the constitution.
7. The Conference welcomed the intention that the Constituent Assembly
adopts the provisional constitution of Somalia. It highlighted the
importance of Somali ownership of the constitution through a public debate
and future adoption through a referendum. The Conference also commended the
ongoing public consultations and civic education process in order to allow
the Somali people to have their voices heard and participate in the
political process. The Conference urged the Roadmap signatories to expand
this effort to include newly recovered areas.
8. The Conference expressed the firm expectation that the selection process
of the leaner and more representative Federal Parliament is completed in a
fair and transparent way without any hindrance and that the elections for
the positions of Speaker (and Deputies), and President by the new Parliament
are carried out smoothly by 20 August 2012.
9. The Participants reiterated their firmness in not allowing internal and
external actors or groups to disrupt the smooth implementation of the end of
the Transition. In this context, they commended the joint AU-IGAD-UN letter
of May 2012 to such potential actors in Somalia. They agreed to consider
appropriate follow-up action against those judged to be blocking progress in
the political process.
10. The Conference reiterated the crucial need for the international
community to support dialogue that Somaliland and the TFG have agreed to
pursue.
11. The Participants looked forward to the beginning of a new political
dispensation, with a new Parliament and Government, and emphasized the
importance of those institutions coming to fruition through a more
representative, transparent and legitimate process.
12. In keeping with the London Communique, the Conference reiterated that
respect for human rights must be at the heart of the peace process. It
welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Transitional
Federal Government and the United Nations on 11 May 2012, and called on the
Somali authorities to follow through with their commitment to uphold human
rights and the rule of law, and put an end to the culture of violence and
impunity, and bring about accountability. The Conference called for all
parties to commit themselves to transitional justice mechanisms in the
Post-Transition period.
13. The Conference emphasized that in the post-Transition period, the new
political dispensation in Somalia must begin with a new program aimed at
re-establishing of state and local institutions and administrative
structures, based on and complementary to the current Roadmap including the
newly recovered areas.
14. The Conference noted need to adjust international support to the
political structures in Somalia and called on the UN to review the shape of
its future engagement in Somalia.
Security and Justice
15. The Conference agreed on the need to revitalize funding arrangements.
The Conference took note of the proposal for the establishment of a new
"Rebuilding and Restructuring Fund for the Somali Security Sector" initiated
by Turkey to offer additional support to the Somali security forces.
16. The Conference recognized the need for the international community to
continue to support the re-establishment of a professional, inclusive,
disciplined and well-equipped security apparatus, including the Somali
national army, police, navy, coastguard and intelligence agencies, as well
as mechanisms to ensure civilian oversight of the security sector. The
Conference emphasized the urgency to approve and implement the National
Security and Stabilization Plan and the need to bring all Somali forces
under a unified command. In this context, it recognized the significant
contributions that the EU, including through the EU Training Mission, the US
and Italy are providing in support of the Somali security sector
institutions. The Conference encouraged broader support to these
institutions.
17. The Conference commended the ongoing support of the international
community for AMISOM, particularly by the United Nations, the European
Union, IGAD member-states and the US and other bilateral partners. The
Conference called on new donors to provide financial support to AMISOM
troops including salaries, entitlements, reimbursement of contingent-owned
equipment (COE), and enabling assets.
18. The Conference praised the efforts of the African Union through AMISOM
and particularly those of Uganda and Burundi who have made troop
contributions to AMISOM, and looking forward to the completion of troop
deployments from Djibouti, Sierra Leone and Kenya. Today AMISOM, alongside
its Somali Security Force allies is the main military instrument in ensuring
security and stability in Somalia. We emphasized that the TFG and AMISOM
have to be strongly supported by the international community at this
critical juncture to meet objectives.
19. The Conference agreed that insecurity in Somalia, including sustained
inter clan conflict, persistent violence, illegal charcoal trading,
misappropriation of funds, piracy, kidnapping, terrorism and human rights
abuses and violations, is exacerbated by the crisis emanating from the
deficiency of the state structures and institutions in large parts of the
country. It condemned all acts of violence against civilians, including
journalists, and humanitarian workers in violation of international
humanitarian law and human rights law.
20. The Conference reiterated its commitment to coordinate its efforts in
support to the security and justice sectors through a re-invigorated Joint
Security Committee and its technical working groups and looked forward to
discussing proposals in this regard.
21. The Conference reiterated the need for effective rule of law
institutions. The Conference stressed the importance of a broad consultative
process in developing a plan to strengthen justice and correctional
institutions and called for the establishment of a task force consisting of
the TFG and international partners.
22. The Conference rejected all forms of terrorism, violations of human
rights and violent extremism which endanger the lives of the Somali people,
as well as regional and international peace. The Somali population has
suffered a great deal at the hands of violent extremists and participants
agreed to work together to help build capacity to confront the root causes
of terrorism, tackle terrorism in the region, and disrupt their travel to
and from Somalia. It agreed to work with the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum
and other international and regional bodies to deliver this important work.
23. It condemned the use of child soldiers and sexual violence by the
combatant sides. The Conference also deplored the recent attacks against
journalists. Those who are responsible must be held to account. The
Conference called on all Somalis to renounce unlawful acts of violence, to
operate within a constitutional framework and to support the ongoing
political process. Those who refuse to do so, and instead engage in or
support violence and crime, should be dissuaded, isolated, or otherwise
prevented from derailing the Roadmap and the process of Somali
reconciliation and state-building. The Conference resolved to develop
further a programme to support those who renounce violence.
