Memorandum by The International Contact
Group on Somalia
The International Contact Group on Somalia met
on 5 January 2007 to coordinate international efforts to foster
stability, security, and reconciliation in Somalia. There is an
historic opportunity for the Somali people to reach sustainable
political solutions for Somalia based on the framework of the
Transitional Federal Charter. The Contact Group confirms its readiness
to provide immediate support for the stabilization of Somalia
based on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1725,
the effective functioning of the Transitional Federal Institutions,
and to provide immediate humanitarian and development assistance.
The Contact Group welcomes the commitment of
President Abdullah Yusuf to inclusive governance and his determination
to prevent a resurgence of warlordism made at today's meeting.
The Contact Group believes that, if international support is to
be effective, it is essential that an inclusive process of political
dialogue and reconciliation—embracing representative clan,
religious, business, civil society, women's, and other political
groups who reject violence and extremism—be launched without
delay. In particular, the Contact Group further believes the move
of the Transitional Federal Institutions to Mogadishu and the
establishment of a representative local administration in the
capital will be important milestones.
The Contact Group emphasized the urgent need
for funding to facilitate the deployment of a stabilization force
in Somalia based on UNSC Resolution 1725. The Contact Group welcomes
Uganda's offer to deploy forces to Somalia as part of this stabilization
force and the upcoming mission of the Foreign Minister of Kenya,
on behalf of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD),
to explore additional troop contributions. To establish local-level
stability throughout Somalia, effective Somali security forces,
including a civilian police force, must be quickly developed.
The Contact Group notes the important role of the United Nations
in facilitating longer-term reconstruction and stabilization in
Somalia.
As a demonstration of solidarity with the Somali
people, the Contact Group reaffirmed its commitment to continued
provision of humanitarian assistance. The Contact Group urges
the international community to provide immediate concrete assistance
to the Transitional Federal Institutions to strengthen the key
institutions of governance, including in the security sector,
in their efforts to implement the Transitional Federal Charter.
The Contact Group appreciates the key role played by non-governmental
organizations and civil society. The Contact Group also welcomed
the emerging Reconstruction and Development framework and agreed
that a donor's conference should be convened in due course to
respond to that framework.
The Contact Group appreciates the constructive
role of Kenya as chair of IGAD, as well as the Arab League and
the African Union, in promoting and supporting the peace and reconciliation
process in Somalia. The Contact Group agreed to convene its next
meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Agreed in Nairobi on 5 January 2007.
The International Somalia Contact Group includes
the European Union (Presidency and European Commission), Italy,
Kenya, Norway, Sweden, Tanzania, United Kingdom, and the United
States, with the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD), League of Arab States, and the United Nations.
2 May 2007
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