Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
8 November 2008
Mogadishu — The Arab countries representatives based in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa have welcomed the agreement reached by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and the opposition Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), at the peace and security negotiations that ended in Djibouti.
In a statement Friday, they said the "agreement marks a significant step in the effort aimed at promoting an all-inclusive political process and bringing about lasting peace and stability" in the Horn of Africa country.
The inter-Somali talks, held under the auspices of the United Nations with the support of the AU, regional organisations and international partners, aimed at striking a comprehensive and lasting settlement through the country's Transitional Federal Charter.
According to the representatives, the agreement would build on the achievement made during the peace deal of Djibouti and subsequent efforts by the Somali stakeholders.
"The Arab countries hail the sense of responsibility and the spirit of compromise demonstrated by the two parties, and strongly urges all other relevant Somali actors to join this process and commit themselves to the peaceful and negotiated settlement of the conflict in their country.
The accord was signed at UN-sponsored talks in Djibouti, she added.
However, some Islamists have refused to accept the accord until Ethiopian forces withdraw from the country.
The government and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) -- an opposition umbrella group dominated by Islamists and based in the Eritrean capital of Asmara -- reached a ceasefire deal on June 9, but implementation was delayed as conflict flared across the Horn of Africa nation as the ARS devided on that pact causing to be two wings.
A string of previous peace initiatives and truce deals have failed to stabilise the country, which has been plagued by an uninterrupted civil war since the 1991 overthrow of president Mohamed Siad Barre.
Ethiopian forces have been in Somalia since they deployed alongside beleaguered Somali government troops in 2006 and succeeded in ousting Islamists from south and central Somalia where they had imposed Sharia law.
Islamists insurgents have waged a guerrilla war since then, which according to international rights groups and aid agencies has left thousands of civilians dead and displaced hundreds of thousands, mainly in the capital Mogadishu.
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