Chairperson and Chairperson-Elect of the African Union Commission Participate in a Mini-Summit on Somalia
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, September 27, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki‐Moon, hosted a Mini Summit on Somalia at the United Nations headquarters which was attended by several Heads of State and Government and Ministerial delegations. Among those in attendance were the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Dr. Jean Ping, and Chairperson‐Elect Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini‐Zuma. The Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, was among the AUC delegates that accompanied Chairperson Ping and the Chairperson Elect to the Mini Summit.
The meeting started with an opening remark by the UN Secretary General, followed by a statement from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somialia who addressed the high level meeting by a live video conference.
In his statement to the Mini Summit, Dr. Ping recalled his recent visit to Mogadishu to attend the inauguration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, which he described as “a graceful and moving occasion.” Pointing out that the “transfer of power from former President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed was as smooth as it was inspiring, unimaginable yesterday but a reality this day”
Chairperson Ping called on the international community to maintain the momentum that led to the successful completion of the Roadmap and the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud adding that partners in support of the new dispensation in Somalia must not sit back as if the country had arrived at its final destination.
He affirmed that the African Union will continue, notably through AMISOM, to support the Somali people and their leaders in their endeavor. “In this respect, particular attention will be given to: the expansion and consolidation of AMISOM operations; the stabilization of activities, including delivery of quick high‐impact projects; the outreach and engagement with the local populations, to build trust between AMISOM, the local communities and with the new Federal Government,” he said.
In order to accomplish a multitude of objectives, Dr. Jean Ping emphasized the necessity of strengthening AMISOM's capacities with the support of the United Nations and other stakeholders on the ground. He also recognized the critical role played by the people of Somalia and the former Transitional Federal Government in bringing the transition process to an end and applauded the role played by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the East African Community, Military and Police Contributing Countries through AMISOM, the United Nations, the European Union, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United States, the rest of the international community and other bilateral partners, in support of the Somali peace process.
New York, New York
September 26th, 2012