Press release
Friday, June 14, 2013
On Thursday 13 June the Security
Council received a briefing from Assistant Secretary-General Tayé-Brooke
Zerihoun on the situation in the Juba regions of Somalia.
Members of the Security Council
expressed their concern at the deterioration in the security situation
in the Juba regions, particularly in Kismayo, and at the resulting impact
on the civilian population and the humanitarian situation. The Members
of the Security Council called on all parties to refrain from any action
which may threaten peace and stability in the Juba regions and to engage
with the Federal Government of Somalia in a constructive manner to achieve
a peaceful resolution to the current crisis and to alleviate the dire humanitarian
situation.
The members of the Security Council
underlined their support for the development of an effective federal system
of government, in line with the Provisional Constitution and in respect
of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, in order to ensure
a constructive and sincere partnership between the Federal Government of
Somalia and local and regional administrations. In this context the members
of the Security Council look forward to a broad, inclusive, constitutional
review process.
The members of the Security Council
expressed their support for the IGAD Communiqué of 24 May and invited IGAD
and neighbouring countries to play a strong and positive role in helping
to decrease the tension and identify a way forward. The members of
the Security Council welcomed the commitment of the Federal Government
of Somalia to lead reconciliation efforts in the Juba regions with the
support of UNSOM, IGAD and other appropriate actors. The members of the
Council urged that this be taken forward expeditiously. The members of
the Security Council underlined the availability of the Special Representative
of the Secretary-General to assist the Government of Somalia in peacefully
resolving the situation.
The members of the Security Council
underlined the importance of the issues in the Juba regions not distracting
from the urgent need to end the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and bring, security
and prosperity to the Somali people, the overwhelming majority of whom
are committed to peace through dialogue. In that context, the members of
the Council underscored their support for AMISOM and reiterated their willingness
to take action against those who undermine the peace and reconciliation
process in Somalia.
The Security Council will
keep the situation under review.