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KENYAS’S PRESIDENT URGES ETHIOPIA, ERITREA TO RESOLVE BORDER CONFLICT. March 21, 2006
Apunyu Bonny
Kenya’s president, Mwai Kibaki has called on Ethiopia and Eritrea use dialogue as means to resolve the tension along their common border. The Satandard reported Sunday.
(SomaliNet) President Kibaki while addressing the 11th Summit of Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Heads of State and Government at the Grand Regency Hotel in Nairobi, urged both Ethiopia and Eritrea to exercise restraint and adhere to the December 2000 Algiers Peace Agreement and the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
"We strongly believe that there is a window of opportunity to resolve the simmering tensions amicably," he said.
Kibaki drew attention to the importance of peace and stability in the realisation of effective regional integration and economic development. IGAD is credited with the successful conclusion of peace initiatives in Southern Sudan and Somalia.
Meanwhile, Kibaki appealed to the people of Somalia to support the ongoing reconciliation process and national dialogue if the country is to realise lasting peace.
IGAD was also pivotal in the implementation of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which led to the formation of the Government of National Unity.
Kibaki said the post-conflict reconstruction efforts in The two countries demand the collective engagement of all partner states and the international community.
"I am hopeful that we may, at last, be on the threshold of achieving durable peace in this region. To facilitate this prospect, it is critical that all parties involved, including the international community, continue to play their respective roles in support of the consolidation of the gains we have made so far," Kibaki said.
IGAD member States were also called upon by Kibaki to come up with new strategies to address the development challenges facing the region. He said the threat from international terrorism, piracy along the Somali coastal waters and proliferation of illicit arms and light weapons should be addressed.
The Heads of State talks follow the IGAD ministerial conference, which started on Friday. Apart from Kenya, other members are Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somali, Sudan and Uganda.