From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sun May 23 2010 - 07:31:47 EDT
Somalia: ISTANBUL DECLARATION
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - 22 MAY 2010
_____
The Istanbul Conference on Somalia took place in Istanbul from 21-23 May,
2010 reflecting the strong determination of the United Nations, the
Government of Turkey and the International Community to work with the
Transitional Federal Institutions and the people of Somalia to defeat the
cycle of lawlessness, violence and despair in the country and to build in
its place a peaceful and prosperous future for the Somali people. The
Conference reaffirmed the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political
independence and unity of Somalia.
The Conference was held within the framework of the Djibouti Agreement,
which provides Somalia and its leaders with a clear and viable path for
achieving a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the situation in
Somalia. The Djibouti Process remains open for all Somalis to work towards
peace, reconciliation and development. The Conference expressed its full
support to President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and the Transitional Federal
Institutions in their efforts to implement the Djibouti Agreement. It
reiterated its commitment to improve the lives and security of the Somali
people, foster reconciliation, human rights and good governance, increase
access to basic services, initiate reconstruction activities and set Somalia
firmly on the path to peace and sustainable development.
The Conference noted the existence of several outstanding commitments made
in previous forums on Somalia and urged the Transitional Federal
Institutions and the International Community to implement them. The
Conference placed particular emphasis on the urgency for the Transitional
Federal Government to address its considerable political, economic and
security challenges. It also encouraged the private sector to play a
positive role in strengthening peace and stability.
1. The Conference Recognized that:
* Somalia's people and leaders face a determined effort, fuelled by
internal and external interference, to hinder social, economic and political
progress. Overcoming the current hardships and insecurity will require a
determined, long-term effort to promote political cooperation and build
strong government institutions, while countering the pervasive influence of
those profiting from the conflict, as well as the presence of foreign
fighters and other elements of extremism.
* It is important that the Djibouti Peace Process and transition are
kept on track. The successful implementation of the Djibouti Agreement
demands the rejection of violence and extremism; continued outreach and
political reconciliation with those outside the peace process who accept
dialogue. The Conference welcomed progress made by the Transitional Federal
Government in this regard, as illustrated by its agreement with Ahlu Sunna
Wal Jama'a in March 2010, and a security accord related to countering piracy
with the Puntland region in April 2010 and on bilateral cooperation in
August 2008. The Conference encouraged Puntland to continue maintaining its
stability and political cooperation with the TFG. It welcomed the current
democratization process in "Somaliland" and urged for peaceful completion of
its upcoming elections in a transparent manner.
* Somalia needs to establish loyal and professional security forces
with a strong and unified command and control structure and reintegrate
those armed groups that have joined the TFG. The re-establishment, training,
equipping, payment and retention of Somali security forces is vital for the
long-term stability of Somalia. The Conference commended all those Member
States and international organizations providing training for the Somalia
security forces. It emphasized the importance of coordinated, timely and
sustained support from the international community and appealed for the
prompt and timely disbursement of funds pledged in support of the Somali
security institutions. In addition, the Conference welcomed the increased
number of trained Somali recruits, as well as the senior Transitional
Federal Government military appointments which will significantly enhance
the command and control structure.
* Somalia's reconstruction and development can only be realised when
governmental institutions, the business sector, civil society, women, the
Diaspora and the international community work together in an effective and
coherent manner. Recovery activities can make a greater contribution to
social, economic and cultural development in Somalia, through further
investment, continued employment-creation and training. The Conference
encourages focus on the six initial priority areas identified by the
Transitional Federal Government and the business community:
telecommunications; transport infrastructure; livestock exports; fisheries,
banking and remittances and; alternative energy. In particular it called for
support to fund the completion of Bossaso and Garowe airports.
* It is critical to have a renewed emphasis on Somalia's economic
recovery and development. The Conference committed itself to work towards
concrete action plans which would include identifying pilot projects for
private-public investment with a view to creating economic zones.
* The Conference welcomed the discussion among the business community,
the United Nations and development partners and the Transitional Federal
Government on the margins of the Conference regarding the "Principles for an
enabling Environment for Responsible Business Activities in Somalia". The
Conference recognized the need to develop business-friendly conditions that
would benefit the entire population. It looks forward to further
consideration of a business Compact for Somalia.
* The Transitional Federal Government, in partnership with the
international community has a major responsibility to respond to the
humanitarian suffering of the Somali people. The Transitional Federal
Government must discharge its responsibilities to assure safe access to
vulnerable populations, deliver basic services, manage public resources
wisely and ensure a just distribution of revenues; introduce anti-corruption
measures, develop and support the private sector; and build the capacity of
its financial institutions. The international community should continue its
support to the Somali people. The Conference accepted that the
reconstruction outcome of the Istanbul Conference will complement existing
humanitarian assistance activities and will not prejudice efforts to
organize a more comprehensive development and reconstruction conference at a
later stage.
