Somalia Peace Agreement

(PANA) - The African Union (AU) has welcomed the agreement reached Monday by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and the opposition Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), at the peace and security negotiations that started in Djibouti early this month.

In a statement Tuesday, the AU Commission said the "agreement marks a significant step in the effort aimed at promoting an all-inclusive political process and bringing about lasting peace and stability" in the Horn of Africa country.

The inter-Somali talks, held under the auspices of the United Nations with the support of the AU, regional organisations and international partners, aimed at striking a comprehensive and lasting settlement through the country’s Transitional Federal Charter.

According to the Commission, the agreement would build on the achievement made during the National Reconciliation Congress held in July/August 2007 and subsequent efforts by the Somali stakeholders.

"The AU Commission hails the sense of responsibility and the spirit of compromise demonstrated by the two parties, and strongly urges all other relevant Somali actors to join this process and commit themselves to the peaceful and negotiated settlement of the conflict in their country.

"The AU will spare no efforts in contributing to the successful implementation of this agreement, whose principles and objectives are consistent with the effort it has been making in the political process as well as in stabilising the situation in Somalia through the deployment of AMISOM (AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia)," the statement added.

With this consensus, the AU is optimistic that the international community would lend increased support to the efforts aimed at bringing to a definite end of the violence that has plagued Somalia for about two decades and the untold suffering inflicted on the local population.

The UN Security Council last week reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive and lasting peace in Somalia when its mission, headed by the Council’s current President, Ambassador John Sawyers of the UK, visited Djibouti and met separately with Somalia President Abdullahi Yusuf, representatives of the ARS and the Somali civil society.

According to diplomatic sources here, the Somali President told the Council mission that he was "willing to do whatever it takes" to bring about peace and security in Somalia.

Also, he spoke of the need to implement the TFG’s National Stabilisation Plan, which needed the lifting of the arms embargo in order to allow the rebuilding of the TFG’s security organs, the same sources said.

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