Assembly/AU/Dec.222(XII) Page 2 Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) to continue with their efforts, and URGES all Somali stakeholders that have not yet done so to commit themselves to dialogue and join the peace process. The Assembly STRONGLY CONDEMNS those elements seeking to undermine the peace efforts, as well as peace and stability in the region as a whole, and EXPRESSES ITS FULL SUPPORT for the decision by IGAD, as endorsed by the PSC, to impose targeted sanctions on all those intent on undermining the ongoing efforts; 7. WELCOMES the election of a new President for Somalia which represents a major breakthrough in the peace process and EXPRESSES its satisfaction over this latest development; URGES all Somali stakeholders to work with the TFG and join the peace process. The Assembly strongly CONDEMNS those elements that are undermining the peace efforts; 8. FURTHER WELCOMES the extension of the transitional period by two years and CALLS ON the international community to lend increased support to the TFG so that the progress achieved can be sustained in order to bring lasting and durable peace in the country; 9. EXPRESS ITS FULL SUPPORT for the decision of IGAD as endorsed by the PSC to impose targeted sanctions on all those intent on undermining the ongoing efforts; 10. TAKES NOTE of the completion by Ethiopia of the withdrawal of its forces from Somalia in line with the Djibouti Agreement and REITERATES AU’s appreciation for the sacrifice made by Ethiopia and its commitment to the search for a lasting solution to the conflict in Somalia. The Assembly PAYS TRIBUTE to AMISOM and the Troop Contributing Countries, namely Burundi and Uganda, for their commitment to the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia. 11. ALSO PAYS TRIBUTE to the AU partners and Member States, in particular Algeria, for providing financial and/or logistical support to AMISOM, and WELCOMES the adoption by the UN Security Council, on 16 January 2009, of Resolution 1863(2008), in which it expressed its intent to establish a UN peacekeeping operation in Somalia as a follow-up to AMISOM, subject to a further decision by 1 June 2009, and authorized the provision of a support package to AMISOM. The Assembly URGES the Security Council to urgently adopt a resolution authorizing the deployment of the envisaged peacekeeping operation; 12. REITERATES its concern at the continued impasse in the peace process between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and CALLS FOR renewed efforts, including by the AU, to assist the two countries overcome the current situation, normalize their relations and lay the foundation for a comprehensive and lasting peace between them;