IGAD warns Somali warlord over military build-up

[Gabbal]

IGAD warns Somali warlord over military build-up

 

Nairobi, Kenya, 09/04 - The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has threatened to slap heavy sanctions against Somali warlord General Mohammed Hersi, who is advancing troops to the port town of Kismayu in an attempt to derail ongoing peace efforts in the war-ravaged nation.

 

Kenyan Regional Cooperation Minister John Koech said IGAD has learnt of an apparent plot by the warlord, popularly known as General `Morgan` to disrupt the outcome of the Nairobi peace talks currently in their final stages.

 

General Morgan, who is also in a United Nations Security Council secrete watch-list over his role in the violation of the Somali arms ban, is facing sanctions which will bar him from travelling to any foreign country.

 

The IGAD Facilitating Committee, the top organ mediating the peace talks, said it would also take "very stern action" including sanctions banning him and his associates from travelling to neighbouring states for his anti-peace activities.

 

"The peace process has made tremendous progress towards the formation of an all-inclusive government, in deed, the dawn of a new era of peace, tranquillity and development is clearly evident," said Koech in a statement issued here Friday.

 

Koech, who is also the Chairman of the IGAD Facilitating Committee, condemned General Morgan`s activities, saying the "blatant act of aggression at this time when Somalia is on the threshold of peace is unacceptable."

 

General Morgan walked out of the peace process in March this year after the completion of the second phase of the talks where the over 300 delegates representing key political groups, leaders, warlords and clan elders discussed the details of a Somali National Transitional Charter, which contains details of the 275- member Parliament.

 

The warlord moved out ostensibly to consult with his clansmen, sparking off fears of an imminent return to clan war. This prompted Kenya`s Special Envoy to the Somali peace talks Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat to seek the help of UN Security in stopping another bloodbath.

 

Kiplagat, in a letter dated 16 March, asked the UN Security Council to probe fresh violations of the 1992 arms ban to Somalia after a meeting between the international mediators and observers in Nairobi.

 

Meanwhile, IGAD has extended an olive branch to the warlord and asked other Somali factions to distance themselves from "his blatant acts of aggression", saying his activities will have absolutely no impact on the positive outcome of the peace talks.