Addis backs Arab League on attending Nairobi talks

Ethiopia on Monday backed the Arab League in its move to attend the forthcoming Somali peace talks. Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin expressed support for the League's wish to participate in the reconciliation conference, due to be held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. This transpired after Amr Musa, Secretary-General of the Arab League, called on Somali warlords to lay down their weapons and fight for peace during a one-day visit to Ethiopia. For more than 10 years Somalia has been ravaged by war, which has crippled the country. The warlords have refused to recognise the current Somali Transitional National Government (TNG). "The wellbeing and stability of the Horn of Africa is an important element in the stability and security of the rest of Africa and the Middle East, and the Arab world in particular," Musa told a press conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. He confirmed that the Arab League recognised the TNG, which Ethiopia does not. However, he added: "I would say first of all, we are not at odds with Ethiopia or working in opposite directions. My mission is to reach an understanding here in the Horn of Africa and here in Addis Ababa on the future cooperation and understanding, and not to be at odds." Musa said the Arab League "recognises the role" Ethiopia was performing on the future of Somalia through the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). "We also recognise the role of neighbouring countries - Ethiopia, Djibouti Kenya and others," he added. "There are a lot of interests, and they are not supposed to be contradicting interests. There could be always interests in stability, peace and security and a clear future for the Somali people to restore their state as a sovereign, peaceful country that needs to rebuild after the destruction of the last decade," Musa said. He said it was vital to work together, "since we are all in the same boat", and that benefits would accrue to all the countries cooperating in this context. "We have got to be serious when we deal with the question of Somalia, and I call upon all those warlords to be serious and patriotic about their country," Musa said. "They have to rebuild it and cooperate with all of us in the rebuilding of Somalia, introducing stability and security." He dismissed reports that the Arab League had adopted a resolution under which it agreed to investigate whether Ethiopia was supplying weapons to Somali factions. "I was amazed that such talk was mentioned, and I failed to find this resolution. It does not exist," he said. "We believe, in the Arab League, that the understanding and cooperation with Ethiopia is important." A statement released by the Ethiopian foreign ministry after the press conference said both sides were willing to work together to restore peace in Somalia. "Both sides also agreed to act together in the areas of mutual interest, and the Ethiopian side supported the request of the League of Arab States to participate in the Nairobi national reconciliation conference on Somalia, spearheaded by IGAD along with the OAU, the UN and other international organisations," it added.