"The peace process should come to a successful conclusion by the end of July, 2004," the ministers said in a joint communique issued at the end their fifth two-day on the Somali peace process.
Igad members include Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan and nominally Somalia.
"We are deeply concerned that Somalia, an important member of the Igad family, has had no central government for over a decade," the statement said.
Somalia has been ruled by clan warlords since dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled in January 1991.
The communique said the ministers "solemnly declared their total and unreserved commitment to unite in resolving the Somali problem once and for all." The ministers resolved to hold their next IGAD Ministerial Facilitation Committee Meeting on Somalia in Nairobi on May 20.
"The process should come to a successful conclusion latest by the end of July, 2004," the ministers declared.
The first phase of the talks ended on October 27, 2002, with the signing of a ceasefire agreement and cessation of hostilities.
The second phase was concluded on January 29 this year when the Somali delegates endorsed a transitional national chart.
However, the final round of the peace process has failed to start due to wrangling among delegates over a power-sharing formula, as tension rises in several parts of Somalia, prompting the ministers to appeal to Somali leaders for "maximum restraint at this critical and final stage of the peace process." More than a dozen international conferences have failed to restore peace in and a recognised government in Somalia. - Sapa-AFP
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
