(Djibouti, Aug 18,  2008 Ceegaag Online)

1.         The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) held the first meetings of the High Level Committee and the Joint Security Committee in Djibouti from 16 to 18 August 2008. The international community, including diplomats from regional organizations (African Union, European Union, League of Arab States) and individual countries, as well as representatives of Somali civil society and business community, attended as observers.

 2.         They adopted the Terms of Reference for both Committees and discussed practical means of implementing the Djibouti Agreement.

 3.         The Parties agreed to continue the political dialogue between themselves and refrain from making inflammatory statements. They reaffirmed their commitment to cease all armed confrontation and to establish sub committees to implement the arrangements to that end.

 4.         They  welcomed all efforts undertaken by Somali nationals, including through supportive meetings inside and outside Somalia, as well as those of the international community to help implement the Djibouti Agreement.

 5.         The Parties strongly condemn the perpetrators as well as those who mastermind and fund violence which targets innocent people, including killings, indiscriminate shelling, looting, raping and acts of piracy.

 6.         The TFG and the ARS are very concerned by the seriousness of the humanitarian situation in the country and the continued suffering of their compatriots. The Parties agree on the critical need to address this situation in all its dimensions – political, security and access. They call on the international community to urgently provide humanitarian assistance to the needy people of Somalia. In this connection, the Parties reaffirmed their strong determination to help ensure unhindered humanitarian access and assistance.

 7.         The Parties call on the international community to provide full support for the High Level Committee and the Joint Security Committee, particularly in their work in establishing a national mechanism for humanitarian access and assistance.

 8.         The Parties call on the United Nations Security Council to accelerate the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force to facilitate the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces from Somalia.

 9.         The Parties would like to reassure the Somali population that they are determined to strengthen their commitment for peace, stability, unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and dignity in Somalia.

10.       The Parties thank the Government and people of Djibouti for their hospitality during the meetings of the High Level Committee and the Joint Security Committee.

11.       The parties also express their appreciation to the international community for its generous support and invite it to remain supportive of the Djibouti Agreement, formally signed on 18 August 2008, to help start its effective implementation.

 Djibouti

18 August 2008

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