Somalia: Diplomats condemn violence in Somalia

(SomaliNet) According to a communique by the International Contact Group (ICG), Western and African diplomats have condemned the ongoing violence in Somalia and urged the parties to stick to the recently-signed peace agreement between Somalia\'s interim government and rivals.

ICG which held its first meeting in Djibouti under the chairmanship of the UN top envoy for Somalia on Tuesday, urged the parties to the Djibouti Agreement to agree on concrete measures for the cessation of armed confrontation to allow a timely withdrawal of Ethiopian forces and the deployment of the stabilization force requested in the Djibouti Agreement.

Media reports said members of the ICG Contact Group meeting, which includes the United States, European nations, the United Nations and the Arab League, said they were ready to support politically and financially the implementation of agreements reached at the meetings of the Committees.

\"The ICG urges the transitional federal institutions to fully implement the Federal Charter requirements within the context of the Djibouti Agreement, including developing the constitution and setting up local administrations,\" the statement said.

\"The ICG renewed its commitment to supporting the rule of law and security as well as the institutions,\" read the communique from the UN Political Office for Somalia.

The Tuesday meeting discussed the situation in Somalia and also focused on ways to help implement the Djibouti Agreement signed between the interim government and the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia on August 19.

The ICG welcomed the signing of the Djibouti Agreement and the establishment of the High Level and Joint Security Committees.

It expressed continued supports for the political cooperation between the two parties, including addressing issues of justice and reconciliation, impunity and the discussion on the political future of the two parties, along with the implementation of concrete measures enhancing confidence between them.

\"ICG members urge the Parties to work through the Committees to urgently agree on plans and mechanisms to support the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance in consultation with humanitarian partners.\"

The group also expressed concerns over the growing number of incidents of piracy directly threatening international maritime activities and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

It called for the urgent implementation of measures to fight this scourge in line with Resolutions 1814 and 1816 and relevant international law principles.

\"The ICG welcomes the supports provided by countries escorting World Food Programme shipments to Somalia and calls on other countries to ensure the continuity of this critical operation,\" it said.

The ICG was encouraged by the political cooperation between the transitional government and ARS and called on all Somalis, at home and abroad, to fully support the Djibouti Agreement.

\"ICG members express their determination to support the consolidation of this cooperation. They further urge all parties to join the political process to quickly restore peace and stability to Somalia,\" it said. –Xinhua