IGAD ministers of frontline states condemn violations of declaration on cessation of hostilities

Addis Ababa, Feb. 3(ENA)--The foreign ministers of the frontline states of Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya on Sunday received a detailed report on violations of the declaration on cessation of hostilities signed by all Somali parties in October in Eldoret, Kenya.

According to a statement issued on Monday, the ministers alarmed by the resumption and escalation of violence in Somalia strongly condemn the violations of the declaration on cessation of hostilities.

"These violations are causing great suffering and loss of life to the people of Somalia as well as jeopardizing the peace process and undermining humanitarian assistance," it said.

The ministers called upon all parties to strictly abide by the spirit and letter of the declaration.

The ministers reiterated their stand that appropriate sanction would be taken against all individuals and groups violating the declaration.

In this regard, „ the ministers draw the attention of the United Nations, the African Union, the League of Arab states, the European Union, all other partners of IGAD and the rest of the international community to the urgent need of responding to these violations."

The ministers decided to establish a committee, with immediate effect, entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the implication of the declaration and taking appropriate action.

According to a communiqué issued by the IGAD ministers of the frontline states on Somalia, the international community should live up to its commitment to the peace process and not to entertain initiatives that would allow what they described as "forum shopping" and thus delay and derail the on–going process.

(END)