Wednesday, September 01, 2010
In a press statement sent to ENA on Tuesday, AU said the council was also briefed by the representative of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia.
The council took note of the efforts made by the TFG, under President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, towards the promotion of dialogue and reconciliation among the people of Somalia, including reaching out to groups outside the Djibouti Peace Process.
The statement said the council encouraged the TFG and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jammaj (ASWJ) to implement the agreement that they reached in Addis Ababa on 15 March 2010.
The council also encouraged the TFG and the Somali region of Puntland to implement the agreement that they signed on 12 April 2010.
It said the council reiterated its support to the TFG of Somalia and commended the contribution by some Member States to this effect. In this respect, the council welcomed the efforts made by AMISOM, in collaboration with the TFG, UNDP, EU and other partners, in training and rebuilding the Somali Police Force (SPF).
The council appealed for increased support, including for the harmonious rebuilding of functioning national security forces and the strengthening of capacity, to enable the TFG to neutralize the armed elements carrying out attacks against it and deliver basic services to the population.
t said the council further encouraged AMISOM to continue to play a coordinating role in the overall capacity building efforts in Somalia and called on the international community to ensure the sustenance and retention of the Somali security forces.
The statement said the council reiterated its appreciation to the Troop Contributing Countries namely Burundi and Uganda, for their unflinching commitment as demonstrated in their continued and increased deployment of troops and other resources to AMISOM.
The council called on other AU member states to contribute troops to AMISOM in order to enable the mission to reach its authorized strength.
The council strongly condemned the attacks and other acts of violence perpetrated by Al Shabaab and other terrorist groups against the TFG, the Somali people and AMISOM.
It further condemned the despicable terrorist attacks claimed by Al Shabaab perpetrated against innocent civilians in Kampala on 11 July 2010, according to the statement.
Source: WaltaInfo