[{"bbox": [93, 151, 1166, 579], "category": "Text", "text": "Components (1) and (2) will be demand-driven and will enable the EU and the Federal Government of Somalia to mobilise targeted, flexible, and tailor-made support for the entire programming and project management cycle including independent third party monitoring. The government's capacity development needs, political and policy dialogue as well as joint programming/Team Europe approach at country level will also be facilitated. Component (3) is intended to fill the gaps in the aviation sector and provide additional capacity and flexibility for the international community where commercial airlines are not reliable and the road transport network is in poor condition and unsafe. Component (4) provides support via the UN for coordination and sustainable programming across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus by deepening joint analysis, planning, programming and reporting across the nexus thereby addressing the root causes of vulnerability, poverty and conflict, by taking account of their human rights and gender dimensions. Component (5) will target the general public through campaigns and actions aimed at increasing awareness, understanding and approval of the EU's partnership with the country, as well as its role in the region and world. Integration of cross cutting issues in EU programmes and communication activities will be supported through facilitation of specific analyses and supporting policy dialogue on various cross cutting topics, including Commission priorities like the Green Deal and digitalisation, as well as human rights, gender, conflict, migration and underlying natural disaster risks, exacerbated by climate change. The assistance will also help the EU apply the Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA)² and gender mainstreaming³, to meet the human rights and gender equality commitments."}, {"bbox": [85, 604, 324, 638], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 2 RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [85, 670, 236, 699], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.1 Context"}, {"bbox": [96, 728, 1165, 917], "category": "Text", "text": "Somalia is a key partner of strategic interest for the EU in the areas of stability and security in the Horn of Africa, but also for climate change, migration, education and promotion of green economic growth. Despite sustained progress on economic reforms, the overall situation in Somalia continues to be extremely fragile and volatile hampered by political instability, and climate induced shocks, persistent security challenges and socio-economic vulnerability. These factors combined with the Covid-19 pandemic and the desert locust infestations are the main drivers of acute humanitarian needs, with 2.9 million people internally displaced and over 6 million people facing acute food insecurity and hunger."}, {"bbox": [96, 926, 1165, 1060], "category": "Text", "text": "The political instability driven by Al-Shabaab and tensions between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and some of the Federal Member States (FMS) characterise the political context in Somalia. The 15-month overdue presidential elections, added to these tensions, which are undermining the state building efforts and progress towards key milestones, such as the finalisation of the provisional constitution, the agreement on the federal model, and the electoral system."}, {"bbox": [96, 1071, 1165, 1207], "category": "Text", "text": "The political tensions and deep-seated grievances also represent a significant obstacle to achieving progress on the security front. Al-Shabaab continues to control significant parts of the country and carries out regular attacks against civilians as well as Somali and AMISOM forces. Despite the commitment in the Somalia Transition Plan (STP) to take over the country's security responsibility by 2023, Somali security forces remain heavily dependent on international support and cannot ensure the protection of the population."}, {"bbox": [96, 1216, 1165, 1458], "category": "Text", "text": "On the economic front, Somalia achieved an important milestone in March 2020 by reaching HIPC Decision Point, which in turn resulted in the normalisation of the relationship with international financial institutions and the potential unlocking of significant financial resources most notably from the World Bank and the IMF. However, political developments over the past year have triggered a de facto suspension of direct budget support to the FGS and stopped the IMF from being able to complete a formal review of the ongoing Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme. According to the IMF, the programme would be considered off track if the Board was not able to complete a review by May 2022, which would seriously set back the process of reaching HIPC Completion Point. With the significant Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation that Somalia received from the IMF in August 2021, the Government is currently projected to be able to finance priority expenditures until mid-2022."}, {"bbox": [96, 1467, 1165, 1523], "category": "Text", "text": "Given the current context, inclusive elections and an orderly and peaceful transition of power will be key for stability but also for reinvigorating overall reform dynamics. Achieving the EU's strategic objectives in Somalia is a long-"}, {"bbox": [85, 1571, 1144, 1622], "category": "Footnote", "text": "² https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/news/taking-forward-commitment-reducing-inequalities-human-rights-based-approach-toolbox-adopted_en"}, {"bbox": [85, 1621, 653, 1647], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³ https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_20_2184"}, {"bbox": [1037, 1680, 1145, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 14"}]