21 November 2000
Nairobi, Kenya — Kenya has agreed to support and re-open diplomatic ties with the new government in Mogadishu, the Somali Prime Minister, Ali Khalif Galaydh, said in Nairobi Tuesday.
Galaydh, who has been holding two days of talks with Kenya's President Daniel arap Moi and Foreign Minister Bonaya Godana, expressed satisfaction at the "supportive gesture" by the Kenyan government.
He told a press conference that Kenya had played host to thousands of Somali refugees, who fled the war in their country over the past 10 years.
The Prime Minister said he was in Nairobi to discuss with the Moi government, Somalia's desire to resume bilateral co-operation with Kenya, and to seek Nairobi's support.
He confirmed that Kenya had agreed to the resumption of ties with the war-torn country.
"Somalia wants to be back and take its rightful place. We want to be in IGAD (Inter Governmental Authority on Development), and Somalia wants to take its rightful place there too," he added.
Galaydh confirmed that Somalia would take part in the forthcoming IGAD talks scheduled for Khartoum, Sudan.
According to the prime minister, Somali President Abdulkassim Salat Hassan would like to participate in the IGAD talks in order to bolster its position in the region and to garner more support from neighbours.
"Somalia needs the support of its neighbours in order for it to stand on its (feet) again," he said.
"We need the diplomatic and political support because we are certain and determined that our government is going to work," he said, while appealing for international support and goodwill.
Galaydh disclosed that during his stay in Nairobi, he also briefed his hosts on the security and political situation in Domslid.
He expressed optimism that no force could destabilise the government, installed early this year in Mogadishu.
Prime Minister Galaydh urged the opposition warlords, who still control pockets of the country, to end their hostilities and join forces with the new government.
He said the government would remain tolerant and ready to accommodate all peace-loving Somalis.
The opposing forces did not participate in the Atta Peace Conference in Djibouti, which brought about the new government.
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