Syria/ Decision to postpone the visit by the Secretary-General of the Arab League
Somalia/ Conclusions of the conference in Mogadishu
DRC/ Violence in connection with the electoral campaign
Syria/ Decision to postpone the visit by the Secretary-General of the Arab League
France deeply regrets the decision by the Syrian authorities to indefinitely postpone the visit by the Secretary-General of the Arab League, which constitutes further evidence of the Syrian regime’s isolation and its refusal to engage in any dialogue with its people or with its Arab League partners.
The Syrian authorities’ postponement of the planned visit to Damascus by the Secretary-General of the Arab League highlights once again Bashar al-Assad’s refusal to listen to those who are advising him to put an end to the crackdown and to see reason, just as another deadly operation is being conducted in Homs.
In this context, we must continue to increase international pressure. All members of the Security Council must assume their responsibilities.
At the European level, we’re currently discussing a 7th round of sanctions. The restrictive measures imposed by the European Union since May 9 aim to stand in the way of those leading the crackdown in Syria and to reduce the funding being used to sustain the violence against the Syrian people.
Somalia/ Conclusions of the conference in Mogadishu
France welcomes the signing of a road map yesterday in Mogadishu by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), representatives of the autonomous region of Puntland and the semi-autonomous region of Galmudug and representatives of Somali society.
This road map, which focuses on security and reconciliation as well as constitutional and governance issues, constitutes a step forward in the process to rebuild the State of Somalia. The process of national reconciliation is moving forward. The task awaiting the TFG is considerable, but it can count on the international community’s support. In consultation with its partners, notably within the European Union, France will ensure that the commitments made by the signatories to this document are respected in accordance with the agreed timetable.
France commends the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Mr. Augustine P. Mahiga, for his determination to facilitate this agreement, as well as the Arab League, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for their action.
While the humanitarian situation in Somalia is deteriorating, France renews its appeals to all Somali actors to renounce violence and to facilitate access to humanitarian assistance. The TFG must demonstrate that it is able to improve the living conditions of the Somali people.
DRC/ Violence in connection with the electoral campaign
France, which is paying particular attention to the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), condemns all forms of violence.
It would like strengthened dialogue between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the competing political forces to address the causes of tension and underlines the importance of the discussions on the Code of Good Conduct.
It urges all actors to prepare for the elections in an atmosphere of calm in order to achieve the common objective of holding the free and credible elections expected by the Congolese citizens.