Statement by H.E. Mr. Tsuneo Nishida
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Debate of the Security Council
On the Situation in Somalia
16 October 2012

Mr. President,

At the outset, I would like to express appreciation to Your Excellency Mr. Gert Rosenthal, Permanent Representative of Guatemala, for the leadership in convening this debate on Somalia and for giving me the opportunity to address the Security Council. I also would like to express appreciation to Mr. Elmi Ahmed Duale, Permanent Representative of Somalia for his statement as well as Ambassador Augustine P. Mahiga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia for his briefing.

Mr. President,

After more than 20 years of devastation and 8 years of a transitional period, the concerted efforts by the Somali Transitional Federal Government, the AU, the UN, the Security Council and other partners have contributed to the advancement of peace and stability in Somalia. These efforts include the Djibouti Agreement and the Kampala Accord as well as the Road-Map which have all set up a timeline for the political process leading to the end of the transitional period. Japan strived to play a substantial role in these efforts.

The political tasks have been achieved, despite some delays. Japan commends the ownership demonstrated by the Somali people in a democratic and transparent manner, namely with the adoption of the new provisional Federal Constitution of Somalia and the selection of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The progress, which has finally put an end to the transitional period, has been remarkable. We cannot forget to applaud the dedication by SRSG Mahiga to this process. Sincere tributes should also be paid to the Somali TFG and AMISOM, whose sacrifices made possible the liberation of a large majority of the territory of Somalia. Japan extends its appreciation to AMISOM Troop Contributing Countries and Ethiopian troops in this regard.

Mr. President,

The Somali people have overcome major challenges. Now is the time for the people of Somalia to enter the next phase of new political dispensation, stabilization and peacebuilding. Japan welcomes ‘The Six Pillar Policy’ introduced by President Mohamud at his inaugural speech and his appointment of Mr. Abdi Farah Shirdon as his Prime Minister. Japan is ready to support the new Somali government in its new endeavor towards reconstruction and development of the country.

While acknowledging the progress made so far, we need to consolidate this progress. In this regard, security still remains key and it is indispensable to reinforcing Somali Security Forces. Japan has been one of the leading actors in the security sector development in Somalia and remains committed to working with the United Nations and other donor countries toward peace and security in Somalia.

Mr. President,

Piracy also remains an important item on the agenda in terms of stability in Somalia. The number of attacks by pirates is decreasing, thanks to joint efforts made by Somalia and the international community. Japan is proud to have taken part in the efforts and continues to ensure maritime security of the region by various measures including the deployment of two destroyers and two patrol aircraft in the Gulf of Aden, working in close cooperation with other partners.

Mr. President,

Last but not least, as Somalia enters a new phase for peacebuilding, it is necessary for the Somali people, who suffered and therefore deserve to receive ‘dividends of peace’, to become front runners for the development of the country. For that purpose, a new roadmap should be made for the reconstruction and peacebuiding of the country. Japan appreciates the initiative made by the Secretary-General to hold the Mini-Summit on Somalia last month where participants discussed the future dispensation of Somalia as well as the modalities of peacebuilding in the country. We also appreciate the UN’s on-going efforts to conduct a strategic review on the future presence of the UN in Somalia.

These peace, security and development initiatives in Africa will be the top-priority on our agenda under our ’TICAD’ initiative. The TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development) process is the platform where Japan has explored and promoted the development of the African continent, together with the African countries since 1993.  Next June, Japan, the UN, UNDP, and for the first time, the AU, will co-organize the 5th TICAD Conference, and discuss current and future challenges that Africa faces, including peacebuilding in Somalia.  Japan would like to invite a high-level of participation by African countries and partners.

I thank you, Mr. President.