Mogadishu, 1 February 2012 – The eleventh session of the Joint Security Committee was held in Mogadishu from January 31st to February 1st 2012. The Committee was co-chaired by His Excellency Hussein Arab Isse, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, by Dr. Augustine Mahiga, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, by Hon. Wafula Wamunyinyi, Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC), and by Mr. Patrick Nabiswa, Representative of the Facilitator for Somalia Peace and Reconciliation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
Underscoring the primary Somali ownership of the security and justice sector development process, the first day of this JSC meeting was hosted and facilitated by the Transitional Federal Government in "Villa Somalia" and centered on national dialogue in security and justice matters. The meeting was attended by representatives of Puntland, Galmudug, and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a (ASWJ). The national stakeholders identified a number of issues for further discussions, among them:
- The urgency to deliver effective security and law enforcement in areas newly recovered from Al Shabaab control;
- The critical role of justice in security and peace consolidation;
- Countering extremist ideology by means of civic education; and
- Programmes to handle the growing number of disengaging fighters from armed groups.
The Committee:
- Emphasized the importance of security forces fighting Al Shabaab being integrated into the National Security Forces and resourced appropriately.
- Noted with alarm the conflict in Sool region and called for an immediate end to the violence.
- Called for comprehensive counter-piracy efforts including through employment generation.
The second day of the JSC meeting was facilitated by UNPOS and was attended, in addition toSomali stakeholders, by members of the International Community, including Denmark, Egypt,France, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, as well as theAfrican Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the UnitedNations (UN). Also present was a high level European Union delegation led by General Håkan Syrén, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, who briefed the JSC on the EU'scomprehensive strategy to support security in the Horn of Africa. Admiral Duncan Potts,Commander of EU NavFor ATALANTA, Colonel Michael Beary, the Commander of the EUTraining Mission in Uganda, and Ms. Birgit Loeser from the European External Action Service,briefed on their respective missions. The EU delegation expressed the wish for close cooperation with JSC members.
Also in attendance was the Director General of the International Organization for Migration(IOM), Ambassador William Swing, who in his opening remarks emphasized IOM's sustained commitment to assist Somalia. A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation on demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of disengaging fighters in Somalia was signed between UNPOS and IOM.
The Committee endorsed a revised version of its Terms of Reference, subject to minor amendment. The revised ToRs expand the co-chairmanship of the JSC to include the IGAD Facilitator and additional representatives of the TFG. Furthermore, they make reference to the National Security and Stabilization Plan (NSSP) and reflect a clearer division of responsibilities between the Technical Working Groups. The inclusion of the Minister of Women and Family Affairs was particularly welcomed.
The Chief of Defense Staff of the National Security Forces of Somalia and the AMISOM Deputy Force Commander briefed the Committee on military and security developments over the past months, in particular regarding ongoing joint security operations against Al Shabaab in Mogadishu and in the southern and central regions. The TFG Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, H.E. Abdullahi Godah Barre, briefed the JSC on his recent visit to the newly recovered town of Beled Weyne to build consensus on the establishment of a regional administration and the integration of the fighting forces.
The JSC considered the findings of the JSC Technical Working Groups against the updated Security Sector Development Action Plan Matrix. The Committee took note and endorsed the recommendations of the Military Technical Working Group. In particular:
- The JSC welcomed the extension of recruit training in Bihanga (Uganda) by the European Union, and considered the need to expand training efforts to all military levels. In this context, it noted the formation of a Training Sub-Committee;
- The JSC noted the delay of stipend payments to the National Security Forces (NSF), and called on additional donors to support the payment of stipends to the increasing number of troops. It took note of the request to increase the individual stipend rate, but called on the TFG to provide detailed and consolidated documentation of forces under its command;
- The JSC considered the development of a severance and pensions payment system but emphasized the need for fiscal transparency and the identification and declaration of all revenue streams;
- The JSC took note of the lack of barrack accommodation for the growing number of NSF troops and reiterated the call for donors to improve force accommodations.
The JSC considered the recommendations of the Police Technical Working Group (PTWG)pertaining to the Somali Police Force (SPF). In particular:
- The Committee acknowledged the significant contribution that the EU and Japan has been making in the payment of SPF stipends and endorsed the need for the continued payment of stipends and salaries for an extended period beyond the end of the Transition, but urged the speedy introduction of a biometric system as a precondition for further payments, noting the increasing financial burden for individual donors due to the growing number of stipend recipients;
- The JSC noted the need to recruit, screen and train more SPF officers, and the funding needs associated with this. The Committee welcomed new partners in this field, such as Egypt and Turkey. The JSC took note of the need for guidance on a social and reintegration package for SPF personnel, covering retirement, injury and death;
- The JSC endorsed the need for close coordination and harmonization of training activities further emphasizing the need to develop and utilize training facilities within Somalia. The Committee also reinforced the need to expand the SPF's presence in and control over all regional districts in the light of their recovery from Al Shabaab.
The JSC further welcomed the proposal to activate the Justice and Corrections Technical Working Group (JCTWG) and to hold an inaugural meeting in February. It noted the intent of the JCTWG secretariat to circulate a draft action plan shortly as well as its first progress report.
The Committee welcomed the recent adoption of the National Security and Stabilization Plan (NSSP) by the TFG Council of Ministers, but noting that its approval by the Transitional Federal Parliament was still outstanding.
The co-chairs of the Joint Security Committee thanked the TFG for co-hosting this meeting and AMISOM for their continued contribution to improving security in Mogadishu.