COMMUNIQUÉ

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1143^rd    meeting held on 7 March 2023 on the topic: Updated Briefing on the Situation in Somalia and the Operations of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS):

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling all its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in Somalia and on ATMIS, in particular Communiqués [PSC/PR/COMM.1112 (2022)] adopted at its 1112^th meeting held on 10 October 2022; [PSC/PR/COMM.1094 (2022)] adopted at its 1094^th meeting held at ministerial level on 27 July 2022;  [PSC/PR/COMM.1075 (2022)] adopted at its 1075^th meeting held on 12 April 2022; [PSC/PR/COMM.1068 (2021)], adopted at its 1068^th meeting held on 8 March 2022; and Press Statements [PSC/PR/BR.1110 (2022)] adopted at its 1110^th meeting held on 5 October 2022 and [PSC/PR/BR.1081 (2022)], adopted at its 1081^st meeting held on 3 May 2022; as well as UN Security Council Resolution 2628(2022) which authorized the reconfiguration of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) into ATMIS;

Reaffirming the AU’s solidarity with the people and the Federal Government of Somalia in their aspirations for durable peace, security, stability, and prosperity, which will benefit the Horn of Africa region and the Continent as a whole; also reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the AU to respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and unity of Somalia;

Noting the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Innocent Shiyo, Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the AU and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) for March 2023, the introductory statement by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, as well as the briefing by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for Somalia and Head of ATMIS, H.E. Ambassador Souef Mohamed El-Amine; also noting the statements by the representatives of the Federal Government of Somalia, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU); and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Welcomes the progress registered in the implementation of the ATMIS priority tasks, as well as the coordinated joint and independent operations by the Somali Security Forces (SSF) and ATMIS to disrupt, degrade, and deny Al Shabaab and other terrorist groups the freedom of movement and action across ATMIS sectors, which led to the liberation of several towns and villages from Al Shabaab; and commends the SSF and ATMIS for this progress;

2. Commends the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) for its initiative to take full ownership and leadership of Somalia’s stabilisation process, as demonstrated in the launch of the National Stabilisation Strategy, which marks a renewed momentum by the Government to restore State authority and provide of basic public goods and services in liberated areas; welcomes the cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States marked by the holding of regular meetings in the framework of the National Consultative Council to discuss state-building priorities; reiterates the unwavering commitment of the AU to continue supporting the FGS in solidifying the country’s ability to assume full responsibility for the country’s security and facilitate efforts for the implementation of national priorities in the context of the Somali Transition Plan; and requests the international community to continue to support this Somali-owned and led process, which serves as a foundation for a successful transition and long-term peace and stability in the country;

3. Underlines that the operational successes against Al Shabaab are further evidence of increasing SSF capacity to lead security operations, which is a key element towards successful gradual handover of security responsibilities from ATMIS to SSF by 31 December 2024, and that the process of reforming and restructuring the Somali Police Force (SPF) remains critical to the long-term stabilisation of Somalia; and also underlines that these encouraging offensives must be accompanied by strategies and concrete actions to extend governance and State authority in newly liberated areas, as well as the urgent implementation of programmes to respond to emergency needs, such as refurbishment of water wells, clinics and shelters destroyed by Al-Shabaab when they are dislodged from previously held areas so as to maintain the momentum and campaign against Al-Shabaab, and to further build public trust, confidence and support, which are essential in ensuring long-term success in operations against Al Shabaab;

4. Appeals to the UN Security Council to positively consider the repeated request from the FGS for the lifting of the arms embargo imposed on the country, particularly in light of the progress made, thus far, in delivering on the benchmarks outlined in Security Council Resolution 2662 (2022), in order to ensure that the country is sufficiently equipped to effectively address the security threats posed by Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups active in Somalia, as it prepares to take over security responsibilities from ATMIS at the end of the transition by 31 December 2024;

5. Commends ATMIS for its contribution towards the successful implementation and realisation of the Somali Transition Plan (STP), as well as the Somali National Stabilisation Strategy, including through providing the requisite security and enabling access of partners to newly liberated areas following Somali-led and ATMIS-supported operations, as well as the enhancement of institutional capacity of the SSF; and calls upon all partners to ensure that all efforts in support of ATMIS and SSF are fully aligned with the STP and the National Stabilisation Strategy to ensure coordination, unity of purpose, coherence, and complementarity of efforts of all stakeholders;

