PRESS STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN SOMALIA

PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
104 th MEETING
20 December 2007
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Peace and Security Council, at its 104 th meeting held on 20 December 2007, was briefed on the evolution of the situation in Somalia by the Commission, as well as by representatives of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, Kenya, as Chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations.

Council stressed that the situation in Somalia represents one of the most serious peace and security challenges facing the continent. Council noted that both Somalis and the international community as a whole have not been able to seize the window of opportunity that arose in December last year when the TFG regained control of Mogadishu and other parts of the country, to decisively address the conflict in Somalia.

Council agreedon the need for all stakeholders, both within Somalia and at the level of the international community, to explore new avenues in order to effectively address the current situation and to muster the required political will and resources to bring to a definite end the more than decade long conflict that has afflicted Somalia and its people, with far reaching implications for affected peace and security in the region as a whole.

Accordingly, Council decided to meet by mid-January 2008, before the expiry of the mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), to review the situation and agree on the best way forward in preparation for the January Summit.

In the meantime, Council welcomedthe appointment of a new Prime Minister in Somalia, in the person of Mr. Nur Hassan Hussein, and looks forward to the early formation of an all-inclusive Government, which would take all the necessary steps for the consolidation and sustenance of peace, security, stability and reconciliation in Somalia. Council further welcomed the appointment by the Chairperson of the Commission of a new Special Representative, Mr. Nicolas Bwakira, and expressed its full support to his efforts.

Source: Somaliland Times