Ethiopia to bolster its support to Somali government
July 25, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Ethiopian ambassador to Somalia has said that his country would further strengthen its support to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.
Ambassador Abdulaziz Ahmad said Ethiopia’s support to Somalia is only done in line with the agreements reached by IGAD and AU member countries.
The Ethiopian ambassador to Somalia, Abduilaziz Ahmad, in a statement to the Ethiopian TV, said that Ethiopia and Somalia as neighbouring countries would be very much concerned with any anti-peace activities in the region. He said the recently formed transitional government in Somalia was expected to play a big role in brining about peace and stability in region.
However, he said the efforts made by the fundamentalist group, which infiltrated in the country under the cover of the Unity of Islamic Courts, to destabilise the Somali people’s peace has no acceptance by any one. He said the transitional government formed in Somalia is legal, recognized by the international community and had been receiving all the necessary support from the UN and IGAD member countries.
He said Ethiopia and Somalia are not only neighbours but have also blood relations. Hence, he said it should not be surprising if Ethiopia plays an active role in Somalia. He said all the support given to the transitional government is only done in line with the agreements reached by AU and IGAD member countries.
Abdulaziz said since any activity that endangers the transitional government is also a threat to the region, Ethiopia is closely monitoring the situation in Somalia. If peace and stability prevails in Somalia the people of Somalia are the first to benefit from. He said it should be evident to all that Ethiopia has no any hidden agenda than trying to implement this dream.
The ambassador has urged those forces, who try to exploit the prevailing instability in Somalia to destabilise the prevailing peace in Ethiopia, to stop from their activities.
(ST)