MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 10, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga welcomes the statement issued by the Joint Committee of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on the Grand Stabilization Plan for South Central Somalia and recognizes the importance of the initiative under the auspices of the IGAD Facilitator for Somalia Peace and Reconciliation.
“Stabilization of South Central Somalia is a key component in the vision of the Federal Republic of Somalia as outlined in the President’s six pillar policy and in the Prime Minister’s stabilization plan” said SRSG Mahiga. “We welcome the fact that Somalia was represented in the recent meeting of the Joint Committee in Addis Ababa at a high-level in the spirit of inclusion and Somali-owned and led processes. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) issued provides the framework to strengthen and expedite the implementation of the plan” SRSG Mahiga added.
Political reconciliation, establishing local administration, developing the country’s security capacity, establishing rule of law and delivering necessary assistance and basic services to communities in need are key components of the MOU.
“The initiative empowers the population at all levels in the newly recovered areas of south-central Somalia to determine administrative and political arrangements in the Federal Republic of Somalia” said SRSG Mahiga adding that this is in line with the Government’s policy.
“We are aware of the significant human, financial and technical resources towards achieving this effort. The international community needs to encourage and support these endeavours of the Federal Government and IGAD regional partners to urgently fill the space left by the Al Shabaab to stabilize the areas and promote lasting peace and stability in Somalia and in neighbouring countries.
This welcome initiative comes in the wake of remarkable security achievements by the Somali and AMISOM forces and historical political strides by the Somali people to end the transition.
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