Hiiraan Online

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Mr. Jean Ping, is following with concern the evolution of the situation in Somalia, in particular the announcement today, 14 December 2008, by the President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, Mr. Abdullahi Yusuf, of his decision to dismiss Prime Minister Hassan Hussein Nur ‘Adde’. 
 
The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that this announcement will further complicate the situation and deepen the rift within the TFG, and has the potential of undermining the sustained efforts being made by the AU, IGAD and the larger international community, including the United Nations, to further reconciliation, peace, and stability in Somalia. 
 
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates AU’s support to the decisions taken by IGAD at its meetings held in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, on 29 October and 18 November 2008, respectively, calls on the Somali leaders to implement these decisions fully and without any further delay, and urges them to overcome the internecine divisions that are consuming their energy, in order to meet the daunting challenges confronting their country.
 
Addis Ababa, 14 December 2008