Igad endorses Somalia transitional government

By Peter Opiyo

The Inter-governmental Authority on Development (Igad) recognises the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) as the legitimate authority in Somalia.

At the same time, the Igad Council of Ministers, in a communiquÈ issued by the 26th session of Igad Council of Ministers in Nairobi on Friday, have condemned forces that undermine TFG and prevent it from carrying its responsibilities in accordance with the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC).

But as the ministers issued the communiquÈ, a row emerged between Eritrea and Ethiopia, with the former opposing the presence of the Ethiopian troops in Somalia.

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs minister, Mr Raphael Tuju said he would soon go to Eritrea to solve the impasse.

Tuju, who is also the chairman of the Igad Council of Ministers, was asked to enhance his diplomacy in the sub-region and beyond to achieve complete deployment of Africa Union Peace Support Mission in Somalia (Amisom) and facilitate the all-inclusive national reconciliation and dialogue in Somalia.