Addis Ababa, 30 August 2013 (WIC) – The talks between representatives of the Somali Federal Government and Juba Interim Administration finally concluded on August 27.
The two sides formally signed an agreement on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of Tedros Adhanon, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, also Chair of the IGAD Council of Ministers.
Mr Mahboub Maalim, Executive Secretary of IGAD, Mrs Aisha Abdullahi, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Mr Nicholas Kay, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Somalia, representatives of the European Union, the IGAD Partners Forum were in attendance.
Their presence underlined the support for the talks from all of Somalia’s neighbors, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the international community.
Farah Abdulkadir, State Minister of the Presidency signed on behalf of the Somali Federal Government and Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madobe” signed for the Juba Interim Administration.
Sheikh Madobe described the agreement as important in establishing the basis for a robust federal structure in Somalia and emphasized that they would now be able to cooperate against the real enemy, Al-Shabaab.
All speakers expressed appreciation to Ethiopia and Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros Adhanom unreserved efforts in helping the two sides reach the agreement which came after long negotiations.
The original round of talks in June in Addis Ababa was followed by this second round which started on August 20.
Dr. Tedros emphasized that both sides had from the outset shown serious interest above and beyond factional interest to reach the agreement which will bring to an end months of standoff and political dispute over the future of Jubaland and of Kismayo.