#News :A Summit meeting for AMISOM troops contributing states, Ethiopia and Somalia in Uganda A meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the Troop Contributing Countries to AMISOM, Ethiopia and Somalia took place in Kampala, on Sunday, August 4. The theme of the meeting was “Towards a harmonized Approach by the Stakeholders in Building a Peaceful Somalia”. The Summit, chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, was preceded by the meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Defence (August 3). Amsong those present were Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia, Chair of the African Union; President Kenyatta of Kenya and President Mohamud of Somalia, as well as representatives from Djibouti, Burundi, Sierra Leone and Ambassador Annadif, Special Representative of the AU Commission. The Summit reaffirmed its commitment, under the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Somalia and to Somalia’s stabilization efforts. It commended the achievements of AMISOM, Ethiopia and the Somalia National Security Forces in restoring security, and encouraged other African countries to contribute. It stressed that the fight against Al-Shabaab should continue to be the major focus of the Federal Government as well as regional and international partners. The meeting decided that control of Kismayo seaport and airport should be handed over to the Federal Government of Somalia, and that AMISOM and the Chiefs of Defence Forces of Ethiopia and Somalia, should work out modalities for an AMISOM multinational force to be deployed in Kismayo. The ban on export of charcoal should be continued The leaders agreed to support the Federal Government to establish its authority in the Jubba Regions. They welcomed the Addis Ababa discussions between the Federal Government and the Jubba Regions and called for these to be fast tracked and made inclusive. The Summit called for all militias to be integrated into the Somalia National Security Forces except those associated with Al-Shabaab. It said the Somali government should take the lead ion the process of producing local regional leaders which the government could then appoint. It requested the Somali Government to hasten the process of placing governance structures in recovered areas. It welcomed the commitment of the Government of Somalia to hold elections by 2016. It also agreed to support the convening of a reconciliation conference as agreed by the May IGAD Heads of State conference, and requested IGAD to continue to play its supportive role. The meeting also requested IGAD to meet on quarterly basis to track progress in developments; and the AU to undertake in-depth review of AMISOM with reference to its possible re-hatting which the Summit felt was premature. It requested the AU Commission expand its efforts to mobilize support for an enhanced AMISOM.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:56:24 +0000
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