Makadishu: massive demonstrations in support of the Somali unity
Somalia, Politics, 11/2/2002

Makadishu has witnessed a large demonstrations in support of the unity of the Somali territories.

In a speech he delivered in front of the demonstrators who gathered in the al-Hurreyah ( freedom) square in Makadishu, the Somali President Abdul Qasem Salad Hassan reiterated the need that "the land of Somalia's" importance in participating in Oldrit peace conference, and permiting the representatives of the northern districts to take part if the administration ruling in Herjesia which abstains from attending this conference.

The Somali President expressed his government's rejection to all attempts aiming at undermining the unity of Somalia. He commended the efforts made by the USA, the European Union, the Arab League and IGAD ( the East African states) in providing a success for the first phase of the march of completing the national reconciliation process. He considered the agreement concluded by the participating delegations as a step forward and stressed that his government had demanded IGAD to exert its efforts to complete the reconciliation process.

Worthy mentioning that the absence of "the land of Somalia " from the Aldorit conference for peace raised the concern of the provisional government chaired by Abdul Qasem and fears that this will avail the way for the separation of the "land of Somalia " from other Somali districts.

Two days earlier. Somalia's prime minister Hassan Abshar accused the British government that it seeks to partition Somalia.

Meantime, the UN secretary general Kofi Annan has welcomed the peace agreement signed by the warring factions in Somalia, providing for forming a new government following ten years of war.

A statement said that the UN secretary general welcomes the signing of declaring the halting of offensive operations and initially to start "a national reconciliation process in Somalia." Annan also called on the Somali sides to implement all made obligations and to move to the second phase of the reconciliation process, firmly and "with a good spirit for reconciliation."

The statement indicated that the UN chief is still concerned over the continued fighting and the loss of security in certain areas in Somalia, calling for immediate halting of all fighting.

The representatives of 20 Somali groups and the Somali provisional government had signed a cease fire agreement on October 27.

Previous Stories:
  A cease fire agreement in Somalia   (10/28/2002)
  Somali reconciliation conference opened   (10/16/2002)
  Somali peace negotiations postponed to October 15   (9/11/2002)

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