First Quartet Meeting on the Modalities of a new AU Mission in Somalia Convened

On 5 January, the African Union (AU), Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) convened the first Quartet meeting to discuss the way forward and agree on a roadmap for the development of a strategic proposal, Concept of Operations (CONOPs) and the logistics plan for a new AU mission in Somalia. The meeting was attended by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, H.E. Abdisaid Muse Ali; the EU Director General for Africa, H.E. Rita Laranjinha; and the Under Secretary General for UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), H.E. Rosemary DiCarlo and the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General to Somali and the African Union respectively, Mr James Swan and Ms Hanna Tetteh. The Quartet, inter alia, underscored the need for the FGS and partners to be guided by the principles agreed to by the AU and FGS on 29 December 2021; cooperation and complementarity among all stakeholders, which is very critical for post 2021 engagements; and elaboration of a strategic guidance document that would inform and shape the joint report, the CONOPs and the logistics plan for the new AU Mission. The AU indicated that it would undertake consultations with the FGS over the next two weeks with a view to resolving any outstanding issues.