AU and ARS Press Rlease

PRESS RELEASE

by

The African Union Commission

and

The Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia

1. advertisements
   
   The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) held a meeting in Nairobi on the 2nd – 3^rd September 2008. This was a consultative meeting aimed at advancing the dialogue for a lasting peace for Somalia. The discussions were conducted in a frank, candid and constructive atmosphere.
   
2. The meeting was co-chaired by H.E Mr. E. Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission and H. E Mr. Sheikh Sherif Sheikh Ahmed, the Chairman of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia.
   
3. The two delegations reviewed the political, security and humanitarian situation prevailing in Somalia. The parties placed emphasis on the recent agreement signed in Djibouti by the TFG and ARS under the auspices of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) of the United Nations, as well as the setting up of the two joint committees responsible for the implementation of that agreement.
   
4. The Parties agreed to establish regular consultation mechanism in order to advance the implementation of the Peace Process, and to work together towards alleviating the suffering of the Somali people.
   
5. The two delegations reviewed the urgent needs for a capacity building through structured training of Somalis drawn from all the sectors of the society.
   
6. The African Union and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia expressed their concern on the serious humanitarian situation in the country and the continued suffering of the Somali people, particularly the Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs). The parties agreed, working with the TFG and within the framework of the Djibouti Agreement, to address the situation in all its dimensions – political, security and humanitarian access.
   
7. The parties call on the international community including the United Nations and its agencies, Multilaterals, Bilaterals and International NGOs to provide full support to the efforts undertaken by the African Union, TFG and ARS to ensure the full implementation of the Djibouti Agreement including the unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to the affected populations.
   
8. The ARS delegation underlined the pivotal role expected of the African Union in facilitating the withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces in a well coordinated approach as well as promoting good neighborly relations and lasting peace between Somalia and its neighboring countries.

Nairobi, Kenya

3 September, 2008