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PRESS STATEMENT

The Chairperson of the Commission welcomes the decision of the Somali Prime Minister to resign as part of the implementation of the Accord

THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR RECEIVED AT THE AU COMMISSION

Addis Ababa, 20 June 2011: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Jean Ping, continues to closely follow the evolution of the situation in Somalia.

In this context, the Chairperson of the Commission, today, at the AU Headquarters, received Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, the Special Representative of the Secretary‐General of the United Nations for Somalia, together with his Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra. Ambassador Mahiga briefed the Chairperson on the process that led to the signing of the . Both Ambassador Mahiga and Ambassador Diarra provided an update on the steps being envisaged by the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) and the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), to facilitate and support the implementation of the Kampala Accord and to further peace and reconciliation in Somalia. The Accord, which was signed on 9 June 2011 by the President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, Mr. Sheikh , and the Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP), Mr. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, seeks to end the current transitional period, with a deferral of elections for one year.

The Chairperson of the Commission seized the opportunity of the meeting to stress that the signing of the Kampala Accord is a very positive development, emphasizing the need for all members of the international community to support it fully. He calls for the speedy drawing up of a roadmap, with clear benchmarks, timelines and compliance mechanisms, to be considered by the envisaged consultative meeting in Mogadishu soon, as essential for the implementation of the transitional tasks within the next twelve months. He further stresses that the implementation and monitoring mechanisms at the technical and political level, including the Political Bureau provided for in the Accord, are key elements that should enhance and ensure compliance and accountability by the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) to the people of Somalia, the region and the international community on the accomplishment of the transitional tasks in the next year.

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The Chairperson welcomes the decision by the TFG Prime Minister, Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohammed “Farmajo”, yesterday, 19 June 2011, to resign from his position, as part of the implementation of the Kampala Accord. He stresses that the decision by the Prime Minister constitute an important step towards the implementation of the Kampala Accord. He pays tribute to the outgoing Prime Minister for his contribution to the promotion of peace and reconciliation in Somalia during his tenure. He encourages President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed to expeditiously carry out the necessary consultations, which will lead to a quick endorsement of the nominee for Prime Minister and cabinet by the TFP. In the same vein, he calls upon the Speaker of the TFP to urge parliamentarians to support and speed up the establishment of a new Government.

The Chairperson of the Commission underlines that the expeditious implementation of the Kampala Accord will go a long way in consolidating the important military gains made on the ground by the TFG, with the support of AMISOM. He reiterates AU’s appreciation for the work being done by AMISOM leadership and forces, as well as the commitment of the Troop Contributing Countries, namely Burundi and Uganda.

The Chairperson of the Commission pays tribute to President of Uganda for the critical role he played in facilitating the signing of the Accord. He also commends Ambassador Mahiga for his contribution and continued commitment to the search for peace and reconciliation in Somalia. He further expresses his satisfaction for the close working relation between the AU and IGAD on the Somali situation, and acknowledges the contribution of the IGAD current Chair, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, as well as the other leaders of IGAD and EAC countries in promoting a peace, stability, democracy and reconciliation agenda for Somalia.

Earlier on, Mr. Mahiga and Mr. Diarra were received by Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, Commissioner for Peace and Security, with whom they exchanged views on the current situation in Somalia, in particular in light of the conclusion of the Kampala Accord, and the possible way forward.