6. Pays tribute to the AU Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) for their sacrifices and dedication to peace in Somalia;

7. Welcomes the progress made in the reconfiguration of ATMIS, including the readiness and planning of the AU and ATMIS to facilitate the drawdown of the 2,000 troops , which include the identification of the Forward Operating Basis (FOBs) for either handover or closure to also accelerate creation of mobile forces, and to enhance force generation and integration, and force protection, as well as the completion of the ATMIS equipment review process alongside the development of a new Statement of Unit Requirements (SURs) for the mission; requests ATMIS and FGS to complete all outstanding tasks to ensure the completion of Phase I of the transition plan whose timelines have been amended for the drawdown of 2,000 ATMIS troops to be completed by 30 June 2023, taking note of the need for the commencement of preparations for the drawdown of 3000 ATMIS troops during Phase 2 of the transition to be completed by 30 September 2023; commends the AU Commission for the joint assessment and advisory inspection of pledged capabilities, including additional air assets and field hospital, from Ethiopia and Kenya; and requests the FGS to continue taking more effective actions to address issues related to force generation, in order to ensure timely and orderly transition of security responsibilities from ATMIS to Somali security forces;

8. Expresses deep concern over the inadequate, unsustainable and unpredictable financing for ATMIS, including the significant funding shortfalls, which continues to persist, noting its impact on the overall implementation of ATMIS mandate, with the situation likely to deteriorate if additional funding is not received; and in this regard, reiterates its appeal to the UN Security Council outlined in paragraph 9 of the Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1075 (2022)] adopted on 12 May 2022 requesting the holding of a special session on predictable, adequate, sustainable and multi-year funding for ATMIS for its full duration, which has still not yet been facilitated;

9. Also reiterates its call to the Chairperson of the AU Commission and the UN Secretary General outlined in paragraph 10 of the Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1121 (2022)] of 11 November 2022 to consider organizing an international pledging conference in conjunction with IGAD, and development partners, with a view to mobilizing the additional resources for ATMIS operations and support to Somalia;

10. Takes note of the importance of the Roadshow for the mobilisation of resources to raise awareness regarding the dire funding challenge, in the absence of a UNSC Special Session on this issue, so that all stakeholders are aware of this critical issue and to consider supporting ATMIS.

11. Welcomes the regional efforts including the Heads of State Summit convened between Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia in Mogadishu on 1 February 2023 and supports the call for partnership and enhanced solidarity among Somalia’s neighbouring countries in confronting Al Shabaab;

12. Condemns the violence involving local communities and authorities in Las Anod, and calls for cessation of hostilities, dialogue and the pacific settlement of disputes;

13. Commits to continue supporting Somalia in its peace efforts including through the use of the AU Peace Fund, as decided by the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly held on 18 and 19 February 2023 to address the growing ATMIS funding deficit; and in this context, once again expresses sincere appreciation to the European Union, UN and other development partners, including the UK for their continued support to ATMIS;

14. Takes note of the change of leadership at ATMIS, including the assumption of duty, in November 2022, of the new Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of ATMIS, H.E. Amb. Mohamed El-Amine Souef; also takes note of the ongoing deployment of the military and police leadership of ATMIS; and expresses deep concern about the delayed appointment of a substantive ATMIS Force Commander and calls upon the Commission to fast track the conclusion, and deployment of the aforementioned Force Commander;
15. Expresses deep concern over reported incidents of civilian causalities, including abuses and violations of human rights being perpetrated by Al Shabaab; also expresses deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Somalia, resulting from a combination of factors such as attacks by Al Shabaab and other terrorist groups, as well as climatic shocks, including the unprecedented fifth year of droughts; and in this regard, commends all humanitarian actors currently providing humanitarian assistance to the affected population; also commends ATMIS for facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to populations in need; and appeals to the international community to continue providing humanitarian support to Somalia;

16. Requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission to transmit this Communique and the Report on the Situation in Somalia and the Operations of ATMIS to the United Nations Security Council; and

17. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS