COMMUNIQUE
OF THE
SUMMIT OF THE TROOP CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES TO THE AFRICAN UNION TRANSITION MISSION IN SOMALIA AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA
27TH APRIL 2023
STATE HOUSE, ENTEBBE
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1. At the invitation of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, the Summit of Heads of State and Government of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Federal Republic of Somalia was held on 27th April 2023 under the Chairmanship of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
2. The Summit was attended by H.E Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairman of the East African Community, H.E Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti, H.E Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia and H.E Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
3. The Summit was also attended by H.E Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E Mohamed El-Amine Souef, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of African Union Transition Mission In Somalia, H.E Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia, H.E Lucy Daxbacher, Head of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Mission in Uganda, and noted that participation of the representatives from the Development Partners- United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) Delegation in Uganda during the Ministerial Meeting;
4. The Summit was convened to evaluate the achievements made in the implementation of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) mandate and overall security situation in Somalia;
5. The Summit deliberated on the procedures of the drawdown through Communique 1068 adopted by the African Union Peace and Security Council on 08th March 2022. It also followed the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2628 and 2670 of 2022 as well as the Communique PSC/PR/COMM.1143 (2023) of the African Union Peace and Security Council of 07th March 2023. The major component of the ATMIS mandate is to implement the Somali Transition Plan (STP) detailing the handover of security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia by December, 2024;
6. The Summit was preceded by the Ministerial and Senior Officials’ Meetings from 24th -26th April 2023 at Serena Conference Centre, Kampala, where a report was adopted and presented to the Heads of State and Government.
The Summit: –
7. Underscored the importance of respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia;
8. Reaffirmed its commitment to continue to assist in the spirit of Pan -Africanism, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in its stabilization efforts and the region shall not abandon Somalia and will explore alternative means to guarantee security of Somalia;
9. Commended the Troop Contributing Countries for the immense sacrifice in the fight against terrorism and pacifying Somalia; and Paid tribute to the gallant soldiers that lost their lives and those who were injured in the fight against terrorism;
10. Commended, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia for successful implementation of its mandate including supporting smooth political transitions, saving lives and supporting stabilization efforts in Somalia;
11. Welcomed the initiative by the Federal Government of Somalia to take full ownership and leadership of Somalia’s Stabilization Strategy, which marks a renewed momentum by the Government to restore State authority and provide basic public goods and services in liberated areas;
12. Welcomed the cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States marked by the holding in the framework of the National Consultative Council meetings to discuss state- building processes;
13. Underlined the operational success against Al-Shabaab and increasing Somali Security Forces (SSFs) capacity to lead security operations; Recognized the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia in Force Generation, regeneration and Integration as a major component to take over security responsibilities from African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) by December 2024;
14. Further Called for the increased logistical support to the Somali Security Forces and extend the scope to reflect the realties on the ground;
15. Recalled the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions to adopt a strategic, gradual, and sector -by -sector approach to the drawdown and review assessment of security and performance of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia;
16. Reiterated the importance of Force Protection and Survivability including the provision of Force Multipliers and Enablers especially Aviation support; Called for an early joint assessment and planning for drawdown process of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS);
17. Agreed on the procedures for the drawdown of 2,000 ATMIS Troops in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2670 (2022); and Underlined the need for the joint assessment of the drawdown of 3,000 ATMIS Troops, Urged for a quick commencement of preparations and joint assessment bearing the security situation in Somalia;
18. Appreciated the support of the United Nations Security Council in the stabilization efforts in Somalia and Called on the Council to consider lifting the arms embargo on Somalia to enable the country shoulder her security responsibilities;
19. Commended the efforts of the Somali Security Forces along with the Local Community Forces in the successful offensive operations against Al shabaab; Called for the continued mobilization of Local Community Forces in the fight against Al shabaab;
20. Welcomed the adoption of the National Security Architecture by the National Consultative Council which will be a cornerstone to the implementation of the Security Sector Development by the Federal Government of Somalia;
21. Stressed the urgent need to implement the Somali Transition Plan (STP) and Joint African Union/ Federal Government of Somalia Concept of Operations (CONOPs); Expressed concern over the inadequate, unsustainable and unpredictable financing of ATMIS, and Called upon African Union and partners to provide adequate, Predictable, Flexible and Sustainable Funding to enable ATMIS effectively and efficiently execute its mandate;
22. Stressed the need for the African Union Commission to consider utilizing the African Union Peace Fund to support the enhancement of the long -term security capabilities for the Federal Republic of Somalia;
23. Welcomed the role of the Partners to support the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, and Urged the African Union Commission in coordination with the Partners to mobilize resources for the ATMIS Drawdown process and support the Federal Government of Somalia on security and stabilization efforts;
24. Mandated His Excellency Ismail Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti and His Excellency, Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya to engage the development partners on behalf of the Troop Contributing Countries;
25. Mandated His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission to communicate to the United Nations Security Council, the decisions and recommendations of this Summit;
26. Commended His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for convening this Summit and expressed appreciation for the excellent facilities extended by the Government of the Republic of Uganda to all delegations.
DONE at ENTEBBE on 27th APRIL 2023.
Download the Communique here.