CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES OF THE AFRICAN UNION MISSION
IN SOMALIA (AMISOM)

28 FEBRUARY 2016
DJIBOUTI

DJIBOUTI DECLARATION

The Heads of State and Government of the Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) met in Djibouti on 28 February 2016, to discuss the political and security situation in Somalia. A preparatory meeting at Ministerial level of T/PCCs held on 27 February 2016, at the Palais du Peuple in Djibouti, preceded this Summit.

The Summit was chaired by His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti and was attended by the following Heads of State and Government: His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and, His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. His Excellency Alain Aime Nyamitwe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and His Excellency Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye Minister of National Defence represented the Republic of Burundi; His Excellency Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali, Minister of Defence represented the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and His Excellency (Hon) General Jeje Odongo, Minister of State for Defence and His Excellency (Hon) Philmon Mateke Minister of State for Regional Cooperation represented the Republic of Uganda. His Excellency, Ambassador Smail Chergui, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security and His Excellency, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission (SRCC) and Head of AMISOM, represented the AU Commission.

After considering the Conclusions of the preparatory meeting at Ministerial level, the Summit:

Notes the commitments made by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) towards an inclusive electoral process within the constitutional mandated timeline of 2016, especially the efforts made in reaching a consensus agreement on a model for the 2016 elections and stresses the need for the Government to build on this important foundation, in order to fully achieve an inclusive and credible electoral outcome, representative of all Federal Member States. In this respect, welcomes the efforts made by IGAD in its establishment of a Ministerial team to support the FGS engagement with Puntland in order to ensure the smooth and timely implementation of the agreed electoral model.

Strongly condemns the recent attacks perpetuated by Al Shaabab in Mogadishu, Leggo, Janaale, and El Adde and, the continued asymmetrical warfare by this terrorist group against the FGS, the Interim Regional Administrations, Somalia security institutions, AMISOM, the UN and the civilian population and urges all relevant stakeholders especially the international community to intensify efforts in support of AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) operations to significantly degrade the growing threats posed by Al Shabaab.

Welcomes the efforts made by the AU Commission and other stakeholders in the re-vitalisation of AMISOM operations and endorses the outcomes of the 17th meeting of the Military Operations Coordination Committee (MOCC) of 8 February 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya as well as the meeting of the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security with external partners, held in Addis Ababa on 18 February 2016, which discussed enhanced support to AMISOM and SNSF and exchanged views on the areas of support, including bilateral assistance to Somalia, in order to promote resource optimisation, greater coordination and avoid duplication of efforts.

Stresses the need for effective AMISOM Command and Control in order to achieve synergy of the Mission’s efforts against Al Shaabab and therefore directs AMISOM contingents to fully support the Force Commander in his exercise of effective and accountable command of all Military units and equipment assigned to the Mission, under the overall leadership of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission and AMISOM Head of Mission. In addition, the Summit emphasises the need for better coordination of operations and logistics through the establishment of enhanced mechanisms and structures, as appropriate, between AMISOM, SNSF and UNSOS. Furthermore, calls for the provision of technical experts to be embedded within SNSF structures for the purposes of mentoring and capacity building.

Directs full and urgent deployment in all AMISOM Sectors of operations especially in the Gedo region in order to enhance the efficiency of AMISOM operations and consolidate security gains across Somalia.

Recalls the recommendations of the 2015 Joint AU-UN Benchmarking Mission on Somalia relating to a gradual shift to policing, including to strengthen the rule of law, at the right time and the subsequent 2015 CONOPs, which calls for an imminent draw-down of AMISOM military strength to allow for an increase in AMISOM policing activities and based on the current security assessment in Somalia decides for an immediate suspension of the implementation of this recommendation and further directs the AU Commission with other relevant stakeholders to undertake a comprehensive review of AMISOM mandate and CONOPs.

Notes with serious concern the decision by the EU to reduce financial support to AMISOM troop allowance by 20% especially during this critical phase of AMISOM operations and decides to call upon the UN to utilize assessed contributions to bridge this financial gap either through the UNSOS logistical support package or directly to the AU within the framework of Chapter VIII of the UN Charter and relevant constituent instruments, bearing in mind that AMISOM is acting on behalf of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), whose primary responsibility is the promotion of international peace and security. The Summit further reiterates the earlier AU position that the UN fully support AMISOM at levels commensurate with similar UN peace enforcement missions or consider timely modalities for a transition from AMISOM to a UN mission failing which, the AU would have to reconsider the AMISOM mission.

Emphasises the need to undertake a review of immediate requirements for AMISOM and SNSF operational effectiveness with a view to implementing remedial actions aimed at improving offensive operations against Al Shaabab and directs UNSOS to provide the identified support requirements as agreed with AMISOM and SNSF leadership.

Underscores the critical importance of enhanced support to AMISOM and specifically re-iterates the need for the generation and deployment of operational enablers and force multipliers, including pledged helicopters from Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda and, therefore requests the UN to expedite the finalisation of Letters of Assist in order to allow for their deployment as Mission assets, taking due consideration of the high-intensity nature of AMISOM operations. In addition, the AU Commission should report back to the Summit on the progress made in the authorisation and deployment of these Mission assets, not later than 30 days from the adoption of this Declaration.

Commends all T/PCCs and other AU Member States for their various contributions to AMISOM operations and encourages other international partners to contribute and deploy air assets in order to facilitate AMISOM operations.

Requests FGS, AMISOM, T/PCCs and relevant partners to enhance coordination especially in information sharing and communications as part of efforts to revitalise offensive operations in Somalia against Al Shaabab.

Reiterates the critical importance of a viable and strong SNSF to the success of AMISOM and therefore calls upon all relevant stakeholders to redouble support to the SNSF through timely, enhanced and better coordinated training and, through the provision of appropriate infrastructure, equipment and ammunition and further calls upon the FGS, the UN and other international partners, to renew their commitments to the effective implementation of the Gulwaade Plan, including through the expansion of UN support beyond the authorised strength of 10,900 SNA personnel, in strict conformity with the relevant provisions of International Humanitarian Law and in full compliance with the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy.

Recognises the importance of the effective implementation of stabilisation efforts in liberated areas through improved local governance by the FGS with the support of the International Community, establishment of social infrastructure including through Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) and by encouraging procurement of local commodities by UNSOS and AMISOM in order to promote local economies as part of efforts towards winning the hearts and minds of local communities.

Requests for concerted efforts by AU Commission and the International community to identify and disable channels utilised to finance Al Shabaab and other terrorist groups and the recruitment and training of foreign fighters in Somalia.

Takes note of IGAD Regional Security Cooperation Framework, agreed by the following IGAD Member States namely, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda, in addressing regional security issues and further encourages IGAD to continue its efforts in support of the AU to stabilise Somalia in the promotion of the security of the region.

Commends the continued efforts and sacrifices of AMISOM and SNSF personnel in the fight against Al Shaabab and expresses appreciation to the AU Commission as well as to international partners and organisations that are currently providing financial, material and technical assistance to AMISOM and Somalia.

Expresses appreciation to the Government of Djibouti for hosting the meeting, for the hospitality accorded and all the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the meeting.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….. H.E. ISMAIL OMAR GUELLEH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF DJIBOUTI
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. H. E. HAILEMARIAM DESALEGN PRIME MINISTER, FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. H. E. UHURU KENYATTA PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. H.E. HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA
…………………………………………………………………………………………….. FOR: H.E. PIERRE NKURUNZIZA
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. FOR: H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI
PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. FOR: H.E. YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

28 FEBRUARY 2016
DJIBOUTI