Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
22 August 2008
The TFG and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, meeting in neighbouring Djibouti, also decided to cease making inflammatory statements and to take steps to ensure the agreement goes into effect.
The Djibouti Agreement, initialled by the sides in June, was brokered by Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, which, since Muhammad Siad Barre's regime was toppled in 1991, has not had a functioning national government and has been driven by factional fighting.
The UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), headed by Ould-Abdallah, said that participants also discussed how to make the agreement a reality.
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by representatives from the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), the League of Arab States and other groups.
In a related development, the Security Council today unanimously voted to extend by six months, the mandate of the AU-led mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which has been helping the country achieve national reconciliation and is facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Under Chapter VII of the UN Charter which allows for enforcement measures, the Council authorized the AU to set up the force to support dialogue and reconciliation by assisting with the free movement, safe passage and protection of all those involved with the process.
The Security Council urged AU member states to help AMISOM "facilitate the full withdrawal of other foreign forces from Somalia and help create the conditions for lasting peace and stability there."
The mission is also tasked with providing protection to the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) to help them carry out their functions of government, and security for key infrastructure.
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