Ethiopia urged to withdraw army
2006-12-27 16:03
Djibouti - Djibouti has called on its neighbour Ethiopia to withdraw its troops from Somalia, where they are backing the weak government against Islamist fighters, warning the conflict could destabilise the whole of the Horn of Africa.
The Djibouti government issued the appeal following a cabinet meeting late on Tuesday called to discuss the week-old conflict, said government spokesperson Ali Abdi Farah.
"The Djibouti government joins with the Arab League and the European Union (EU) and reiterates its position in solemnly calling for the parties in the conflict to call an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces from Somalia and the resumption of inter-Somalian negotiations," he said.
Somali troops seize control of town
"The government of Djibouti, which recognises that Ethiopia has the right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, calls on this friendly country, the headquarters of the African Union (AU) and senior member of this organisation, to give a new chance for the resumption of inter-Somalian negotiations."
The fighting in Somalia "could have repercussions for the stability of the sub-region which is already weakened by these types of crises and conflicts," said Farah.
Fighting first erupted in Somalia on December 20 after the Islamists, who controlled most of the country, demanded the departure of Ethiopian troops supporting the United Nations-backed but feeble government.
Somalia has been wracked by conflict since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
On Wednesday, the Ethiopian-backed Somali government troops seized control of the southern town of Jowhar, about 90km north of the Islamist-held capital of Mogadishu, after heavy fighting, both sides said.
- SAPA