The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Assembly of Heads of State and Government has today urged the United Nations to take expeditious measures to fulfill its share of responsibilities as stipulated in the Djibouti agreement of August 19th, 2008 to cover the cost needs of the 10,000 strong police force for Somalia.
In a 21 point communiqué issued after the 13th ordinary session of IGAD held in Nairobi to consider the political, security and humanitarian situation in Somalia, the Heads of member State and Government welcomed the agreement signed in Djibouti between the transition federal Government and the alliance for the re-liberation of Somalia on implementation of cessation of armed confrontation.
The regional Heads of State and Government who included President Mwai Kibaki, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Abdullahi Yusuf of the TFG of Somalia and Salva Kirr Mayardit, the 1st vice President of Sudan, expressed profound concern regarding the political paralysis in Somalia which has contributed to deterioration of security and near hopelessness of the citizens.
The Leaders regretted the lack of unity and unhelpful competition among the leadership of the Transition federal institutions (TFI) that are working at cross-purposes has been the principal factor that has led to lack of progress in the national reconciliation efforts.
The Leaders called on the international community to support the strengthening of the TFIs through capacity building and provision of technical assistance and the urgently needed humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of thousands of the displaced people of Somalia.
The leaders further noted the increased incidents of piracy along the Somalia coastline and welcomed the use of force to combat the vice as stipulated in UN Security Council resolutions 1816 and 1838.
The communiqué expressed regret over the delay and pre-variations of the International community in its response to repeated appeals by IGAD, the African Union and the United nations to strengthen and provide the necessary support to African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
The leaders commended the Governments of Uganda and Burundi for contributing troops to Somalia under a bilateral agreement with the TFG and also saluted the AMISON and Ethiopian troops for their commitment to fulfillment of tasks under difficult conditions.
The IGAD Assembly also provided a timeline for the Somali transition Federal Institutions to appoint a cabinet on the basis of the previous resolution of Parliament of October 11th, 2008 in 15 days time.
The declaration proposed establishment of a joint security committee (JSC) and its subcommittees as stipulated in the Djibouti agreement that shall be operational effective November 10th, 2008 but not alter that November 28th, 2008.
Other declarations are for the TFG to establish the Banadir administration as stipulated in the Addis Ababa roadmap within 15 days and finalize drafting the Somali constitution, enact electoral and parties act within six months.
On the Issue of extension of the transition period the Assembly noted that the request may be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Transition Federal Charter on the basis of the progress made on the ground.
IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government would be meeting every six months to review the progress made in the implementation of the decisions.
The Leaders also decided that the anchor of all efforts in relation to Somalia must be IGAD, which would provide a coordination mechanism in the area of institutional and capacity building.
In default of the declaration, the IGAD Assembly shall meet and review its options in regard to Somalia, the communiqué said.