Sommaire: 13 February 2008, Brussels - European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, today welcomed the significant progress being made by Somali Prime Minister Nur Adde at restoring peace and stability to his country after almost two decades of conflict.
Commissioner Michel welcomed Prime Minister Adde's efforts to move forward the peace and transitional process in Somalia and expressed his support and encouragement for the Prime Minister to lead his country towards full, inclusive, democratic and transparent elections in 2009.
Commissioner Michel stated; "I welcome and fully support the efforts of Prime Minister Nur Adde. His government has introduced a new and significant positive dynamic in the Somali political process. He has shown his commitment to an inclusive dialogue with the opposition, civil society, the diaspora and all stakeholders inside and outside Somalia. He is determined to make inter-Somali reconciliation a reality on the ground." He added, "I am very pleased that the Prime Minister has given me his
personal commitment to develop a road map for the Transitional period to include a constitution, census and elections. This action has my full support."
The EU Country strategy for Somalia, with a proposed allocation from the 10th European Development Fund of more than EUR 254 million for the 2008-13 period, will underpin and support the implementation of the road map.
During an hour-long meeting, Commissioner Michel pointed out the need for the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to reach its full potential of 8,000 troops and for the international community to support the development and reform of the Somali security forces. This is a crucial step in order to allow for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Somalia. The EC has provided EUR 15 million contribution from the Africa Peace Facility and EUR 5 million from the Instrument for
Stability in support to AMISOM.
The Somali political and security crisis has caused a major humanitarian disaster with almost 2 million people, including roughly 1 million 'Internally Displaced Persons' (IDPs), estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance. Commissioner Michel called on the Somali Prime Minister and the Somali authorities to ensure full respect of human rights and international humanitarian law and to facilitate the voluntary return of displaced populations in the country. He also underlined that the
deliberate targeting of aid workers was against all international conventions and only brought further suffering to the Somali people.
The European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) provided € 18 million in humanitarian assistance in 2007. It aims to provide at least the same level of assistance in 2008.
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