PRESS RELEASE 0027/2008'
Nairobi, 26 October 2008 - The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has congratulated the Transitional Federal Government and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia for their cooperation and hard work over the past three days in Djibouti which led to the signing of two key documents today.
"Somalis will be very pleased by the important progress made in Djibouti and the positive steps taken here," said Mr Ould-Abdallah. "It is a sign of the commitment of the Parties to pushing forward with the Djibouti Agreement."
According to the document signed by the leaders of the delegations to the Joint Security Committee, a ceasefire will become effective on 5 November 2008. The agreement also covers the relocation of Ethiopian troops and measures to avoid a security vacuum involving, initially AMISOM with the assistance of TFG and ARS forces until the deployment of UN forces.
A Joint Declaration, signed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmed Abdisalam Aden and the Chairman of the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, welcomes the assistance of the international community and leadership of the UN for the early establishment of a Somali Unity Government. It says the Government would be open to all Somali nationals and would involve an inclusive parliament.
The signing ceremony in Djibouti was attended by diplomats from, among others, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Italy, the United States, the African Union, the European Commission, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Conference and members of civil society.
"Some very important principles have now been established," said Mr Ould-Abdallah. "The challenge is to ensure that concrete action is taken to show the Somali people how this will benefit them."
Mr Ould-Abdallah also extended his warmest thanks to the Government of Djibouti for all their hospitality and kind help.
Contact:
Susannah Price,
Public Information Officer,
UN Political Office for Somalia (Nairobi, Kenya)
Tel. +254 733 902020 (m).
www.UN-Somalia.org