[allAfrica.com] Somalia Warlords Sign Peace Pact The East African Standard (Nairobi) NEWS October 28, 2002 Posted to the web October 28, 2002 By William Faria And Barnabas Bii Nairobi The dawn of a new era broke for Somalia yesterday when key warlords signed a peace accord to end hostilities. They also agreed to implement fully the United Nations Arms embargo for Somalia and combat all forms of terrorism to co-operate with the international community. The leaders agreed by consensus to adopt two crucial documents in the first phase of the peace process, namely Declaration on Cessation of Hostilities and the Structures and Principles of the National Reconciliation Process. The accord which was signed at Hotel Sirikwa in Eldoret brought together top warring faction leaders who agreed to bring about a cease-fire, thus ending 11 years of civil war in Somalia. A ray of hope in bringing lasting peace to the war-torn Horn of Africa state was evident when the names of each of the 21 warlords were called upon to sign the peace process. In an affirmative voice, they collectively agreed for an immediate cease-fire and restoration of democracy in Somalia. The historic occasion saw the warlords embrace each other in jubilation, showing they were now prepared than ever before to end the conflict, which had driven the country into turmoil. A cross-section of the war-lords interviewed by the East African Standard, who included Hussein Aideed and General Mohammed Hersi Morgan thanked all those who initiated the peace talks, adding that a new Somalia had been born. They also agreed to form a federal system of government, embodied in a Charter or Constitution, which is inclusive, representative and acceptable by all the parties. The seven-page memorandum with six articles endorsed to undertake political negotiations and technical discussions in good faith and in a spirit of co- operation during each phase of the Somalia National Reconciliation process. Somalia is the only state in the world without a government in force as various warring factions have been fighting for leadership over the years. The Eldoret conference which is the 14th and final in the rounds of the peace talks will go down in history as one in which all the international bodies including Igad member states have desperately tried to restore peace in Somalia. The signing of accord was witnessed by Kenya's special envoy to Somalia who is also the chairman of the talks, Mr Elijah Mwangale and the executive secretary of Igad, Dr Atalla Al-Bashir. Somalia's diplomatic corps, representatives of United Nations, the European Union and other stake-holders also witnessed the endorsement of the peace accord. President Moi and other Igad Heads of States are expected to meet the warring factions at Eldoret State Lodge on Thursday, following the signing of the documents. A beaming Mwangale told a battery of local and international journalists that the signing of the accord was a landmark achievement not only to Somalia but the whole world. He noted that the past two weeks of the on-going talks had been hectic, mainly due to disputes among delegates on the constitution of the two crucial documents.   =============================================================================  Copyright © 2002 The East African Standard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). =============================================================================