The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions

–  having regard to Rule 115 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  Whereas the prolonged civil war in Somalia is a destabilizing factor for the peace and reconciliation process in that country, as well as for the Horn of Africa,

B.  recalling that Somalia has had no functioning government since the overthrow of the Said Barre regime in 1991 and since then the political situation is one of anarchy, marked by inter-clan fighting and banditry,

C.  whereas the worsening state of security in the capital of Somali, Mogadishu, has prevented national and international NGOs from coping with an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe and respond to emergencies,

D.  whereas the UN Refugee Agency estimates that the total number of displaced people to more than 850,000,

E.  Whereas the fighting has led to the deaths of numerous civilians and the safety of the population is a matter of grave concern,

F.  Whereas out of a population of 10 million inhabitants, approximately 1.5 million Somalis require international aid,

1.  Strongly condemns the recent fighting in Mogadishu, which resulted in the loss of life of numerous Somali civilians and a humanitarian catastrophe,

2.  Calls on warring factions to stop hostilities and respect International Humanitarian Law in order to allow delivery of humanitarian aid to the population in need,

3.  Calls on all Somali factions to end violence, fully respect human rights and individual freedom, commit themselves firmly to peace and to a genuine process of national reconciliation by establishing constructive political dialogue among them,

4.  Considers that the involvement of Somali women's organisations as well as civil society can play a positive role in the national reconciliation process,

5.  Reminds that the international community and all parties to the present conflict have a responsibility to protect civilians,

6.  Calls on the AU and EU to examine ways and means on how to assist the Somalis to achieve peace and national reconciliation and to put an end to a situation which causes much distress and suffering among the civilian population;

7.  Calls on the international community, and the EU in particular, to increase the provision of humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons and the population in need;

8.  Calls for a strict application and monitoring of the arms embargo against Somalia imposed by the UN in 1992, to which scant respect is paid,

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to .the Council, the Commission, IGAD, AU, and the Transitional National Government of Somalia.