AFRICAN UNION
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PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 399™ MEETING
10 OCTOBER 2013
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
PSC/PR/COMM.(CCCXCIX)
COMMUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUE
The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 399th meeting held on 10 October 2013, adopted the following decision on the Joint AU-United Nations Review of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the benchmarking exercise:
Council,
Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the Joint AU-United Nations Review of AMISOM and the benchmarking exercise [PSC/PR/2(CCCXCIX)] and of the briefing made by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, as well as of the statements made by the representatives of the Government of Somalia, permanent members of the UN Security Council and AU Member States seating in that organ (France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States and Rwanda), the UN Secretariat, the European Union (EU) and Italy, as co-Chair of the IGAD Partners Forum;
Welcomes, once again, the significant progress made in Somalia, both on the political and security fronts. Council, at the same time, expresses deep concern at the serious threat that Al Shabaab continues to pose in Somalia and in the region. In this respect, Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist and cowardly attacks perpetrated by Al Shabaab, notably in Mogadishu against UN common compound and a restaurant, and in Nairobi against a shopping mall. Council expresses its solidarity with the Governments and peoples of Somalia and Kenya, and reiterates AU's commitment to continue working with Member States and partners in the prevention and combating of terrorism;
Recalls resolution 2093(2013) adopted by the UN Security Council on 6 March 2013, requesting, notably, the UN Secretary-General to keep the situation in Somalia under review, including the setting of benchmarks for the establishment of a UN peacekeeping operation, as well as Security Council's presidential statement of 6 June 2013 (S/PRST/2013/7), welcoming the intention of the UN Secretariat to conduct a joint review of AMISOM with the AU, and emphasizing the importance of both organizations working closely together in this exercise;
Further recalls its communique PSC/PR/COMM(CCCLVI), adopted at its 356th meeting held 27 February 2013, endorsing the recommendation made to enhance AMISOM, revising the mandate of AMISOM to take into account the evolution of the situation on the ground and the need to consolidate the gains made, and calling upon the UN Security Council to authorize the enhancement of the support package to AMISOM. Council further recalls its communique PSC/PR/COMM(CCCLXXIX), adopted at its 379th meeting held on 13 June 2013, in which it stated that it was looking forward to the outcome of the benchmarking exercise;
Also recalls the communique adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to AMISOM, Ethiopia and Somalia, held in Kampala, Uganda, on 4 August 2013, which notably requested the Commission, in consultation with the concerned stakeholders, to revise the Strategic Concept for the future operations of AMISOM, as endorsed by its 306th meeting held on 5 January 2012 [PSC/PR/COMM.(CCCVI)], in order to align it with the prevailing circumstances in the Mission Area;
Welcomes the close collaboration between the AU, the UN and the TCCs during the Joint AU-UN Review and benchmarking exercise. Council notes the findings of the Review, in particular with respect to the threat posed by Al Shabaab, the current AMISOM operations and the state of the Somali National Security Forces (SNSF). Council further notes the conclusion reached by the Joint Review that the conditions for re-hatting AMISOM into a UN peacekeeping operation do not exist at present and that the deployment of such an operation at this time would be a high risk option;
Stresses the need for renewed efforts to degrade the capabilities of Al Shabaab, in view of the continued threat it poses both within Somalia and in the region, and the need to improve significantly the security situation to create conditions for the successful conclusion of the political process, notably with respect to the constitutional referendum and the elections planned for 2016;
Expresses its deep appreciation to the Troop and Police Contributing Countries for their commitment and sacrifices towards the promotion of peace, security and reconciliation in Somalia;
Expresses its gratitude to the UN, the EU and the international community as a whole for their support to date to AMISOM. Council, while acknowledging the challenges encountered in mobilizing adequate support for AMISOM, stresses once again the importance that AMISOM continue its vital work;
Endorses the recommendations made by the Joint Review in order to enable the resumption of the military campaign against Al Shabaab, through:
an increase of AMISOM strength by 6,235 troops and police personnel, out of which 3 battalions will be deployed for a limited period of 18 to 24 months as a force asset under the control of the AMISOM Force Commander, bringing the AMISOM total strength to 23,966 uniformed personnel,
the provision of the required force multipliers and enablers to AMISOM, and
the provision of non-lethal support to the SNSF, to enable them both to hold the areas currently cleared of Al Shabaab presence, as well as to expand into and recover new areas;
Stresses the need for the Commission to adjust the concept of operations for AMISOM in order to take into account the recommendations of the Joint Review and determine its implementation modalities. In this respect, Council looks forward to the contribution that could be made by the Military Operations Coordination Committee (MOCC), and encourages it to meet in due course;
Looks forward to the UN Security Council's positive consideration of the report of the Joint Review and the benchmarking exercise, including the endorsement of the proposed force increase and the provision of logistical support to AMISOM and the SNSF. Council calls on the Security Council to authorize the revision and adjustment of the UN logistical support package, as renewed under paragraph 4 of resolution 2093 (2013), to make it possible to extend the support referred to in paragraph 10 above through UN assessed contributions;
Further calls on the EU, through the Africa Peace Facility (APF), to continue to provide the required support to facilitate the envisaged increase in AMISOM strength. Council also calls on other AU partners to provide the necessary financial support to assist in meeting the needs of the Mission, particularly in view of the projected increase in its strength and, in this regard, welcomes the sensitization visits that the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for Somalia intends to undertake to some of Africa's partners to seek their support. Council, recalling the Declaration on the Report of the Peace and Security Council on its Activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa adopted by the 21st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held in Addis Ababa, on 26 and T1 May 2013, which encouraged Member States to make exceptional voluntary contributions to the Peace Fund on the occasion of the OAU Golden Jubilee, urges all Member States to contribute financially to the sustenance of AMISOM. Council also appeals to the AU Member States to contribute troops and police personnel to enhance the operational capacity of AMISOM;
Stresses the need for continued efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the other Somali stakeholders to further the reconciliation process and encourages them to intensify these efforts, building on the inclusive Constitutional Review Process launched by the FGS, on 16 June 2013, the establishment, on 3 July 2013, of the Constitutional Review Commission and the Agreement reached, on 28 August 2013, by the FGS and the Jubba Interim Administration under the mediation of the IGAD Chair, Ethiopia;
Welcomes the successful holding of the Brussels High-Level Conference co-hosted by the EU and the FGS, on 16 September 2013, and the endorsement on that occasion of the New Deal Compact for Somalia;
Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to take all necessary steps to effectively follow up on the relevant provisions of this communique, including transmitting it to the UN Secretary-General and, through him, to the Security Council, as well as to the other AU partners;
Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.