Panapress
Friday, April 18, 2008
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The UN Special envoy for Somalia Ahmedou Ould Abdallah T hursday welcomed a declaration by the leading opposition figures in Somalia to stop a military campaign against the interim government.Somali's opposition leadership has said that the country's political problems ca nnot be solved militarily, raising hopes for a fresh round of peace talks to end a political impasse that has persisted since the interim authority relocated there.
Somalia's interim government, formed in 2004 after more than two years of talks in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, bringing together top leaders in the country, has been unable to take full control of the country despite its international backing .
The UN Special Envoy said he was "very encouraged" by the latest positive politi cal developments taking place in Somalia.
Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed told the UN Security Council that he was ready for talks with the leaders of the opposition.
The leaders of the opposition Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) ha ve also agreed to stop their assault against the government in readiness for talks.
The UN envoy said he was pleased that President Yusuf had said he was in favour of peace and reconciliation.
"I am particularly encouraged that President Yusuf emphasized that he is willing to do whatever it takes to promote peace and stability in his country and the former Speaker, Sharif Hasan Shaykh Adan, from the ARS, declared that the Somali p r oblem cannot be solved militarily," said Ould Abdallah.
He said both sides had now made it clear that they were committed to discussions and reconciliation.
The UN envoy said he was talking to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the opposition ARS about the details of the proposed agenda for the talks due next month in Djibouti.
The UN official called on all Somalis to put the dignity and interests of their nation and its people above short-term considerations and personal animosity.
He appealed to Somalia's external partners and friends to provide constructives upport as the nation moves towards greater stability and lasting reconciliation.
Source: Panapress, April 18, 2008