Nairobi — Four Heads of African states yesterday asked the warring Somali factions to reconcile and end the 11-year conflict to pave way for a united country.

President Moi of Kenya, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, General Omar Hassan Al Bashir of Sudan and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi said the peace process in Somalia could only be achieved through reconciliation by the warring groups.

The leaders were speaking during the official opening of the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference in Eldoret.

President Moi said the conflict in Somalia had caused untold suffering to its people and also impacted negatively on the neighbouring countries.

"Due to the conflict situation many Somalis do not have access to humanitarian assistance which the international community continues to provide. The conflict has also resulted in the influx of refugees to neighbouring countries, illicit trade in small arms and light weapons leading to increased insecurity," said President Moi.

The President said it was time for Somalis to embrace unity and reconcile with each other by putting aside selfish interests and laying down their weapons.

He wondered why Somalis could not unite and yet they shared a common language, culture and religion.

"The peace process belongs to the Somali people, no one from outside is going to give prescriptions. The process must be owned by the Somalis and the path to the peace and reconciliation walked by the Somalis themselves," the President advised.

He challenged the over 300 delegates attending the three-week conference to find a lasting solution for the peace process, adding that the conference which is the 14th could be the last.

"It is a question of give and take and should therefore be the responsibility of the leaders to craft and deliver peace and reconciliation during this conference," said the President.

The IGAD chairman, Omar Al-Bashir said it was upon the Somali leaders to decide their destiny by reconciling.

He challenged the warring factions to enter into reconciliation, which he said was the only way of rebuilding the country. Yoweri Museveni of Uganda lashed at the international communities and some African countries of doing little in helping to restore peace in Somalia.

He termed the 11-year-old war in Somalia as a negative example to the people of Africa, attributing its cause to poverty due to under-development.

He said Somali faction leaders should discard clan ideology and accept changes in the modern society instead of engaging in war. The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi said apart from co-ordinating peace talks, African leaders have done very little in implementing resolutions aimed at restoring peace in Somalia.

He said the Somali leaders should admit that they have failed their people, challenging the involved delegates to reconcile during the conference.

The special envoy to Somalia, Mr Elijah Mwangale said his technical committee had involved all political actors including factions, traditional leaders, civil society groups and women in a bid to achieve the peace process.

The occasion was also attended by officials from the European Union, the Arab league and the United Nation.