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Ethiopia, Uganda call on int'l community to deploy African peacekeeping mission
in Somalia

The Ethiopian Herald (Addis Ababa)
NEWS
January 6, 2007
Posted to the web January 6, 2007

By Getachew Dibaba
Addis Ababa
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Ugandan President Yoweri Musevini have called
upon the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union
and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for an immediate deployment of
the African Peace Mission based on the UNSC Resolution 1725 (2006).
In a joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of President Musevini's two-day
working visit to Ethiopia yesterday, the two leaders also urged the
international community to come forward to help Somalia and the Transitional
Government of Somalia (TFG) to consolidate the already achieved peace and
stability and to strengthen these achievements through tangible political,
economic, financial, technical, and logistical as well as humanitarian support.
"President Musevini reaffirmed his country's commitment to contribute to the
stabilization of Somalia so that the gains should not be squandered and he
emphasized the need for more concreted action in that regard," the communiqué
said.
The two leaders called on all Somalis to rise up to the challenge and use the
new opportunity to reconcile their differences and to work towards the
reconstruction of their country, the communiqué said.
In his address to resident diplomats at the African Union Hall before the
conclusion of his visit yesterday, President Musevini also recognized
Ethiopia's measures against the extremists in Somalia as an appropriate action
taken in self-defence.
He said the Islamist groups in Somalia posed threat to Ethiopian security.
"These elements (the Union of Islamic Courts) contained anti-Ethiopian
elements," he said. "Ethiopia acted in self-defence and created favourable
condition which we should take advantage of it."
President Musevini, however, expressed disappointment over the delayed response
of international community particularly the United Nations Security Council to
pass a resolution for the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Somalia.
Recalling the peace talks brokered by IGAD and the agreement known as "Formula
Four and Half" which is designed to accommodate various clans of Somalia in the
political process of the country, Musevini said the delay has obstructed
African nations' intervention in Somalia.
"In January 2005 in Abuja, we wanted to move fast to support the Transitional
Government of Somalia but the international community stopped us," said
Musevini who decided to deploy troops to Somalia.
Musevini called on the international community to provide relief to the
country. He also stressed political agreement among clans to ensure
inclusiveness in the political process of Somalia.
On departure for home at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Museveni
was seen off by Prime Minister Meles and other senior government officials,
Chairperson of the Commission of the AU Prof. Alpha Ounar Konarie, as well as
resident diplomats.


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