Search this site

Transitional Government Relocates to Somalia

President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed of Somalia

President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed left Nairobi for Somalia on June 13, 2005 after a formal farewell ceremony hosted by President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya at State House Nairobi.

At a press conference, the two leaders called for international support to help the Transitional Government and Institutions in the ernomous task of restoring order to Somalia that has been without a central government for the last 14 years. Prime Minister Prof. Mohammed Gedi described the departure as “a historic moment and a great day that Somalia will finally return to the Community of Nations.”

Earlier, President Yoweri Museveni met Somali Prime Minister Prof. Gedi and the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Amb.Francois Fall at State House, Kampala, on June 10, 2005. The President and Prof. Gedi discussed matters concerning the ongoing peace process and restoration of the Somali Nation. The Meeting was attended by Hon. Sam Kutesa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the High Commissioner, Brig. (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza.

The 25th IGAD Council of Ministers held on June 12, 2005 in Nairobi received confirmation that both Uganda and Sudan are ready to deploy IGASOM troops as soon as funds are available, and the UN arms embargo is lifted. The Council of Ministers called upon the UN to expedite lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia to enable the deployment of IGASOM.

They also restated IGAD’s resolve to deal decisively with any individuals or groups that may be bent on derailing the outcome of the peace process, including referring such cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Back to Top