Saturday 26 November 2011

IGAD member states call upon Ethiopia to back anti-Al Shabaab operation in Somalia

Addis Ababa, November 26 (WIC) - Member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have called upon the Ethiopian government to support the Kenyan-TFG and AMISOM operation against Al Shabaab.

The member states made the call on Friday on the 19th Extraordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa.

In a communiqué issued following a closed session, the Summit commended the joint security operation by Kenyan Defense Force (KDF) and TFG forces in pursuit of Al Shabaab in south and central Somalia.

The Summit emphasized the need for regional solidarity and enhanced coordination among AMISOM, TFG and KDF in order to successfully defeat Al Shabaab.

It also called upon Kenya to consider the prospects of integrating its forces to AMISOM to consolidate security and stability in Somalia.

The Heads of State and Government urged the TFG to take advantage of the areas freed from Al Shabaab to foster security, enhance national reconciliation and consolidate political and administrative control in the country.

They also stressed the need to promote inclusive political participation in line with the Djibouti Peace Process, the Kampala Accord and the Road Map.

The Summit asked the UN Security Council (UNSC) to enhance the mandate of AMISOM and strengthen it to a level and size that is appropriate for the consolidation of peace in Somalia.

It also reiterated its previous calls on the UNSC to adopt a resolution that enforces measures to control access to ports and airspace held by Al Shabaab to cut off arms supplies.

The Summit condemned the government of Eritrea for its continuing supply of ammunitions to Al Shabaab whose intention has always been to destabilize the region.

The Summit welcomed the Republic of South Sudan as the new full member state of IGAD. 

It also strongly urged the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to urgently resume negotiations and expedite implementation of the outstanding issues of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. (ERTA)

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