Somalia: International envoys attend security meeting in Mogadishu

23 Aug 23, 2011 - 1:23:53 AM

A joint security meeting was convened Monday in Somalia’s traditional capital of Mogadishu, marking the first such meeting in many years, Radio Garowe reports.

Somali PM Gas and Amb. Mahiga [right]

The Joint Security Committee in Mogadishu was attended by Prime Minister Gas, UN Special Envoy to Somalia Amb. Augustine Mahiga and African Union’s deputy special representative to Somalia, Mr. Wafulu Wmanyinyi.

Other participants included representatives from the Arab League, IGAD regional bloc, the European Union, and representatives from countries namely Norway, USA, UK, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.

It was the 9th meeting of the Joint Security Committee, which was established in 2008 under the terms of the Djibouti Agreement that led to the formation of the current Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, led by President Sheih Sharif Ahmed.

All the previous 8 meetings were held outside of Somalia and it marks the first time the committee held a meeting in Mogadishu.

Amb. Mahiga told reporters at a press conference in Mogadishu: “This meeting is the testament to the security progress in Somalia, especially Mogadishu where Al Shabaab group has been forced to retreat. The next meeting will be held two mother later.”

Prime Minister Gas said: “The TFG considers this meeting to be very important, as it is the first time it has been held inside Somalia. It is my hope that the following meeting will be held in Somalia as well.”

The Joint Security Committee is tasked with finding ways to develop and to strengthen security sector institutions in Somalia, particularly in Mogadishu.

Mogadishu has been ravaged by relentless warfare since the outbreak of the Somali civil war in 1991. Al Shabaab group has withdrawn its fighters from most of Mogadishu, but some remain in Daynile and Huriwa districts and have vowed to begin a wave of guerrilla attacks.

GAROWE ONLINE