UAE facilitates Somali reconciliation declaration signing
The president of Somalia's
transitional federal government Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and the
president of the Republic of Somaliland Ahmed Mohamed Silaanyo have
signed a reconciliation declaration that paves the way for talks and
cooperation among Somali parties.
The declaration was signed
on the sidelines of an international counterpiracy conference in
Dubai in presence of the president of Galmudug Mohamed Ahmed Alin and
President of Puntland State of Somalia Abdul Rehman Mohammed
Mahamoud.
Facilitated by the UAE, the
"Dubai Declaration" today ends 21 years of breakup among
the Somali leaders.
A statement by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the role played by the UAE in
the reconciliation.
Minister
of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, in statements
following a meeting with the four Somali leaders, emphasized the
support of the UAE to the people of Somalia stressing that
reconciliation represents a good start
towards cooperation and coordination among Somali parties to organize
the internal affairs in their country, drive its prosperity and serve
the interest of Somali citizens.
"Singing this
declaration by the Somali leaders is proof to the unity of the people
of Somalia," the minister added stressing that the UAE and
Somalia are sisterly countries.
"Somalia has been
suffering for a long time from several challenges and it is time for
it to restore its position and for this kind of contacts to
positively reflect on the country and its citizens." For his
part, president of Somalia's transitional federal government Sheikh
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the Dubai Declaration serves as a framework
for talks among Somali parties to conclude more than twenty years of
breakup.
He thanked the UAE for
hosting the second international high-level, public private
counter-piracy conference which brought together all Somali parties.
"All parties seek
satisfactory solutions that could contribute to unifying all Somali
citizens", he said affirming that his government is prepared to
help all parties to the declaration to implement its provisions.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh
Ahmed also expressed hopes that Somalia would restore security and
stability to drive growth and prosperity and achieve dignified life
for its citizens.