2. The Conference:
* Commended the contribution of the African Union Mission to Somalia
(AMISOM) to lasting peace and stability in Somalia and expressed
appreciation for the continued commitment of troops and equipment to AMISOM
by the Governments of Burundi and Uganda and AMISOM Police Contributing
Countries- Burundi, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zambia. It
condemned any hostilities towards AMISOM and the Transitional Federal
Institutions. The Conference also called on other African countries to
provide troops to AMISOM to reach its mandated strength. It appreciated
financial support to AMISOM by the international community and stressed the
need for predictable, reliable and timely provision of resources to the AU
by all partners. In this regard, the Conference called for the expeditious
disbursement of all pledges made at the Brussels Pledging Conference held on
23 April 2009.
* Took note of the important role of the Intergovernmental Authority
on Development (IGAD), and Somalia's neighbours in promoting peace, security
and development in Somalia and the region. It re-affirmed the principles of
good neighbourly relations and urged Somalia's partners to continue to
support effort towards this end.
* The conference welcomed the decision of the Summit of the League
Arab States held in Sirte in March 2010, to convene a conference on Boosting
early recovery activities for Somalia, ın the next few months. It expressed
its appreciation for the determination of the Arab League to build on the
spirit and results of the İstanbul Conference, and to prepare its conference
in full cooperation with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, the
Republic of Turkey, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD), United Nations and the Organization of Islamic
Conference.
* Expressed its grave concern over the increase in acts of piracy and
armed robbery at sea against vessels off the coast of Somalia. Noted with
appreciation the assistance being provided by the United Nations and other
international organizations and donors, in coordination with the Contact
Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia ("CGPCS"), to enhance the capacity
of the judicial and the corrections systems in Somalia, Kenya, Seychelles
and other States in the region to prosecute suspected, and imprison
convicted, pirates consistent with applicable international human rights
law. In this regard, it welcomed the establishment of the International
Trust Fund supporting initiatives of the Contact Group on Piracy off the
Coast of Somalia to defray the expenses associated with prosecution of
suspected pirates and to support other counter-piracy initiatives and
welcomed Member States and other potential donors to contribute to the fund.
Also commended the efforts of other States to prosecute suspected pirates in
their national courts and appealed to other States to facilitate the
prosecution of suspected pirates in their national courts, consistent with
applicable international law, including human rights law. It also expressed
appreciation for the role of the EU operation Atalanta, North Atlantic
Treaty Organization operations Allied Protector and Ocean Shield and
Combined Maritime Forces' Combined Task Force 151, in the fight against
piracy off the Coast of Somalia.
3. The Transitional Federal Government reaffirmed:
* Its primary responsibility to provide security to the people of
Somalia by increasing the number of trained Somali recruits, ensuring
integration of all security forces , including those of the Ahlu Sunna Wal
Jama'a and improving the control and command structure of the Somali Forces.
* Its commitment to continue its outreach, dialogue and reconciliation
efforts, implementing concrete collaboration with Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a and
extending partnerships with regional and local administrations.
* Its commitment to avoid internal disputes so that they will not
hinder the work of the Transitional Federal Institutions and delivery of
services to its people. This also entails working to strengthen its
governance structures, ensure transparency and accountability and efficient
functioning of the Transitional Federal Institutions.
* Its efforts to seek innovative ways to engage with the Somali people
to draft the Somali Federal Constitution. The TFG confirmed that a fully
inclusive and consultative process would be advanced by the third quarter of
2010. It is also crucial for the TFG to take ownership of the tasks
necessary to facilitate the full implementation of the transitional
arrangement;
The Istanbul Conference has reaffirmed the world's commitment to Somalia and
its rejection of all efforts to sow violence and instability in the country.
We send a clear and strong message to the people of Somalia that they are
not alone in the search for peace, reconciliation and prosperity after so
many years of poverty, hardship and suffering. With determined efforts by,
the Transitional Federal Institutions, Somali civil society and the private
sector, in partnership with the international community, a bright future for
Somalia is possible.
The Conference took note that the Government of Spain will host the next
high-level International Contact Group Meeting in Madrid in September 2010.
The Conference expressed its deep appreciation to the Government and people
of Turkey for hosting the Istanbul Conference which is a significant
contribution to the efforts towards achieving peace, security and
development in Somalia.
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