Council:
1.
Takes note of the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the
situation in Somalia [PSC/PR/2(CLXXVII)], as well as the statements made by a
Ministerial delegation of the Republic of Burundi, by the representatives of the
Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, the Inter-Governmental
Authority on Development (IGAD), the League of Arab States and the United
Nations;
2.
Recalls all its previous decisions on the situation in Somalia ;
3.
Welcomes, once again, the recent progress made in furtherance of the
Djibouti Agreement of 19 August 2008, notably the expansion of the Transitional
Federal Parliament (TFP), the election of the new President, as well as the
designation of a new Prime Minister and the establishment of a Government of
National Unity. Council
further welcomes the relocation of the Somali officials and
institutions to Mogadishu;
4.
Expresses serious concern over the precarious security situation in
Mogadishu, in particular, and in Somalia, in general. Council
strongly condemns all
acts of violence perpetrated against civilians and humanitarian workers, in violation
of International Humanitarian Law, as well as the deliberate and planned attacks on
AMISOM personnel and positions;
5.
Reiterates its strong condemnation of the terrorist attack on the Burundian
contingent on 22 February 2009, resulting in the killing of twelve (12) soldiers and
the injuring of fifteen (15) others, by elements bent on undermining the ongoing
efforts to promote peace and stability in Somalia;
6.
Expresses, once more, its gratitude to the Governments of Burundi and
Uganda for their unwavering commitment to the cause of peace and reconciliation in
Somalia. Council
lauds the dedication and commitment of the AMISOM personnel,
in spite of recent tragic losses and the difficult security conditions under which they
operate;
7.
Expresses satisfaction at the readiness of the Governments of Uganda and
Burundi to contribute an additional battalion each to further strengthen AMISOM, and
urges
the other AU Member States, in particular those that have been approached
by the Commission, to respond positively to the requests forwarded to them to
contribute troops and other personnel to enable AMISOM reach its authorized
strength;
PSC/PR/COMM.(CLXXVII)
Page 2
8. Calls on
AU Member States and international partners to contribute
generously towards capacity building for the Somali security forces;
9.
Reiterates its call on AU Member States and international partners to provide
the required logistical and financial support for the full deployment of AMISOM and
the sustenance of its operations. Council
expresses appreciation for the support,
both financial and logistical, provided by some AU Member States, bilateral and
multilateral partners, which have made current AMISOM operations possible;
10.
Welcomes the adoption by the UN Security Council, on 16 January 2009, of
resolution 1863(2009) in which it expressed its intent to establish a UN
peacekeeping operation in Somalia as a follow-on force to AMISOM
, and calls on
the Security Council to adopt the requisite decision by 1
st June 2009. Council further
welcomes
the proposals made by the UN Secretary-General on 19 December 2008,
for a logistical package to support AMISOM, including equipment and services, and
requested the Secretary-General to establish a Trust Fund to provide financial
support to AMISOM until a UN peacekeeping operation is deployed and to assist in
the re-establishment, training, and retention of all inclusive Somali security forces;
11.
Notes that the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international
peace and security remains that of the United Nations Security Council. In this
context, Council
reiterates its call on the United Nations Security Council and the
General Assembly to authorize,
as soon as possible, the expected support
package for AMISOM as contained in the UN Security Council resolution 1863
(2009);
12.
Recalls its decision endorsing the targeted sanctions imposed by the 30th
Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of IGAD held in Addis Ababa on 18
November 2008, against all those hindering the on-going efforts towards
reconciliation, peace and stability in Somalia. In this respect, Council
requests the
Commission, working closely with all relevant stakeholders, including the United
Nations , to establish a list of individuals and entities on whom the sanctions are to
be imposed and on the modalities for the implementation of these sanctions;
13.
Reiterates its request to the Security Council to grant to the TFG an
exemption to the arms embargo imposed on Somalia by resolution 733 (1992) of 23
January 1992, to enable the TFG to equip the Somali security forces in order to
address the security needs of the country;
14.
Decides to extend the mandate of AMISOM for three (3) additional months,
starting from 17 March 2009;
15.
Decides to remain seized of the matter.