Ambassador Sawers with SRSG, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah

On 2 and 3 June, the UN Security Council visited Djibouti to conduct the first two days of its 2008 mission to Africa - covering Somalia.

The delegation received full briefings from the Secretary-General’s Special Representative (SRSG) for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, on the UN-sponsored talks that he is chairing between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS). The delegation also heard from the UN country team, the AU, and representatives of Somali civil society, including women’s groups and traditional Somali elders.

The Council met, separately, delegations of the TFG led by President Yusuf and Foreign Minister Jama, and - for the first time - the ARS opposition led by Chairman Sheikh Sharif and Vice-Chairman Sharif Hassan.

While in Djibouti, the Council encouraged and supported TFG-ARS talks, communicating that a political process was key to achieving sustainable peace and security in Somalia. Facilitation of humanitarian access was essential along with stabilising the security situation by reinforcing the provisions set out in SCR 1814. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo of South Africa, said that the talks represented an opportunity for a new chapter in Somali history after 18 years of a debilitating armed conflict.

The delegation emphasised the importance of dialogue and progressive broadening of the TFG by including unrepresented groups.

Following the Council’s visit, the TFG and ARS signed an agreement on 10 June, pledging to pursue a political process and committing to a cessation of hostilities, which the UK welcomes.