Mogadishu 13,Nov.07 ( Sh.M.Network)- The Council adopted the following conclusions: "1. The Council expressed its concern that the situation in Somalia currently poses a significant threat to peace and security in the Horn of Africa and beyond. It also causes immense suffering to the people of Somalia. The Council called for urgent efforts by all parties towards an inclusive political process. It stated its commitment to a comprehensive approach to the Somali crisis, covering the political, security and humanitarian facets.

2. The Council welcomed the appointment of a new Prime Minister, Mr Nur Hassan Hussein. His appointment opens a window of opportunity to make progress on the transition.

The Council encouraged the new Prime Minister to invite all political forces, inside and outside Somalia, that renounce violence and accept the Transitional Federal Charter as the framework for restoring peace and stability to Somalia, to an inclusive political process. The Transitional Federal Institutions (TFI) have the prime responsibility to implement the outcome of the National.

Reconciliation Congress, as endorsed by the Transitional Federal Parliament, and to establish a Road Map for actions until the end of the transitional period. This includes the preparation for a constitutional referendum and elections by 2009 as set out in the Transitional Federal Charter. The EU is willing to consider a significant contribution for the transitional period, on the basis of a mutual understanding between the EU and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) on progress to be made in the political process.

3. The Council condemned all acts of violence and called on all parties to cease hostilities and engage in ceasefire, confidence building and security arrangements in the search for sustainable peace.

4. The Council urged the TFI, Ethiopia and all other actors in Somalia to ensure humanitarian access, respect human rights and international humanitarian law, to protect the civilian population and to facilitate secure and early return of displaced persons to Mogadishu and other areas of origin.

5. The Council called on the Prime Minister to affirm the commitment of the TFG to respect and ensure respect of international humanitarian law and to the protection of civilian population at risk. Peace cannot be built on impunity.

The Council therefore called on the TFG to investigate all human rights abuses committed in Somalia and bring those responsible to justice. The Council encouraged the UN to use all available instruments to improve monitoring of the human rights situation in Somalia. The EU remains committed to enhance humanitarian assistance, provided there is unimpeded humanitarian access and respect of the integrity of humanitarian assistance.

6. The Council invited EU Member States with a large Somali diaspora to engage with it and encourage it to work in support of EU and international efforts to bring peace to Somalia.

7. The African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, is at present the only available option to facilitate the withdrawal of foreign and regional forces from Somalia. The Council expressed its support for AMISOM, particularly recognizing the contribution that Uganda has made. It reiterated the need to strengthen AMISOM, including through identifying substantial new financial support.

The EU is committed to make further contributions to the AU, on the basis of a comprehensive political and needs assessment, as well as to provide bilateral contributions to AU Member States deploying to AMISOM. The Council called on other donors to contribute as well. The Council encouraged the UN to provide more support to AMISOM in accordance with resolution 1772 of the UN Security Council and to move forward with contingency planning for a possible peacekeeping operation in Somalia.

8. The Council expressed its full support to the Special Representative for Somalia of the UN Secretary General, Mr Ould Abdallah and to his leadership role in coordinating efforts of the international community. It welcomed his readiness to draw up an International Action Plan and in particular to frame international support to the transitional process (constitution, census, multiparty system, elections) and establish a strategic framework for security sector support to Somalia. The Council expressed its readiness to support the elaboration and implementation of the International Action Plan.

9. The EU recognized the increasing danger posed by acts of piracy off the Somali coast and will study possible ways to respond to the problem, together with the Somali authorities and the international community. The Council welcomed the French initiative to provide military accompaniment to vessels chartered by the World Food Programme (WFP) delivering aid to Somalia. It stressed the need for international support to this initiative in order to continue to provide protection to the WFP beyond January 2008.

10. Successful EU delivery and responsiveness in the Somali peace process remains essential to support a comprehensive political solution, which would bring long-term stability to Somalia.

Source (European Union)

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