13 Dec 2011

UN / SOMALIA

Addressing the Security Council today on his recent trip to Somalia, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked the leadership there to intensify efforts to implement the Roadmap, adding he “made clear that the transition must end in August 2012.” UNTV / RECENT

Posted at: December 13, 2011 5:11 pm

Duration: 02:23

Available in: SD

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STORY: UN / SOMALIA 
TRT: 2:23 
SOURCE: UNTV / UNPOS RECENT
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANUGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 13 DECEMBER 2011, NEW YORK CITY / RECENT

SHOTLIST:

RECENT

1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations headquarters

13 DECEMBER 2011, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. Med shot, delegates
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, Secertary-General, United Nations:
"During my visit I announced that the UN Political Office for Somalia will relocate to Mogadishu in January, next year.  That will begin with my Special Representative, Mr. Mahiga and his core team and expand gradually as more resources become available." 
5. Cutaway, delegates
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, Secertary-General, United Nations:
"Despite some progress, important deadlines have been missed. I asked the leadership to intensify efforts to implement the Roadmap.  I made clear that the transition must end in August 2012." 
7. Cutaway, delegates
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, Secertary-General, United Nations:
"On the military front, we must not exclude the incorporation of new forces and the expansion of AMISOM. We are undertaking a joint assessment on the ground and will revert to this Council with a proposal. In the meantime, I echo AU and AMISOM troop contributors and ask you to reconsider the financial and logistical arrangements for supporting AMISOM operations in the next phase."
9. Med shot, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin approaching microphone
10. Cutaway, reporter writing on note pad
11. Cutaway, reporter writing on lap top   
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations:
"The members of the Security Council welcomed the landmark December 9 visit of the Secretary-General to Mogadishu and his announcement that the UN political office for Somalia will relocate to Mogadishu in January 2012. The members of the Security Council underlined the seriousness of the political security and humanitarian problems in Somalia whose consequences include terrorism, piracy and hostage taking. They stress the need for a comprehensive strategy to address these problems and to encourage the establishment of peace and stability in Somalia though cooperative efforts of all stake-holders."

RECENT – MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

13. Various shots, Ban arriving in Mogadishu

STORYLINE:

The Security Council today welcomed last week's landmark visit to Somalia by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the political, security and humanitarian challenges in the country through collaborative efforts.

After hearing from the Secretary-General, who visited the Horn of Africa country on Friday, the Council pointed out in a press statement that the consequences of the problems in Somalia include terrorism, piracy and hostage-taking.

Members of the Council reiterated their full support of Mr. Ban's efforts and those of his Special Representative Augustine P. Mahiga, in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and other international and regional partners, to address Somalia's challenges, including through the upcoming conference on Somalia in London early next year.

The Council, in the statement read by Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, which holds the Council's presidency for this month, also welcomed Secretary General's announcement that the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) will relocate to Mogadishu next month.

It called for faster implementation of the roadmap of key tasks and priorities to be completed by Somalia's Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) before the current transitional arrangement ends in August next year, while recognizing the need for international support to facilitate the process.

Members of the Council said the future support to the TFIs will be contingent on the completion of tasks stipulated in the roadmap and took note of the Secretary General's view that further extension of the roadmap would be untenable.

The Council commended the efforts of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali security forces in their military campaign against insurgents of the Al Shabaab group, and recognized their significant sacrifices.

The UN body reiterated its grave concern over the food crisis in Somalia and welcomed the international response and the tireless efforts of the relief workers. It urged Member States to contribute to the UN consolidated appeal for Somalia, and appealed to all parties and armed groups to ensure full, safe and unhindered access for the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Earlier, Mr. Ban told the Council that the withdrawal of insurgents from Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, and their retreat from other areas under pressure from the national armed forces supported by Kenyan and Ethiopian troops presents an opportunity for the international community help stabilize the country.

"On the military front, we must not exclude the incorporation of new forces and the expansion of AMISOM." He said a joint AU-UN joint assessment was under way and its proposal will be presented to the Council.

He Ban echoed the appeal by AU and countries contributing troops to AMISOM for the Council's reconsideration of financial and logistical arrangements for supporting the African mission's operations in the next phase.

The Secretary-General stressed the importance of AMISOM being able to deploy beyond Mogadishu, which requires that the force be brought to its full strength of 12,000 troops. The force also needs to be provided with the necessary equipment, including such air assets as helicopters, and military engineering capabilities.