Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) – “It is definitely good news to hear of the accords and reconciliation meetings, although there have been many in recent years and the war continues,” Agenzia Fides was told by Bishop Giorgio Bertin of Djibouti, Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu, in commenting on the cease-fire accord signed yesterday, June 9, in Djibouti between the transitional Somali government and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), based in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. Bishop Bertin explained that “the ARS is the main Somali opposition group that also includes members of the Islamic Courts, political figures like the former Speaker of Parliament, and representatives of various clans. You could say it is a blend of Somali clans, religions, and personalism. There are various components, some are considered more open to dialoguing than the so-called extremists.” The agreement was mediated by the United Nations, the Arab League, the African Union, the European Union, the United States of America, and Saudi Arabia.
The agreement calls for the cessation of armed confrontations within 30 days from the signing of this agreement throughout the national territory and will cover an initial period of 90 days after which it will be renewed. The signing parties also established that they will call on the United Nations to deploy an international stabilization force to within 120 days and a prosecution for all acts of armed violence in Somalia. In order to enforce the terms of the accord, the parties agree to allow free access to humanitarian aid organizations in providing assistance to the fatigued population and to refrain from declarations and actions the contradict the spirit of peace contained in the agreement. They agreed to form a UN-chaired Joint Security Committee within 15 days of signing to oversee the truce implementation. Lastly, a High Level Committee will be formed within 15 days, under the guidance of the UN, to assure political cooperation of both sides and for the issue of justice and reconciliation. These matters will be discussed in a conference that will begin July 30, 2008.
The accord has been rejected by Sheick Hassan Dahir Aweis, a fundamentalist leader that is wanted by the United States for terrorist acts. Various analysts on the Somali question consider him to be a marginal figure, however Bishop Bertin affirms that, “in the Somali situation, the minor groups and leaders can cause problems. However, it seems that the commitment of the international community, of a country like Saudi Arabia for example, could be the decisive factor in the convincing the Somalis to place the extremists aside and work for peace in an effective manner.” The negotiations are scheduled to continue in a Saudi town, in Gedda or perhaps, Mecca. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 10/6/2008)
