Somalia conference hailed as"unmitigated success" by UN chief

The London Somalia Conference on Thursday was dubbed an "unmitigated success" by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The conference was co-chaired by Britain, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the United Nations and the African Union, and attended by 42 friends and partners of Somalia.

Guterres told a press briefing at the conclusion of the conference in central London: "This conference was an unmitigated success... it has created the conditions for an opportunity to materialize and an opportunity that we cannot miss.

"An opportunity to take Somalia out of decades of conflict, of poverty... an opportunity to defeat terrorism and to establish peace. An opportunity to allow for the build-up of national institutions and lay the foundations of a normal economic and social development process."

The Somali delegation was led by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

Farmaajo said: "We agreed on a security pact and a new policy for Somalia in support of Somalia's National Development Plan. Endorsing the National Policy for Somalia is a great step forward.

"Our aim is to fulfill a Somali vision to achieve a stronger and more secure, more cooperative union that enhances everything and good governance for all Somalis. But that cannot be achieved without security. Today we have acknowledged a Somali-led and owned security pact."

A post-conference communique said that there was now an opportunity to set out an agenda for Somali-led reforms supported by the international community over the next four years and in the longer term.

"We emphasise the importance of maintaining the momentum towards positive change and reconciliation in the country, reaffirm our support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia, and pledge our support for a democratic, stable and prosperous Somalia," the communique said.

"We recognize that the credibility of the Somali government hinges largely on its ability to deliver for the Somali people."

The communique noted that Somalia had made "significant progress" in state formation and substantial progress towards re-engagement with international financial institutions.

Somalia has drafted its first National Development Plan in 30 years, articulating its priorities for the coming period, and Somali leaders have recently reached an agreement on a National Security Architecture, the communique said.

It noted that terrorism was still a threat to peace and security work to address constitutional issues needs to be expanded and accelerated and a stable federal settlement reached. Security sector reform had not progressed as quickly as envisaged and the threat of piracy remained real.

Further progress on democratization, human rights and rule of law was needed, corruption needed to be tackled, poverty reduced and economic recovery advanced. Famine also demanded an immediate and greater response, said the communique.

The Somali government and the international community committed to carrying out reform in three areas -- strengthening national security and international security guarantee; more inclusive, stable politics; and economic recovery.

Participants agreed on a security pact and the strong New Partnership for Somalia between the country and the international community, in support of Somalia's National Development Plan. Endit