London Somalia Conference 2017: FIRST DRAFT COMMUNIQUE (co-chairs version 26 April)
FIRST DRAFT COMMUNIQUE (co-chairs version 26 April)
1. The London Conference on Somalia took place at Lancaster House on 11 May 2017, co-hosted by the UK, the Federal Republic of Somalia and the United Nations, and attended by representatives of Galmadug, Hirshabelle, Jubaland, Puntland, and South West states of Somalia as well as [XX] friends and partners of Somalia.
2. The Conference came at critical moment for Somalia, after an electoral process and peaceful transition of power. A new Federal Parliament with increased female representation and a new Federal Government are now in place. There is therefore an opportunity to set out an ambitious agenda for Somali-led reforms supported by the international community over the next four years and in the longer term.
3. Somalia has made significant strides in the last few years. Security has improved, state formation has progressed significantly and Somalia has made substantial progress towards reengagement with the International Financial Institutions. Somalia has drafted its first National Development Plan in 30 years, articulating its priorities for the coming period, and Somali leaders have recently reached a historic agreement on a National Security Architecture.
4. However many challenges remain. Al Shabaab is still a threat to peace and security; work to address constitutional issues needs to be expanded and accelerated and a stable federal settlement reached; security sector reform has not progressed as quickly as envisaged; the threat of piracy remains real; further progress on democratisation is needed; corruption must be tackled; poverty reduced and economic recovery advanced. The current humanitarian situation requires continued and coordinated efforts to address immediate needs, and to build resilience going forward.
5. The Federal Government of Somalia set out its plans to address these challenges, and the international community its commitments to support these, under four main headings: Strengthening National Security; International Security Guarantee; More Inclusive, Stable Politics; and Economic Recovery. We agreed a Security Pact and a strong New Partnership Agreement for Somalia, founded on mutual accountability and with commitments to follow up on progress and results achieved including at a High Level Partnership Forum (HLPF) in six months time [date to be confirmed], and on a regular basis thereafter.
6. Throughout the Conference, we recognised the close inter-linkage between security, politics and development; the need for strong political will from both the Federal Government of Somalia and the leaders of the federal member states to implement reforms together with continued support from the international community; and the importance of demonstrating tangible results for all the people of Somalia.
Humanitarian
7. We are deeply concerned by the serious [and deteriorating] humanitarian situation in Somalia caused by the ongoing drought and exacerbated by years of conflict and insecurity, and saddened by the loss of life and livelihoods. Following the Federal Government of Somalia’s formal declaration of drought as a national disaster and the joint appeals with the UN, the international community has committed over [$500m] to the drought response and this has enabled life-saving humanitarian aid to reach millions of Somalis.
8. Together, we remain fully mobilised to avert a widespread famine in Somalia, and to continuing to ensure an effective and coordinated response throughout the duration of the crisis. In this regard we welcome the revised Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia presented by the UN. We all commit to working with humanitarian partners to facilitate unhindered access to those in need, and to ensure the protection of civilians and a safer operating environment; and welcome the commitment made by Federal Government of Somalia and federal member state leaders on 17 April 2017 to unblock all roads to facilitate access.
9. We also commit to working together to support Somalia’s longer-term recovery from this drought, to prevent similar crises in future including through addressing root causes of vulnerability and food insecurity, and strengthening the links between early warning and early action. In this regard we are committed to supporting Somalia to strengthen its resilience and to strengthen coordination of the drought response under the leadership of the government. The issue of durable solutions to displacement requires particular attention.
Strengthening national security
10. Recognising that effective security underpins political and economic progress, and is fundamental to preventing recurring humanitarian crises, we note that progress in improving Somalia’s security needs to be accelerated. To defeat Al Shabaab, Somalia’s security forces need to be better coordinated, regularly paid and with clear status and responsibilities. We therefore welcome the commitment made by Somalia’s Federal Government of Somalia and federal member state leaders to address these issues, including through urgent reform of the Somali security sector and a renewed Somali campaign to defeat Al Shabaab.
11. We welcome in particular the historic political agreement Somalia’s leaders reached on 17 April 2017 to integrate regional and federal forces into a coherent National Security Architecture capable of gradually taking on lead responsibility for providing security, and the swift establishment of the National Security Council and National Security Office. We commit to standing behind this agreement as set out in the Security Pact, recognising the inclusive federal institutional framework established for a reformed security sector, the roles and responsibilities set out for Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States, and the timelines it sets
12. Today we have agreed to put this political agreement at the heart of an ambitious Security Pact between Somalia and the international community. The purpose of the Pact is to ensure a conditions-based transition of security responsibilities from AMISOM to Somali-led security institutions and forces that are affordable, accountable and acceptable to the people of Somalia in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights standards, and able to provide the security and protection that the people of Somalia deserve and need.
