www.chinaview.cn 2004-11-06 06:07:18
KAMPALA, Nov. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Uganda and Somalia have reiterated their commitment to consolidating and broadening the bilateral relations between the two countries for the mutual benefit of their peoples.
In a joint communique read Friday afternoon at a joint press conference after talks between Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and visiting Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf, the two presidents commended the key role played by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in addressing the problems affecting the region, especially the tangible support to the Somali and the Sudanese peace process.
Regarding terrorism, the two presidents noted with concern the threat posed by the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons in the region. They committed themselves to take concerted effortsalong with other leaders in the region and partners in the international community to address these challenges.
Speaking at the joint press conference, Museveni, who is also current IGAD chairman, said Somalia needs all the support possiblefrom the rest of Africa to re-establish the central government in Mogadishu, adding Uganda is ready to raise part of the AU force toassist in re-establishing peace and stability in Somalia.
Visiting Somali President Abdullahi said the 14-year war in Somali has caused over 300,000 deaths and over 2 million people were forced into exile and many more were displaced.
"Up to 300,000 people were killed during the war, about 2 million others were displaced, some living here in Uganda, and national institutions were destroyed," Abdullahi said.
"We promise to accelerate the program in Somalia as much as we can. It is my belief that if we all work together, the time frame of pacifying Somalia will be much shorter than anybody thought," he said.
Last month, Abdullahi called on African Union to send a force of between 15,000 and 20,000 to disarm militia groups that have been warring in Somalia since the 1991 overthrow of former Mohammed Siad Barre government.
He told journalist here it could take just one year to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation, adding "if we all work hard we can complete Somalia's stabilization in one year."
Abdullahi was sworn in last month in Kenya's capital Nairobi asthe leader of the transitional government of Somalia. He is the first president of Somalia after 14 years of conflict and anarchy in Horn of Africa country.
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