Annan welcomes ‘positive step forward’ resulting from Somalia peace talks

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the results of talks on Somalia held in Khartoum over the weekend, calling the outcome a positive step forward in reconciling the positions of the Transitional Federal Institutions and the Union of the Islamic Courts, which agreed to form a unified army in the troubled country.

“The Secretary-General commends the parties for having taken this positive step forward in efforts to resolve their differences through dialogue and consultations, with a view to achieving lasting peace and stability in Somalia,” a spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement.

“He encourages the parties to implement what has been agreed upon thus far, and to do everything possible to ensure a conducive environment for the next round of talks, which will take up crucial political, power-sharing and security issues,” the spokesman added.

The Islamic Courts took over the capital, Mogadishu, in June. Somalia has not had a functioning national government since President Muhammad Siad Barre’s regime was toppled in 1991.

The accord, signed by representatives of both sides, commits them to honour previous agreements and to reconstitute the Somali national army and the national police force and work towards reintegration of the forces of the Islamic Courts, the Transitional Federal Government and other armed militias in the country.

Other provisions oblige the two sides refrain from helping, rearming and encouraging warlords and to meet again in Khartoum on 30 October.