Somalia: Annan welcomes signing of declaration on cessation of hostilities

The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, today hailed the signing of an accord outlining a future course towards peace in Somalia, and urged the warring factions there to lay down their arms.

The Declaration on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Structures and Principles of the Somalia National Reconciliation Process was endorsed at the Somali National Reconciliation Conference in Eldoret, Kenya, under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Through a statement issued by his spokesman, the Secretary-General urged the Somali parties to abide fully by their commitments and to move into the next phase of the reconciliation process “with determination and a true spirit of reconciliation.”

Voicing concern about continued violence and insecurity in parts of Somalia, the statement called for an immediate end to all fighting, pointing out that the clashes not only undermine the reconciliation process, but also impede the provision of humanitarian and development assistance in the country.

The Secretary-General commended Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi and his Government as well as the IGAD countries – Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti – for their efforts in support of national reconciliation in Somalia. “He reiterates the continued support of the United Nations to the IGAD effort on Somalia,” the spokesman said.