Addis Ababa – The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AUPSC) requested the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to impose sanctions on all those foreign actors, both within and outside the region, especially Eritrea, which are providing support to the armed groups engaged in destabilizing activities in Somalia.
In a communiqué AUPSC issued at the conclusion of its 190th meeting held in Addis Ababa on Friday, the AUPSC expressed its strong support to the communiqué adopted by the 33rd Extra-Ordinary Session of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers.
The Council condemned in the strongest terms possible all the individuals, organizations and countries in particular the government of Eritrea and its financiers who continue to instigate, recruit, train, fund and supply the criminal elements in and or to Somalia.
The Council requested the UNSC to take immediate measures, including the imposition of a no fly zone and blockade of sea ports, to prevent the entry of foreign elements into Somalia, as well as flights and shipments carrying weapons and ammunitions to armed groups inside Somalia.
It demanded that the armed groups currently involved in attacks against the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG), the civilian population and AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), immediately put an end to their actions, which are tantamount to an attempt at unconstitutional change of Government, in violation of the relevant AU instruments.
The Council strongly condemned the aggression perpetrated against the TFG of Somalia and the civilian population in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia by armed groups including foreign elements, bent on undermining the peace and reconciliation process.
The Council reiterated its call to all the Somali parties who have not yet done so, to join the peace process without any further delay.
It appealed to all the AU Member States to urgently provide all the required support, including military, to the TFG to enable it neutralize the armed elements carrying out attacks against it.
The Council stressed the need for all concerned, both within the region and outside, to refrain from any action likely to undermine the ongoing efforts and threaten the security of AMISOM personnel, including through provision of equipment, funds and other forms of support to the armed groups opposed to the TFG.
It expressed deep concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia, and called on AU Member States and the international community al large to urgently provide needed support to address the situation.
The Council reiterated its appreciation to the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) and AMISOM, as well as to all countries and institutions providing support to the Mission.
The Council also reaffirmed the determination of the AU to do everything in its power to sustain the ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts, support the TFG and to remain engaged in Somalia.
It is to be recalled that the 33rd Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers convened here on 20th May 2009 called upon the UNSC to impose sanctions on the government of Eritrea without any further delay, since the country is responsible for the chaos in Somalia.
- ENA
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