13. Through the Security Pact, Somalia’s leaders commit to taking a lead on providing security in Somalia and for the 2021 elections, and to implementing reforms in line with the National Security Architecture and agreed milestones. The international community, recognising that Somalia’s security reform is at a critical juncture, commits to providing increased and more effective support, including more standardised and better coordinated mentoring and training of police and military forces. [to be updated based on ongoing discussions] Overall, partners committed to [£x million] of additional support for security reform over the next [x years], to be delivered in line with agreed security sector reform milestones, including the introduction of improved public financial management and payroll systems, and the principle of mutual accountability with the context of civilian oversight of the security institutions.
14. Recognising that Somalia is able to import weapons and ammunition under the terms of the partially lifted UN arms embargo, partners also committed to continuing to support Somalia’s ongoing efforts to build stronger weapons management and control capacities – an important step towards creating the conditions for any further lifting of the arms embargo.
15. To ensure that international support is mobilised to address priority needs across the full range of security forces and institutions that will need to be integrated or strengthened, both sides commit to working in a fully coordinated way through the implementation mechanism set out in the Pact. This mechanism recognises that achieving enduring peace and stability in Somalia will require a new Comprehensive Approach to Security (CAS) through coordinated action across traditional boundaries – to strengthen Somali security forces, to achieve an effective transitional role for AMISOM, to extend and improve early recovery and stabilisation efforts, and to prevent and counter violent extremism. We commit to using this CAS framework as the basis for overseeing and organising delivery of the Pact and holding all parties to account on their commitments.
16. Recognising the need for non-military approaches as part of this coordinated comprehensive approach, we endorsed Somalia’s National Strategy and Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, launched on 12 September 2016. We welcomed the Somali President’s renewed offer of amnesty [tbc] to those who renounce violence and want to leave Al Shabaab. We agreed to support counter-terrorism, reconciliation and economic recovery efforts to develop better alternatives to lives of violence. We also agreed that an extensive Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) programme will be needed to support the implementation of Somalia’s national security architecture.
17. We also welcomed the Federal Government and the Federal Member States commitment to revise Somalia’s stabilisation strategy and accompanying policy and coordination architecture by December 2017. Recognising that achieving peace and stability is a multifaceted process, we agree that security sector development should align with progressing inclusive state authority at a local level together with local peace-building efforts. We welcome the commitment of the Federal Government and the Federal Member States to collaborate on the Wadajir National Framework for Local Governance to support community recovery and grassroots reconciliation processes. . The International Community agrees to continue to support Somali efforts to build community resilience. All partners agreed to support improved coordination through balanced and sustainable support to ensure the enhanced impact of collective stabilisation efforts.
18. We recognise that piracy remains a threat off the coast of Somalia and reconfirm our commitment to combating it and ensuring Somalia has an effective and legal seagoing law enforcement presence. The Federal Government and the federal member states of Somalia reiterated their commitment to developing maritime security with a capable Coast Guard under the Ministry of Internal Security and appropriate anti-piracy legislation, with the Maritime Security Coordinating Committee as the central mechanism for developing capability and identifying and channelling support. Recognising that the problem of illegal fishing is serious but cannot be properly tackled without an agreed Somali licensing regime, we commend the recent political agreement setting out how fisheries resources would be shared and regulated between the regions and the centre – [tbc].
19. We also express concern about the use and recruitment of children in armed conflict and sexual violence. International partners stand ready to assist Somali authorities to uphold Somalia’s human rights obligations, and to improve accountability and protection systems.
International Security Guarantee
20. We commend AMISOM’s vital work in enabling security and stability to allow Somalia to establish political institutions and extend state authority, both key to laying the foundations for a staged transfer of security responsibility to Somali institutions and forces. We recognise that AMISOM’s effort comes at great sacrifice to the troop contributing countries (TCCs) themselves, and commended the bravery and commitment of their troops, as well as Somali forces, in fighting Al Shabaab. We recognise the ongoing commitment of TCCs to support AMISOM, and acknowledge the need for sustainable and predictable funding for AMISOM and the provision of necessary force enablers and multipliers to meet its obligations
21. We expressed support for a conditions based transition from AMISOM to Somali security forces; the UN-AU review of AMISOM [beginning in x] will set out recommendations to all partners of AMISOM’s role based on Somalia’s needs ahead of AMISOM’s mandate renewal in [July 2017].
More Inclusive Stable Politic
22. Reaching a settlement on outstanding constitutional issues, including completing the constitutional review process, and developing more inclusive politics is crucial for Somalia’s stability and prosperity. The constitutional review process must promote the building of peace in the country and contribute to addressing conflicts and mistrust. We welcomed the commitment of the Federal Government of Somalia and the federal member states to work closely together and with the Parliament to take this forward, building on the existing work on constitutional review and to establish a high level inter-governmental body to provide the necessary senior political guidance. [Specifics to be confirmed based on ongoing discussions]
23. We agreed with the key constitutional priorities identified by the Federal Government of Somalia including: power sharing; resource sharing; the type of political system; and federal justice model. [To be expanded/developed based on ongoing discussions]
24. We welcomed the commitments of the Federal Government of Somalia to democratisation, including developing a roadmap to one person one vote elections in 2021. We look forward to receiving an update on this work at the High Level Partnership Forum in October 2017 [date tbc]. [Details of work plan and next steps, including electoral law, to be added based on ongoing discussions]
25. We welcome the commitment of the Federal Government of Somalia and the federal member states to take forward inclusive political dialogue to support the peaceful resolution of disputes that threaten internal peace and security
26. We note the importance of continued dialogue between Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland and welcome the Federal Government of Somalia’s commitment to this. We hope that the Somaliland presidential elections now due in November 2017 will provide the opportunity to reinvigorate and accelerate this.
27. We welcomed the outcomes of the side event on the contribution of diaspora and civil society to Somalia, and recognise their collective role in supporting stability and prosperity in Somalia [to be developed based on the side event]. We recognised the importance of female representation and participation in decision making, and welcomed the increase in the number of female members of Parliament achieved through the recent electoral process. We also stressed the vital contribution that Somali youth have made and continue to make to Somalia and agreed to further promote youth empowerment.
Accelerating Somalia’s Economic Recovery
28. A stronger economy that offers Somalis livelihoods and jobs, and generates domestic revenue will be essential in reducing vulnerability, consolidating stability and promoting resilient and sustainable development. We agreed that accelerating Somalia’s economic recovery must be a shared priority for the coming period. We welcomed the identification of infrastructure, including energy, the productive sectors (agriculture, fisheries and livestock), access to skills and finance, and measures to improve the enabling environment [these areas subject to confirmation] as the top economic development priorities from the National Development Plan. We note the importance of remittances to Somalia’s economy and are committed to strengthening and facilitating Somalia’s remittances sector. Making progress on these areas will require collective efforts from government, the private sector and international partners alike. We commend the Economic Recovery Cooperation Agreement [title subject to confirmation] between Somalia’s public and private sectors and welcome the commitment of both sides to work together closely to accelerate the delivery of much needed economic development for the Somali people over the next four years.
29. While the productive sectors will be the basis for economic regeneration, substantial investments will be required to support economic recovery, particularly to rebuild the country’s physical infrastructure. Increased domestic revenue mobilisation will play a crucial role in this. For many countries access to concessional lending from the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and other development partners is also an important source of investment financing. We commend the roadmap to IFI normalisation and debt relief recently agreed between the Federal Government of Somalia and IFIs which sets out the priority economic reform measures needed in the short term, as well as the longer term milestones that will be required for the debt relief process
30. We welcomed Federal Government of Somalia commitments to tackle corruption – essential not just for economic recovery but for state legitimacy and stability.
New Partnership Agreement
31. We recognise that progress in these areas is interdependent and mutually reinforcing, so today we endorse a New Partnership Agreement for Somalia as the framework through which we will build on the gains made under the New Deal Compact over the last three years and deliver clear and measurable progress on security, the constitutional settlement, inclusive politics, human rights and the rule of law, good governance, including measures to tackle corruption, and economic recovery. Through the New Partnership Agreement for Somalia, the Federal Government of Somalia and the international community reaffirm our commitment to work closely together in a transparent, mutually accountable and coordinated manner that strengthens national systems and is in line with and in support of Somalia’s National Development Plan, to bring enduring peace, security and prosperity. We recognise the importance of accountability including to the Somali people. We commit to develop a performance and milestones-based Mutual Accountability Framework within six months from today to measure the progress we will make and to report to the High Level Partnership Forum on a six monthly basis.
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