(as delivered)

  

Statement by H.E. Mr. Yoshifumi Okamura

Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

At the Briefing of the United Nations Security Council

By the Chair of the Security Council Committee Pursuant to

Resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009)

Concerning Somalia and Eritrea

18 February 2016

 

Mr. President,

 

       As this is the first meeting on Security Council Committee concerning Somalia and Eritrea for Japan, I would like to start by congratulating you on your work as the Chair of the Committee. Let me also commend the work carried out by the Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea.

 

Mr. President,

 

       For Somalia, this is a crucial year for the implementation of Vision 2016.  Japan welcomes the recent inclusive Somali-led discussions on an electoral model, and the decision announced by the Federal Government of Somalia at the end of January. 

 

       It is now important for all parties of Somalia to set aside the remaining differences and engage constructively in the political process without delay to agree on the details, so that this decision will be implemented in time for the elections to be carried out by September.

 

       In this connection, proper management of public finances in the run-up to the elections is crucial. We must not allow spoiler networks to manipulate the course of events through financial bribes or threats. The Security Council should be ready if necessary to consider listing individuals engaged in any acts which threaten the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia for targeted measures.

 

       Al-Shabaab (AS) still remains a major threat. Japan strongly condemns the terrorist attacks which took place recently, and we express our sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the victims and the families. We pay tribute to AMISOM and the Somali National Army (SNA) for their work under harsh conditions on the ground. In order to prevent Al-Shabaab from taking further advantage, we believe it is crucial that offensive operations against Al-Shabaab by AMISOM, SNA and the police are carried out in an even more closely coordinated manner. We look forward to the TCC summit meeting and the Somalia High Level Partnership Forum in Istanbul next week to yield concrete results in this direction.

 

Mr. President,

 

       After long endeavors, Somalia is at last moving steadily toward state-building. This must be Somali-led, but at the same time be supported by the international community. It is my pleasure to announce that Japan has recently provided additional assistance of 37.1 million USD, expected to be used for state-building of Somalia, such as supporting election process and police training.

 

Mr. President,

 

       Japan is a strong supporter of the Monitoring Group.  It is unfortunate that the Monitoring Group has not been able to visit Eritrea since February 2011.  I would like to remind that all Member States are under the obligation to act in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, and to cooperate with the Monitoring Group so that this important body can carry out its mandated tasks fully and effectively.

 

       To this end, we hope to see the new experts of the Monitoring Group and the Government of Eritrea engaging in a cooperative and constructive manner this year, with the support of the Sanctions Committee and this Council.

 

Mr. President,

 

       Japan stands ready to provide every support as we continue our work in the Sanctions Committee under your chairmanship.

 

       Thank you.