24. The Conference reiterated that the problem of piracy off the coast of
Somalia requires a comprehensive approach on land as well as at sea that
addresses the root causes of the phenomenon and combines development,
capacity-building, rule of law, deterrence and prosecution on the basis of
UNSC Resolution 2020 (2011) and full compliance of international law. It
called for the reinforcement of Somali-owned judicial capacities. The
Conference looks forward to discussing the issue of piracy in depth and at
length during the UAE's Second High Level Piracy Conference "A Regional
Response to Maritime Piracy: Enhancing Public Private Partnership and
strengthening global engagement to be held in Dubai on 27-28 June 2012 and
the International Piracy Conference to be held in Perth, Australia on 15-17
July, 2012. The Conference further supports the ongoing work of the Contact
Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, including its forthcoming 12th
Plenary Meeting to be held in New York on 25 July 2012.
Local stability
25. The Conference recognized that the Somali leaders with the support of
the international community face a huge challenge in ensuring a stable and
secure environment in the recovered areas as soon as possible. A power
vacuum must not be allowed to develop in those areas.
26. We took note of the work undertaken by the TFG and local governance
structures to promote stabilization and reconciliation in the newly
recovered regions in Somalia. We welcomed the establishment of the National
Policy for Reconciliation and Stabilization in these areas and noted the
need for continued political cooperation, through a transparent and
inclusive process that facilitates the development of effective governance
and stability. The Conference further takes note of the TFG national
reconciliation and stabilization plan for the newly recovered areas and
urges regional and international partners, including AU, IGAD and the UN to
support this comprehensive plan.
27. The Conference called upon the international community to consider
further ways and means of stabilizing and securing emerging areas of
stability and sustaining these through governance programs. The Stability
Fund established at the London Conference shall serve this purpose and thus
should be supported.
Economic Development and Recovery
28. The Conference recognized the continued fragility of the humanitarian
situation. With international support in the summer of 2011, Somalia was
able to overcome the famine and avoid further exacerbation of the
humanitarian crisis. However, more than 2.5 million Somalis remain in crisis
and the risk of a further deterioration persists. The Conference called for
immediate, unhindered access to all populations in need, respecting agreed
humanitarian principles.
29. The Conference recognized the primary role of the Somali authorities as
well as the important role of the international community in assisting
Somalis in strengthening resilience. The Conference welcomed the Partnership
Forum's efforts to build consensus on preventive and preemptive policies in
this regard, and pledged to continue the dialogue.
30. The Conference underlined the importance of finding durable solutions
for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). It stressed in
particular that protection of civilians in accordance with international
humanitarian and refugee law must be maintained at all times by all parties.
31. The Conference recognized the need for a new phase in the approach to
Somalia's economic recovery.
32. The Conference underscored its belief that without special and equal
emphasis on the reconstruction area, work in other spheres would be
incomplete. Starting to rebuild Somalia's infrastructure in Mogadishu and
other areas will contribute to Somalis' confidence in their future and
constitute an incentive and encouragement for all segments of Somalia to
reconcile.
33. Following the outcomes of the working groups on the first Istanbul
Conference on Somalia, participants took note of the discussion of the four
Partnership Forums on 31 May, attended by participants from Government,
international organizations, donors, civil society and the private sector.
It stressed that large-scale multi-year predictable financing was urgently
needed both for infrastructure projects and to enhance the resilience of
Somali communities. The Conference recognized the importance of harnessing
the skills and capacity of the private sector and the Somali diaspora
(Please see Annex 1.)
34. The Conference noted the importance of creating the right investment
climate and agreed that offering conditional investment guarantees will
provide a strong incentive for economic development with equity.
35. The Conference emphasized the importance of encouraging equitable growth
to reduce poverty and deprivation in Somalia including through the promotion
of inclusive business practices and service provision. Participants agreed
on the need for capacity building in the public and private sectors. It was
noted that institutional development was needed to ensure government can
establish a socially responsible and business-friendly regulatory
environment. They recognized the importance of diversification of energy
sources, improvements in the quality and scope of the transport
infrastructure in a way that supports economic development and investment in
urban water supply, rural water supply, water resource management and water
governance.
36. The Conference resolved to continue the discussion through further
public-private dialogue, supported by the United Nations as well as the
Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector in Development.
37. The Conference welcomed ongoing negotiations to establish a mutual
accountability regime built around the proposed Joint Financial Management
Board (JFMB). It urged the early conclusion of the negotiations establishing
the JFMB and noted that the international community remains committed to
helping Somalia better regulate its finances and development assistance.
38. The Conference welcomes the establishment of a multi-donor Trust Fund
for post-Transition financing.
Conclusion
39. The Conference expected the ICG to be held in Rome on 2-3 July to take
stock of the progress made here in Istanbul and give the final impetus to
the very last part of the Transition.
40. The Conference commended the UN, the African Union, the IGAD, the EAC,
the EU, the OIC and League of Arab States, and other bilateral partners for
their relentless efforts in stabilizing Somalia. It welcomed the relocation
of UNPOS and encouraged the UN to continue to relocate staff inside Somalia.
Donors are encouraged to support this. The Conference also encouraged other
organizations and countries to increase their presence in Somalia.
END
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Received on Sat Jun 02 2012 - 21:03:37 EDT
