Associated Press of Pakistan
Sunday, November 11, 2012
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 17 (APP): With the nine-year-old transitional period in Somalia having ended peacefully, Pakistan Tuesday pledged all possible support to the African nation which now was on the “cusp of a new chapter in its history. “The Presidential and Parliamentary elections and the Prime Minister’s nomination herald a new political dispensation, which reflects the aspirations of the Somali people,” Ambassador Masood Khan, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, told the Security Council’s meeting on Somalia.
Given the courage and resilience of Somalia’s people, the progress made by them was no surprise, the Pakistani envoy said, adding, “We assure the new government of Somalia of our fullest support.”
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali security forces had enabled pro-Government forces to gain control over all major Somali citie, Ambassador Masood Khan said.
Pakistan, a victim of piracy, supported the addition of the maritime component to AMISOM for prevention of the menace.
Further, he said that to end that scourge, it was necessary to address its root causes, particularly illegal fishing and dumping of toxic wastes in Somali waters. The international community must ensure political and financial support for the Mission, the Pakistani envoy added, in order to secure the gains made so far, and prevent a possible relapse of conflict.
AMISOM operations were a good example of successful cooperation between a regional organization and the United Nations, he said.
Commending Africa for its collective and consensual response to security challenges, he endorsed the African Union’s request to extend the support package to AMISOM.
Further, as the Secretary-General reviewed the future presence of the United Nations in Somalia, Khan said three considerations were paramount: the need for national ownership; an interface between the Secretary-General’s review process and the initiatives of the African Union; and the importance of safeguarding territorial integrity and federalism in Somalia.
Pakistan, he added, would continue to support Somalia bilaterally as well as in its capacity as a member of the Security Council and other international organizations.