END OF TRANSITION PERIOD REPRESENTS ‘HISTORIC STARTING POINT’ FOR SOMALIA – BAN

END OF TRANSITION PERIOD REPRESENTS 'HISTORIC STARTING POINT' FOR SOMALIA – BAN
New York, Jun 1 2012 10:10AM
The end of the transition period in Somalia and the adoption of a new provisional constitution represent an "historic starting point" for the East African country, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling on the international community to provide support to the State in its next political phase.

"My message to this conference and the world is this: Commit to long-term assistance for Somalia," Mr. Ban said in his remarks at the second Istanbul Conference on Somalia, adding that financial resources as well as engagement with the country are essential to help it tackle some of its major challenges, including terrorism, piracy and drought.

Known as Istanbul II, the two-day conference brings together the private sector, donors, Somali authorities, the UN and civil society to focus on the country's recovery and development as well as support for Somalia's political transition.

After decades of warfare, the Horn of Africa country is undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with the country's Transitional Federal Institutions currently implementing a roadmap, devised in September last year, that spells out priority measures to be carried out before the current transitional governing arrangements end on 20 August.

Next month, the country will adopt a new provisional constitution and members of parliament will be selected by Somalia's elders, with assistance from a Technical Selection Committee, to ensure that the nominees meet the criteria set out in an earlier agreement.

"The end of the transition marks the beginning of a new phase in the political process," Mr. Ban said. "A new phase of inclusive dialogue where all Somali voices should be heard […]."

The Secretary-General praised the country's leaders for their commitment to ensuring that women hold 30 per cent of all seats in the new institutions, and stressed that the new constitution must reflect international human rights standards.

"In the transition toward a better future of Somalia it is crucially important to ensure that women's rightful place be established in their society," he said.

In addition, Mr. Ban emphasized that the Transitional Federal Government and its successor will have to earn the population's trust and quickly start delivering security and basic services to avoid a power vacuum that could be exploited by warlords in the country.

The UN chief reiterated the UN's support to help Somalia establish its own security and justice institutions that can consolidate progress in the long-term, and underscored the need to build the country's capacity to uphold the law and fight impunity.

"Success in building the security sector and rule of law now and in the future demands far greater engagement from both the Somalis and the international community," Mr. Ban said. "I urge donors to contribute to this critical effort. In the face of terrorism, piracy and drought, Somalia needs solidarity."
Jun 1 2012 10:10AM
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