EU Council Conclusions on Somalia

2796th EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting, Luxembourg

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The Council recalls its ongoing concern at the situation in Somalia and stresses the importance of implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1744 (2007) in order to address the political, security and humanitarian challenges faced in Somalia. The Council also welcomes the Communiqué of the International Contact Group on Somalia, dated 3 April 2007.

2. In particular, the Council expresses its grave concern at the escalation of the conflict, the renewed fighting in Somalia and the severe humanitarian suffering it has caused, and deeply deplores the loss of civilian life and particularly the indiscriminate shelling of heavily populated areas of Mogadishu. The EU emphasises the obligation on all parties to comply with international humanitarian law. It also urges them to work actively to guarantee complete, unhindered and safe access for humanitarian relief work. The Council strongly urges all parties to commit to a lasting cessation of hostilities to avoid further bloodshed. It stresses the need to reach an early agreement on comprehensive and permanent ceasefire arrangements, including mechanisms for disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration.

3. The Council reconfirms its support to the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) as the organs mandated by the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC) and the only legitimate authorities to restore peace, stability and governance to Somalia. The EU urges the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to show the leadership and reach out to all parts of Somali society, in launching an inclusive political process, based on the TFC. Particular attention should be given to the need for a broad-based administration of Mogadishu.

4. The Council urges the TFG to convene the National Reconciliation Congress (NRC) as soon as possible. It states its readiness to support the Congress, financially and otherwise, based on the need for it to help deliver lasting agreement on ceasefire arrangements and a sustainable political process. The EU urges all Somali parties to support the early convening of the Congress and to participate in it constructively. The Council expects the Congress to involve all key stakeholders, who should be able to freely choose their representatives to the Congress.

5. The Council reaffirms its support for the Africa Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and welcomes the deployment of the Ugandan contingent. The Council expresses its sympathy for the tragic deaths of the Ugandan soldier and Belarusian aircrew in AMISOM, and strongly condemns any hostility towards AMISOM. The EU considers the deployment of AMISOM as crucial in creating the conditions for the stabilisation of the country and the early withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia, and therefore calls on all Somali actors to work with AMISOM to help achieve these aims.

6. The Council recalls the EU's contribution of 15 million euros to the financing of AMISOM, and its provision of advisory and planning support to the AU, in addition to bilateral contributions from EU Member States. The Council calls on all international partners to provide further support to AMISOM and on the African troop contributing countries to pursue their deployment as soon as possible."

| Arriba |

• Somalia: EU Presidency Declaration condemning killings of two journalists (21/8/2007)
• Somalia: EU Commission allocates €10m for victims of continuing insecurity and climatic hazards  (27/7/2007)
• Somalia: EU Presidency Declaration on the launching of the National Reconciliation Congress (18/7/2007)
• Somalia: EU Commission provides €4m in emergency humanitarian aid  (8/6/2007)
• Somalia: EU Commission condemns attack against interim Prime Minister Ghedi (3/6/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Somalia (14/5/2007)
• Somalia: EUHR Solana and EU Commissioner Michel appeal to all parties to cease hostilities immediately (3/4/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Somalia (12/2/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Somalia (22/1/2007)