VZCZCXRO5112
OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDJ #0840/01 3001709
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 261709Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9628
INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DJIBOUTI 000840
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SO ET
SUBJECT: Somalia - TFG and ARS Agree to Unity Government
and End to Armed Confrontation
REF: Djibouti 839
1. Summary: On October 26, the Transitional Federal
Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of
Somalia (ARS) signed a joint declaration to establish a
Somalia Unity Government (text in para 8) and modalities to
implement a cessation of armed confrontation (text in para
9). Although the Joint Security Committee had significant
difficulty reaching agreement, the TFG and the ARS were
impelled to produce concrete results in advance of the
upcoming summit of the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD). The agreement and declaration were
hailed by representatives of the international community
and Somalis present as steps that should give renewed
momentum to a reconciliation process that has been short of
accomplishments on the ground. Implementation of the
cessation of hostilities agreement will require
constructive TFG - ARS cooperation, as well as flexibility
from the Government of Ethiopia. End summary.
-------------------------------------
Signed Agreements in Djibouti Process
-------------------------------------
2. A weekend of negotiations managed by the UN Political
Office for Somalia produced an eleventh-hour signed
declaration to establish a Somalia Unity Government and a
cessation of armed confrontation agreement by
representatives of the Transitional Federal Government
(TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia
(ARS). UN SRSG for Somalia Ould-Abdallah and members of
his office chaired marathon sessions October 25 - 26 with
TFG and ARS members of the High-Level Political Committee
and Joint Security Committee in reaching agreement on the
two texts in time for a mid-afternoon October 26 signing
and press conference.
3. Immediately after the signing, country and organization
representatives present offered their congratulations to
the TFG, ARS, and the SRSG. S/E Yates told those present
that the agreement represented commitment by the leaders of
the TFG and ARF, and was an important milestone in the
Djibouti Process. He said "The parties have sent a strong
message to the spoilers who are preventing the delivery of
humanitarian assistance destined to Somalis who are
suffering." The Special Envoy continued, "I feel sure that
the Somali people will look to the courageous leaders who
have signed here today as genuine leaders and not to those
contemptible elements who want to prolong and worsen their
suffering." Also commenting were representatives of the
OIC, AU, the Arab League, the EC, and ambassadors or
designated representatives of France, Italy, Libya, Egypt,
and Djibouti.
---------------------------------
TFG and ARS Leaders Promote Unity
---------------------------------
4. ARS Chairman Sheikh Sharif spoke after the
international representatives and extended sincere thanks
to the SRSG and all those who have supported the Djibouti
Process. He said that "we accepted to end all hostilities
and though we cannot get all we want in one day, we will
not derail this." Though he had done so in a private
meeting with us (reftel), Sheikh Sharif this time publicly
condemned all "spoilers," including "anyone who interferes
with humanitarian assistance, pirates, those who print fake
currency, and criminals who are standing in the way of
bringing back dignity to Somalia."
5. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information,
Youth and Sports Ahmed Abdisalam Adan said, "With this
agreement, Somalis have made an important achievement - we
have chosen to solve our differences through dialogue, not
violence." He spoke of all parties accepting their
responsibility to all Somalis and as a testament to their
support for the Djibouti Process. Minister Abdisalam also
extended a salute to all Somali women, calling ARS
representative Asha Hagi Elmi, who recently won an
international award for her work to advance the cause of
Somali women. He called her "a model for peace and justice
in Somalia."
---------------------
Concrete Deliverables
---------------------
6. Comment. The cessation of hostilities agreement, which
had been partially negotiated at the September 17 - 19
DJIBOUTI 00000840 002 OF 003
Djibouti Process meeting, in the end proved the most
difficult on which to find common ground, with ARS
representatives as late as October 26 morning, arguing that
some of the language would have to be approved by
commanders in the field before they could sign.
Implementation of the terms of the cease-fire agreement
will likely be difficult, as it will meet active resistance
from some quarters in Somalia, and will require
coordination with the UN, the international community, and
the GOE, in addition to the active cooperation of the TFG
and the ARS.
7. The Declaration and the Agreement equip the TFG and the
ARS with "deliverables" that should reduce GOE impatience
with the reconciliation process at the October 27 - 29 IGAD
Summit. The margins of IGAD can now be used to focus the
new unity government on implementing the cessation of
hostilities undertaking, and quickly beginning the process
of forming a unity government. End comment.
--------------
Agreement text
--------------
8. Begin text of declaration to form Unity Government:
Joint Declaration
Between
The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia
And The Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia
In conformity with Article 9 of the Djibouti Agreement, the
Transitional Federal Government and Alliance for the Re-
Liberation of Somalia reaffirm once more their commitment
to reconciliation and political cooperation.
In this context the two Parties thank the Somali people for
their support and request them to remain determined in
their desire for lasting peace.
The Parties also thank the international community for its
continued and valuable support for the Djibouti Agreement.
The Parties welcome the assistance of the international
community and the leadership of the United Nations for the
early establishment of a Somali Unity Government.
This Government, open to all Somali nationals and based on
partnership and respect, with an inclusive parliament,
should address as a priority, political cooperation and
joint responsibility for assuring security.
[signed]
Transitional Federal Government
Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia
Djibouti 26October 2008
End text.
-----------------------------
Cessation of hostilities text
-----------------------------
9. Begin text to end armed confrontation:
Modalities for the Implementation of the
Cessation of Armed Confrontation
26 OCTOBER 2008
PREAMBLE:
Pursuant to the 19 August 2008 Djibouti Agreement;
effective 26 October 2008, the parties, TFG and ARS, have
decided:
I. CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AND RAISING OF AWARENESS
1. To stop waging hostile campaign against each other by
using the media both in the country and abroad.
2. To call on supporters of the two parties and the Somali
population to adhere and support this cessation of armed
confrontation for the interest of Somalia.
II. CEASEFIRE
3. Effective 26 October 2008, ceasefire observance has been
announced. It will become effective 5 November 2008.
4. Initial troops to restore peace and security in
DJIBOUTI 00000840 003 OF 003
Mogadishu and other areas will be ready within a period of
45 days, renewable, starting 10 November 2008.
III. RELOCATION OF ETHIOPIAN TROOPS
5. Starting 21 November 2008, the Ethiopian troops will
relocate from areas of the cities of Beledweyn and
Mogadishu such as Towfiq, Mogadishu Stadium, pasta factory,
Heyle Barise and Headquarters of the Ministry of Defense.
6. To avoid a security vacuum in the areas vacated by
Ethiopian Forces, security will initially be the
responsibility of AMISOM troops with the assistance of TFG
and ARS security forces, until the deployment of UN Forces.
7. The second phase of Ethiopian troop withdrawal should be
completed within 120 days in accordance with the 19 August
2008 Djibouti Agreement.
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES
8. In the first phase, the TFG and ARS shall prepare a
police force of 10,000 t maintain peace and security in
Mogadishu and other regions. UNPOS is requested to cover
the financial needs of the force starting 5 November 2008.
9. Effective 10 November 2008, plus 15 days, the Joint
Security Committee and its Subcommittees shall operate from
Somalia to implement the general ceasefire.
10. The Joint Security Committee shall operate to protect
humanitarian assistance and access.
11. The military technical details of these modalities will
be developed within a period of 10 days from the signing of
this agreement.
[signed]
Transitional Federal Government
Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia
Witnessed by
United Nations
African Union
End text.
WONG