UN Security Council Debate on the situation in Somalia

Veleposlanik Ranko Vilovic, privremeni otpravnik poslova Stalne misije RH pri Ujedinjenim narodima, održao je govor na javnoj raspravi Vijeca sigurnosti UN-a o stanju u Somaliji.

Croatia joins others in thanking USG for Political Affairs Mr. Pascoe and USG for Field Support Ms. Malcorra for providing us with an update on the political and security situation in Somalia as well as on the steps taken to strengthen its security institutions and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). We are also thankful for the remarks by the Permanent Representative of Somalia and the Permanent Observer of the African Union. Croatia is encouraged by the progress that has been made on the political track, in particular the Transitional Government's actions toward a more inclusive political process and genuine national reconciliation. We commend such determination and firmly believe it warrants the unrelenting and concrete support of the international community. We reiterate our full support for the Transitional Federal Government and President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Their hard-won political gains must be preserved and further built upon. That being said, we add our voice to the calls for all Somali stakeholders to opt for dialogue and to join the Djibouti peace process, which continues to be the best option for lasting peace in Somalia. We strongly condemn all attempts to halt the current political momentum, destabilize the Transitional Federal Institutions and undermine the Djibouti peace process. The armed insurgency by hardliners, thus, continues to be of utmost concern. We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and deplore the toll the insurgent attacks have had on both the civilian population and the already dire humanitarian situation in the country. In that light, we urge all parties involved in the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law and to respect human rights. Croatia is also alarmed and extremely concerned about reports of foreign or outside interference with regard to insurgent attacks and other violence taking place in Somalia, in particularly reports concerning support to insurgents being provided by neighboring countries, namely Eritrea, and the destabilizing potential such actions bear on the whole region. We would like to recall the obligations that all UN Member States have with regard to respecting the resolutions and decisions adopted by the Security Council, and would also like to reiterate the tools which this Council already has at its disposal in order to deal with all inside and outside spoilers to the peace process. In that light, we particularly look forward to the forthcoming Report of the Monitoring Group. Croatia greatly appreciates the unerring efforts of AMISOM whose troops are operating in an extremely difficult environment. While echoing the calls to strengthen its capacities, we commend the troop-contributing countries, Uganda and Burundi, and offer the hope that others will follow suit in fulfilling their pledges. We welcome the pledges made at the International Conference in support of Somalia's Security Institutions and AMISOM, held in Bruxelles on 23 April. We hope that their materialization will continue on a fast pace. We also appreciate all other efforts and initiatives aimed at improving the capacity of Somalia's Security Sector, especially as an accountable and capable security and police force represents the backbone of achieving stability of the country. It also enables the UN to further its involvement and to assist Somalia to the best of its abilities. That being said, we are pleased to hear about the progress made in the implementation of the support package. We are also pleased to hear about the possibility of establishing a light UN presence in Mogadishu in the near future, conditions permitting, as stated by USG Ms. Malcorra during her briefing. On the fight against piracy, Croatia supports the work that has thus far been done to tackle the issue of piracy off the coast of Somalia and we are aware of the need to continue those efforts to ensure the safety of maritime routes. Finally, my delegation would especially like to express its full appreciation to the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Ould-Abdallah, for his relentless efforts and valuable contribution in promoting dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia. Thank you, Mr. President.

Priopćenja