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Somalia: Scholars Skeptical About Recent Djibouti Agreement
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Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
13 June 2008
Posted to the web 13 June 2008
Some Somali scholars are sceptical about the recent agreement reached in Djibouti between the government and opposition.
[Among the points that brought about suspicion and confusion are the ones relating to the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops and the stand Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia [ARS] is to take on other armed groups that are fighting in the country.
Idris Hasan Farah, a Somali scholar, who was closely following the situation and is currently in Finland, said the point regarding the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops is not very clear. Idris said the way the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops is written does not have any difference with the previous pledge by Ethiopian government that it will withdraw its troops once UN peace keepers are deployed in Somalia. Idiris reiterated that the point is not clear and requires more clarification.
Idris also spoke on the point requiring the ARS to not involve in activities with groups that are not part of the agreement and are involved in the fighting.
Idiris said the point is meant to cause divisions among the various groups that are fighting Ethiopia.
"That point is very vague and is a difficult one to understand. Ethiopian and government forces are the ones causing trouble in the country engaging in murder and looting. So to say separate yourselves from groups that are fighting in the country "He said.
Idris Hasan Farah said it is not clear whether Ethiopian troops will withdraw when UN peacekeepers are deployed in the country because the number of troops required to maintain peace in the country have not been specified and was only vaguely stated that peace keepers will be deployed.
He added even if 10,000 troops are deployed the Somali government can claim they are not enough to maintain peace where as if 500 troops are deployed, the opposition can claim they are enough for peacekeeping.
Since the signing of the 11 point agreement between government and opposition in Djibouti, the civil society groups have expressed mixed reactions about ways the 11 points can be implemented in order to find a solution to the country's political deadlock.
Some members of the armed groups fighting in Mogadishu termed the agreement as one favouring Ethiopian government and not at all beneficial to groups involved in the struggle where as the opposition members who signed the agreement said it was a major achievement because Ethiopian troops will withdraw within a period of four months.
The agreement articles signed in Djibouti are as follows.
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent and the most Merciful
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE TRANSITIONAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA (TFG)
And
THE ALLIANCE FOR THE RE-LIBERATION OF SOMALIA (ARS)
1.The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and the Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) attending a meeting from 31 May to 9 June 2008 in Djibouti, facilitated by the UN. They are hereafter referred to as "the Parties".
2. The Parties gave their respective analyses of the 18 year old crisis and made proposals aimed at restoring trust, confidence and at ending the conflict. Their discussion led to the present Agreement.
3. The primary requirement of this Agreement is to: ensure the cessation of all armed confrontation and a political settlement for a durable peace; promote a peaceful environment; avoid a security vacuum; facilitate the protection of the population and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance and call for the convening of a reconstruction and development conference.
4. The Parties noted that:
a. Over the past eighteen years, Somalia has suffered massive human losses, insecurity and vast destruction of its physical infrastructure and other vital public investments. A whole generation of young people and adults has been sacrificed or denied education and development;
b. The human and humanitarian situation is continuously deteriorating. At the same time, the country's international image and standing have been seriously undermined;
c. This tragic situation, and the fact that eighteen years of war and conflict have brought neither durable peace nor stability and inspired by patriotic and religious examples of compromise.
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5. Decided to:
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