Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Nairobi, Kenya (Angola Press) - President Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti Tuesday appealed to COMESA leaders gathered in Nairobi to press for inclusive dialogue towards genuine reconciliation efforts in order to end the security crisis facing Somalia.
"The situation that prevails today in Somalia and the relative calm observed despite the ongoing attacks against the AMISOM forces reminds us daily that in order to consolidate peace it is imperative to initiative an inclusive and constructive dialogue," he said.
He appealed for restraint from all parties in the lawless nation, and called for the opening of dialogue between warring parties as Somalia prepares to hold the much-awaited reconciliation conference mid next month.
"Securing the capital Mogadishu and the imperious necessity to succeed at the conference scheduled on 16 June, reconciling a large common consents, do not constitute in our view sufficient in contributing towards the salvation of the Somali nation," he said.
Eritrea, one of the seven members of the regional grouping, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has recently quit the grouping over a disagreement on the mode of mediating and ending the Somali crisis.
President Guelleh called on members of COMESA, Africa`s largest trading bloc, to help resolve the crisis unfolding in Somalia to enable it embark on reconstruction and development of the war-ravaged nation.
He lamented that there could be no military solution to the divisions that have persisted in Somalia for so long, adding that the suffering of the population has continued at an unacceptable cost to all Somalis for more than 15 years.
"We believe that it is finally time to help Somalia and it is people rebuild their life. We also welcome constructive initiatives that aim to help the federal government and all concerned parties to find common ground for their differences," he said.
Source: Angola Press, May 23, 2007