G7 Italy 2024 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Addressing Global Challenges, Fostering Partnerships
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson April 19, 2024
G7 Foreign Ministers (L-R), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and European Union (EU)'s top diplomat Josep Borrell pose for a group photo in front of the Faraglioni rocks (rear) in Capri, southern Italy, 18 April 2024. [EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MEO]
II. FOSTERING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MEDITERRANEAN AND AFRICA
We will continue to deepen the partnership with African countries and regional organizations, including the African union (AU). We welcome the AU participation in the G20 as a permanent member and reiterate our support for the G20 Compact with Africa. The G7-Africa partnership is guided by the objectives of the AU Agenda 2063, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.
3. Horn of Africa
We reaffirm our strong commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa. We continue to provide humanitarian support to those most affected by food insecurity, widespread poverty, armed violence, the impact of extreme weather events and displacement.
We express our concern regarding the Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and the Somaliland region of Somalia announced in January 2024. We encourage both the Ethiopian and the Federal Government of Somalia to keep all channels of dialogue open to prevent further escalation, working with regional partners, in the framework of the African Union and through bilateral contacts, in accordance with international law and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as enshrined in the UN Charter.
4. Somalia
We commend the important progress in the institutional, macroeconomic and security sector in Somalia. We encourage the Somali Authorities to continue to make meaningful progress in the fight against Al Shabaab and in the consolidation of the institutional framework, including completion of a transparent and inclusive constitutional reform process.
The process of transitioning security responsibilities to the Somali security forces needs to be closely followed, especially in view of the termination of the mandate of the African Union Transitional Mission (ATMIS) in Somalia at the end of 2024. We welcome planning underway by Somalia and the African Union for a multinational mission to follow ATMIS to help maintain stability while Somalia continues to develop its security capabilities.
5. Ethiopia
While we welcome developments in the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, we express concern for the persistent and violent tensions in many areas of the country, as well as reports of human rights violations and abuses, the severe economic crisis and widening food insecurity
We encourage further and lasting developments in the protection of human rights, protection of civilians, political dialogue to resolve tensions, reconciliation and national dialogue, transitional justice and accountability for crimes committed during the conflict.
We call for a similar commitment by those involved in conflicts in other regions of Ethiopia to pursue peace through dialogue.
We underscore the importance of delivering peace dividend quickly for conflict-affected populations through recovery and reconstruction support, disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of ex-combatants, and implementation of durable solutions for Internally Displaced People (IDPs).
https://www.state.gov/g7-italy-2024-for ... rtnerships
U.S. Department of Defense Awards $25 Million Construction Contract to Djiboutian Businesses
PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Publication Djibouti
Apr 23, 2024
The U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Europe Africa Central (EURAFCENT) has awarded a significant $25 million construction contract to five Djiboutian companies. This contract, part of the broader “Africa First” initiative, underscores the commitment of the United States to fostering economic growth and stability in Djibouti.
The contract, which commenced in early April, will enhance infrastructure at Camp Lemonnier and other Department of Defense installations within Djibouti.
“More than 21 years ago, the partnership between the United States and Djibouti at Camp Lemonnier began,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Eilis Cancel, commanding officer of Camp Lemonnier, an operational installation that supports U.S., allied and partner nation forces ensuring security and stability in the Horn of Africa.
“This enduring partnership underscores our shared regional security goals and positively contributes to the Djiboutian economy,” she said. “We welcome these new contracts as an opportunity to continue working closely with our Host Nation partners.”
Notably, the multiple-award construction contract (MACC) stipulates a five-year period of engagement with no extensions, ensuring a sustained influx of projects and financial investment in the local economy.
The contract was awarded under the so called “Africa First” legislation enacted by the U.S. Congress. The legislation, stemming from the National Defense Authorization Act, has played a pivotal role in ensuring that local firms are given priority in such contracts, fostering job creation and business growth within the community. Africa First gives the Department of Defense the ability to provide procurement preferences to qualifying local companies. Using the Africa First legislation and its implementing regulations, NAVFAC was able to limit competition to Djiboutian companies.
Paul Heavey, a NAVFAC EURAFCENT contracting officer, highlighted the efficiency of this approach: “MACC contracts enable the pre-qualification of contractors based on their performance, experience, capability, and safety. This approach not only streamlines the process but also saves both the command and the government valuable time and resources.”
The awarded companies include:
- Prime Projects International, LLC
- Mapi Construction S.A.R.L.
These firms will undertake critical projects ranging from the renovation of facilities to the construction of new infrastructure, directly benefiting the economic landscape of Djibouti. The initial task awarded to Prime Projects involves upgrading water purification systems at Camp Lemonnier.
Capt. Rafael Miranda, commanding officer of NAVFAC Europe Africa Central, praised the local contracting teams for their exceptional work and the positive impact of such collaborations. “Echoing the success of previous contracts with Djiboutian companies, this MACC broadens their access to markets and encourages growth among local enterprises, providing direct benefits to the economy of Djibouti.”
The Department of Defense contract announcement can be read at
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/ ... le/3731560
Somali Police Commander receives officers from Egypt
April 28, 2024
Police Commissioner Gen. Sulub Ahmed and his deputy commissioners welcomed a delegation of high-ranking police officers from Egypt to Mogadishu.
President Hassan Sheikh meets his Tanzanian counterpart
April 27, 2024
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had a fruitful meeting at the Dar-es-Salam Presidential Palace with the President of the Republic of Tanzania, H.E Samia Suluhi Hassan.
The two Presidents discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation in the fields of politics, security, economy, social affairs and issues of the Horn.
President Hassan who is on an official visit to Tanzania after receiving an invitation from the president has invited President Samia Suluhi Hassan to come to Somalia.
Source: Somalia, Tanzania and landlocked war-torn Ethiopia media outlets.
Doha Declaration Upholds Somalia’s Territorial Integrity and Rejects War-Torn Ethiopia - Northern Somalia Unattainable Agreement
The 3rd session of the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum
01 May 2024
Doha, April 30 (QNA) - The 3rd session of the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum with countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan concluded its proceedings today in Doha, The Doha declaration affirmed support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.
Source: Somalia and Qatar media outlets.