18 Sep 2012

UN / SOMALIA

The Security Council today (18 September) expressed its determination to work closely with the new institutions and offices of the Somali authorities, and encouraged the new President to appoint an inclusive, accountable Government.

Posted at: September 18, 2012 2:37 pm

Duration: 02:00

Available in: SD

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STORY: UN / SOMALIA
TRT: 2.00
SOURCE: UNTV 
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 18 SEPTEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1.	Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters

18 SEPTEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY

2.	Wide shot, Security Council
3.	Med shot, delegates
4.	SOUNDBITE (English) Elmi Ahmed Duale, Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations:
"It has been 21 years since we lost most of our sovereignty and our share in the international community's endeavour for peace and security. This resolution today is a landmark and it augurs well for our Government and the future of Somalia and the new President, to forge ahead in peace and security."
5.	Med shot, delegates
6.	SOUNDBITE (English) Elmi Ahmed Duale, Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations:
"The fight just starts; the real fight for a real nation to come from the ruins of destruction to nationhood that will allow every Somali to be proud of being of that country."
7.	Zoom out, Security Council
8.	Wide shot, Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant walks to the stakeout position
9.	
FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

10.	Close up, cameras

18 SEPTEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY

11.	SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Lyall Grant, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations:
"Through completing the transition process, Somalia now has a real opportunity to progress towards a more peaceful future. The end of the transition is however only the beginning. Somalia still faces a significant threat from Al Shabaab. This resolution underlines the Council's appreciation of the critical role of AMISOM in improving the security situation in Somalia, but we must not be complacent."

FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

12.	Close up, reporter's laptop computer

18 SEPTEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY

13.	Pan right, Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant walks away from the stakeout position

STORYLINE:

Somalia has taken a series of important steps in recent weeks to bring an end to the Horn of Africa nation's eight-year political transition, including the adoption of a provisional constitution, the establishment of a new parliament and the election of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as President.

Ambassador Elmi Ahmed Duale of Somalia told the Council that today's resolution was "a landmark", noting that it has been 21 years since Somalia had a fully functional government.

Duale said "the real fight" now begins "for a real nation to come from the ruins of destruction to nationhood that will allow every Somali to be proud of being of that country."

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the Council stressed the importance of the new Somali authorities developing a programme to define post-transition priorities, and underlined that a national referendum on the provisional constitution and general elections should take place within the term of the current parliament.

It also underlined the responsibility of the Somali authorities "to support reconciliation and deliver effective and inclusive local administrations, and public services to the people," and that these initiatives must be complemented by the expansion of rule of law institutions to areas recovered from Al-Shabaab insurgents.

Outside the Council, Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant of the United Kingdom told reporters that Somalia "now has a real opportunity to progress towards a more peaceful future," but cautioned that the end of the transition is "only the beginning" as the country "still faces a significant threat from Al Shabaab."

He added that "we must not be complacent."

The 15-member body also strongly condemned the grave and systematic human rights violations perpetrated by many parties, including al-Shabaab, and emphasized the need for accountability for all such violations and abuses.

It reiterated its support for the UN-backed African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and called on all partners to support it as well through the provision of funding for troops, equipment and technical assistance.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be hosting a high-level meeting on Somalia in the margins of the General Assembly later this month.