Statement by H.E. Mr. Tsuneo Nishida
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Private Meeting of the Security Council on the Situation in Somalia
21 October 2010
Mr. President,
(Introduction)
I would like to thank the Secretary-General, African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, and the representative of the TFG for their extensive briefings.
I welcome the convening of today’s very important meeting, which demonstrates a strong commitment to Somalia, following the ministerial meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, the meeting of the International Contact Group, and the mini-summit held at the margins of the General Assembly last month. Today, I would like to speak on two points, namely, the Somalia Peace Process and AMISOM.
Mr. President,
(Somalia Peace Process)
We continue to be concerned about the unstable security situation in Somalia, as underscored by the Secretary-General and Mr. Lamamra in their briefings. We believe that it is essential first of all that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) achieves political cohesiveness within itself. In this context, we hope that the Djibouti peace process will be further advanced with the appointment of Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed as the new Prime Minister of the TFG.
In addition, as the communiqué of the AU Peace and Security Council pointed out, the situation in Somalia cannot be resolved without the strong leadership of the TFG towards the achievement of peace. Further national reconciliation will be essential, including through the strengthening of cooperation between the TFG and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a, as well as inclusion of other opposition groups.
Mr. President,
(AMISOM and AMISOM support)
We thank Mr. Lamamra for his detailed explanation on the communiqué of the AU Peace and Security Council. We also welcome the appointment of former President Jerry John Rawlings as the AU High Representative for Somalia, and trust that he will make an active contribution towards peace and reconciliation in Somalia.
Japan highly appreciates the efforts and sacrifice by AMISOM and the great contribution by Uganda and Burundi. As highlighted by Mr. Lamamra, we fully understand the significant role played by AMISOM to protect the TFG in Mogadishu, and that the AU is calling for further support for AMISOM.
It is our view that the discussion on strengthening AMISOM needs to be conducted in a comprehensive strategic context, in which the strengthening of AMISOM will contribute to the peace process, and the role of the international community is to assist in creating an environment that is conducive towards that very end. For consideration of requests from the AU, we believe that the past negotiations on related Security Council resolutions need to be taken into account. In order for the Security Council to produce a feasible solution, we believe that extensive discussion and information-sharing among relevant actors and the Secretariat must take place, including on the questions of how the troop level of AMISOM can be increased from 8,000 to 20,000, and of whether the current logistical support package can be expanded, and if so, what scope and content will be envisaged.
Mr. President,
(Japan’s Contribution)
Before closing, I would like to highlight some of the contributions Japan has made for Somalia. We have contributed approximately 125 million dollars in assistance for Somalia and Somali people since 2007. The training of Somali Police, using our contribution of 10 million dollars to the Somalia Security Institution Trust Fund of March this year is finally to begin at the end of this month. We strongly hope to see tangible results at the earliest possible date. We are determined to continue our support to Somalia, in cooperation with the international community. Finally, we support the press statement, prepared by the UK.
I thank you, Mr. President.
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