The EU pledged 650 million euros

The EU pledged 650 million euros (865 million dollars) at an international donor conference for Somalia to rebuild the country after more than two decades of civil war.

It would be recalled that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had appealed for “real and tangible’’ assistance to rebuild the country.

The 2013 and 2016 pledge by the European Commission, the bloc’s executive, was boosted by further contributions from individual countries attending the Brussels talks, co-hosted by the EU.

This included 170 million euros from Sweden, 90 million euros from Germany and 50 million pounds (70 million dollars) from Britain, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The total aid pledge was to be announced at the end of the day.

“This funding will contribute to all peace- and state-building goals,” said EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.

Piebalgs added that the bloc would additionally continue to fund the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Somalia was due Monday to mark its recent progress by signing an agreement with its international partners pledging to move forward in five key areas: inclusive politics, security, justice, economic foundations and generating revenues to build services.

Mohamud, who has been in office for a year, said he hoped the agreement would enable the country to hold elections in 2016.

“Where there was despair after 20 years of war, of famine, of destitution, now there is hope – hope that a better future is achievable,” said EU President Herman Van Rompuy.

“Re-establishing the rule of law, providing justice and a sense of security to the people: those are the foundations to reconcile the nation, to gain its trust.’’

Mohamud said the presence of delegates from more than 50 countries demonstrated a “commitment, level of seriousnessn and desire to assist Somalia and its people in this time of making (a) new history.’’

“Somalia has made important progress this year,” Barroso said, adding, however that “problems and challenges remain.”

Piracy has been an issue for Somalia, although NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen noted on Monday that no attacks have been recorded off its shores for more than a year.

He also argued, however, that “we cannot allow ourselves to lower our guard. “NATO has contributed to the anti-piracy effort off the Horn of Africa with its Operation Ocean Shield.

“The deep causes of piracy are not to be found at sea, but on land,’’ Rasmussen said during a visit to NATO headquarters by Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who was also taking part in the Somalia conference.

“We hope that the Somali people, with this international solidarity, will be able to benefit … (and that) this country will see the light after 22 years of chaos and misery and civil war,” Guelleh said.

Inland meanwhile, the al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militia al-Shabaab – which has been on the back foot since 2011 - still controls vast areas of southern and central Somalia.

Earlier this month, at least 15 people were killed in bombings at a hotel and nearby restaurant in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

The establishments, frequented by government officials and the city’s elite, had been targeted before in attacks claimed by al-Shabaab.

Mohamud said one threat to security was the dwindling possibility for Somalis to receive remittances – a ”lifeline” to those being supported financially by relatives living abroad – as banks have restricted their remittance activities to Somalia in

recent years.

“Closing that line of remittance and lacking that precious and importance resource to Somali families will only make Somalia more vulnerable,’’ Mohamud said, adding that this would “strengthen the evil forces of al-Shabaab and piracy to recruit many more youngsters.’’In the past five years, the EU has spent more than 500 million euros in development aid on Somalia and almost 700 million euros for security, including contributions to AMISOM, military training and the Atalanta counter piracy mission off the Horn of Africa.