Somalia - TFG and ARS Agree to Unity Government

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DJIBOUTI 000840 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SO ET SUBJECT: Somalia - TFG and ARS Agree to Unity Government and End to Armed Confrontation REF: Djibouti 839 ¶1. Summary: On October 26, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) signed a joint declaration to establish a Somalia Unity Government (text in para 8) and modalities to implement a cessation of armed confrontation (text in para 9). Although the Joint Security Committee had significant difficulty reaching agreement, the TFG and the ARS were impelled to produce concrete results in advance of the upcoming summit of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The agreement and declaration were hailed by representatives of the international community and Somalis present as steps that should give renewed momentum to a reconciliation process that has been short of accomplishments on the ground. Implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement will require constructive TFG - ARS cooperation, as well as flexibility from the Government of Ethiopia. End summary. -------------- Signed Agreements in Djibouti Process -------------- ¶2. A weekend of negotiations managed by the UN Political Office for Somalia produced an eleventh-hour signed declaration to establish a Somalia Unity Government and a cessation of armed confrontation agreement by representatives of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS). UN SRSG for Somalia Ould-Abdallah and members of his office chaired marathon sessions October 25 - 26 with TFG and ARS members of the High-Level Political Committee and Joint Security Committee in reaching agreement on the two texts in time for a mid-afternoon October 26 signing and press conference. ¶3. Immediately after the signing, country and organization representatives present offered their congratulations to the TFG, ARS, and the SRSG. S/E Yates told those present that the agreement represented commitment by the leaders of the TFG and ARF, and was an important milestone in the Djibouti Process. He said "The parties have sent a strong message to the spoilers who are preventing the delivery of humanitarian assistance destined to Somalis who are suffering." The Special Envoy continued, "I feel sure that the Somali people will look to the courageous leaders who have signed here today as genuine leaders and not to those contemptible elements who want to prolong and worsen their suffering." Also commenting were representatives of the OIC, AU, the Arab League, the EC, and ambassadors or designated representatives of France, Italy, Libya, Egypt, and Djibouti. -------------- TFG and ARS Leaders Promote Unity -------------- ¶4. ARS Chairman Sheikh Sharif spoke after the international representatives and extended sincere thanks to the SRSG and all those who have supported the Djibouti Process. He said that "we accepted to end all hostilities and though we cannot get all we want in one day, we will not derail this." Though he had done so in a private meeting with us (reftel),Sheikh Sharif this time publicly condemned all "spoilers," including "anyone who interferes with humanitarian assistance, pirates, those who print fake currency, and criminals who are standing in the way of bringing back dignity to Somalia." ¶5. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information, Youth and Sports Ahmed Abdisalam Adan said, "With this agreement, Somalis have made an important achievement - we have chosen to solve our differences through dialogue, not violence." He spoke of all parties accepting their responsibility to all Somalis and as a testament to their support for the Djibouti Process. Minister Abdisalam also extended a salute to all Somali women, calling ARS representative Asha Hagi Elmi, who recently won an international award for her work to advance the cause of Somali women. He called her "a model for peace and justice in Somalia." -------------- Concrete Deliverables -------------- ¶6. Comment. The cessation of hostilities agreement, which had been partially negotiated at the September 17 - 19 DJIBOUTI 00000840 002 OF 003 Djibouti Process meeting, in the end proved the most difficult on which to find common ground, with ARS representatives as late as October 26 morning, arguing that some of the language would have to be approved by commanders in the field before they could sign. Implementation of the terms of the cease-fire agreement will likely be difficult, as it will meet active resistance from some quarters in Somalia, and will require coordination with the UN, the international community, and the GOE, in addition to the active cooperation of the TFG and the ARS. ¶7. The Declaration and the Agreement equip the TFG and the ARS with "deliverables" that should reduce GOE impatience with the reconciliation process at the October 27 - 29 IGAD Summit. The margins of IGAD can now be used to focus the new unity government on implementing the cessation of hostilities undertaking, and quickly beginning the process of forming a unity government. End comment. -------------- Agreement text -------------- ¶8. Begin text of declaration to form Unity Government: Joint Declaration Between The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia And The Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia In conformity with Article 9 of the Djibouti Agreement, the Transitional Federal Government and Alliance for the Re- Liberation of Somalia reaffirm once more their commitment to reconciliation and political cooperation. In this context the two Parties thank the Somali people for their support and request them to remain determined in their desire for lasting peace. The Parties also thank the international community for its continued and valuable support for the Djibouti Agreement. The Parties welcome the assistance of the international community and the leadership of the United Nations for the early establishment of a Somali Unity Government. This Government, open to all Somali nationals and based on partnership and respect, with an inclusive parliament, should address as a priority, political cooperation and joint responsibility for assuring security. [signed] Transitional Federal Government Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia Djibouti 26October 2008 End text. -------------- Cessation of hostilities text -------------- ¶9. Begin text to end armed confrontation: Modalities for the Implementation of the Cessation of Armed Confrontation 26 OCTOBER 2008 PREAMBLE: Pursuant to the 19 August 2008 Djibouti Agreement; effective 26 October 2008, the parties, TFG and ARS, have decided: ¶I. CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AND RAISING OF AWARENESS ¶1. To stop waging hostile campaign against each other by using the media both in the country and abroad. ¶2. To call on supporters of the two parties and the Somali population to adhere and support this cessation of armed confrontation for the interest of Somalia. II. CEASEFIRE ¶3. Effective 26 October 2008, ceasefire observance has been announced. It will become effective 5 November 2008. ¶4. Initial troops to restore peace and security in DJIBOUTI 00000840 003 OF 003 Mogadishu and other areas will be ready within a period of 45 days, renewable, starting 10 November 2008. III. RELOCATION OF ETHIOPIAN TROOPS ¶5. Starting 21 November 2008, the Ethiopian troops will relocate from areas of the cities of Beledweyn and Mogadishu such as Towfiq, Mogadishu Stadium, pasta factory, Heyle Barise and Headquarters of the Ministry of Defense. ¶6. To avoid a security vacuum in the areas vacated by Ethiopian Forces, security will initially be the responsibility of AMISOM troops with the assistance of TFG and ARS security forces, until the deployment of UN Forces. ¶7. The second phase of Ethiopian troop withdrawal should be completed within 120 days in accordance with the 19 August 2008 Djibouti Agreement. IV. RESPONSIBILITIES ¶8. In the first phase, the TFG and ARS shall prepare a police force of 10,000 t maintain peace and security in Mogadishu and other regions. UNPOS is requested to cover the financial needs of the force starting 5 November 2008. ¶9. Effective 10 November 2008, plus 15 days, the Joint Security Committee and its Subcommittees shall operate from Somalia to implement the general ceasefire. ¶10. The Joint Security Committee shall operate to protect humanitarian assistance and access. ¶11. The military technical details of these modalities will be developed within a period of 10 days from the signing of this agreement. [signed] Transitional Federal Government Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia Witnessed by United Nations African Union End text. WONG