erselam Posted October 5, 2006 President Isaias stresses need for comprehensive initiative to solve Somali problem By Staff Oct 4, 2006, 17:57 Asmara, 4 October 2006 – President Isaias Afwerki said that any initiative to resolve the Somali problem should be comprehensive and that the people of Somalia need an honest mediator that would help them to resolve their problems themselves. He made the remarks when he met and held discussions today with the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on the Somali issue, Ambassador Francois Lonseny Fall. President Isaias pointed out that Sudan as member of IGAD, the Arab League and the African Union and one that is concerned with the issue and a state with no direct interest, it can play a significant role in efforts being made to resolve the Somali problem. Moreover, he noted that the 3rd round of peace dialogue scheduled to be held in Sudan between the Transitional Government of Somalia and the Union of Islamic Courts could make due contribution in the peace process. Stating that Somalia is now in a better situation compared to the past 15 years, the President noted that the international community should recognize that the efforts the Somali people are making to resolve their problems themselves. He further explained that there exists no ground for terrorism and the existence of terrorist or fundamentalist groups in Somalia. The UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on the Somali issue indicated that the organization’s stance regarding the Somali issue is that no military force should be deployed to that country which would disrupt the prevailing relative security in Somalia. Ambassador Francois Lonseny went on to explain that no UN peacekeeping force should be deployed to Somalia. He added that the UN not only advocates a comprehensive solution to the Somali problem but would also work to this end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
