| New Somali leader, Ethiopia agree to peace push |
| Tuesday, 03 February 2009 | |
| Somalia's new President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and his neighbours in the Horn of Africa agreed Monday to work together for peace, in a remarkable political change for the region. A statement issued after a meeting in the Ethiopian capital marked a turnaround in regional affairs, two years after Ethiopia invaded Somalia to drive out Sheikh Sharif. When Ethiopia, a US ally, sent in its troops in late 2006, their main target was Sheikh Sharif's forces, which were then seen as extremists who had gained control of most of the country. After two years of deadly guerilla war, Ethiopia withdrew just one week ago having made little real progress, while new radical groups emerged and made Sheikh Sharif appear like a moderate. He was elected president by a parliamentary vote on Friday, in a move welcomed by the region as well as the United States as a step towards bringing stability to a country without an effective central government since 1991. Sheikh Sharif met with leaders of five other nations in the Horn on the sidelines of the African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital, where the young cleric was welcomed with rousing applause. After meeting with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which groups six nations in the Horn including Ethiopia and Somalia, the leaders released a statement vowing to work together to solve Somalia's security problems. Sheikh Sharif said in the statement that his priorities included "developing peaceful and friendly relations with the neighbouring countries based on international law and AU principles." The six countries agreed to "keep close liaison with the government of Somalia... and continue to render it the necessary political support as the latter continues its endeavour for peace and national reconciliation." They also called on the international community to provide training to Somali forces and humanitarian aid for the people. Although Sheikh Sharif briefly controlled large parts of the country before the Ethiopian invasion, his government now has little power outside the capital Mogadishu. AFP http://samotalis.blogspot.com/
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