The Foreign Ministers of the three Frontline
States: H.E. Ali Abdi Farah of Djibouti, H.E. Seyoum Mesfin of Ethiopia,
H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka of Kenya and H.E. Dr. Attalla Hamad Bashir, the Executive
Secretary of IGAD met on February 2nd, 2003 in Addis Ababa.
The Ministers received the report on
the reconciliation process from the chairman of the Ministerial Committee,
Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka who introduced the new Kenya Special Envoy, H.E. Ambassador
B.A. Kiplagat.
Despite major difficulties, the Ministers were satisfied with the progress achieved so far, especially the work accomplished by the six Reconciliation Committees.
They appreciated the administrative steps taken by the Kenya Government to revitalize the process. They thanked the people and authorities of Eldoret for their hospitality and kindness in hosting the Conference.
They also noted with appreciation the continued political and financial support from the international Partners to the Peace Process.
The Ministers discussed the challenges facing the Conference and agreed on the following:
1. The establishment of a mechanism to monitor violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Declaration. The Committee will consist of representatives of the Technical Committee and international Partners.
2. The actions taken by the Government of Kenya as a cost saving measure in the management of the conference including the relocation of the conference venue from Eldoret to Mbagathi, in Nairobi.
3. To Convene regular meeting of the Ministerial Committee, at least once a month starting on the 1st March, 2003.
4. That step will be taken through the media in particular to better inform the people of Somalia of developments in the National Reconciliation Process.
5. To call upon the Conference delegates to be more proactive and expeditious in the peace process. In this connection, they also call upon the international community to live upon its commitment to the peace process and not to entertain initiatives that would allow forum shopping and thus delay and derail the on-going IGAD process.
DONE AT ADDIS ABABA, 2ND FEBRUARY, 2003