Somali clan, religious leaders vow to ensure peace in Somalia

Somali clan and religious leaders said on Saturday they would contribute to ensure peace and stability in Somalia's capital Mogadishu and its environs, according to the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).

During discussion they held in Mogadishu on Saturday with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mefsin, the leaders said peace would prevail in Somalia if the government is formed formally.

According to ENA reports, they said most of Mogadishu's residents have been forced to live in exile since the last 16 years. Armed men have to be disarmed to enable the Somalis to ensure peace and stability in Somalia, said the leaders, adding that disarmament is the sole option to come to roundtable negotiation among the various factions.

The leaders said they would work together with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

They added they would play a role for the success of the reconciliation conference to convene soon.

Seyoum said on his part that the Ethiopian government would extend necessary supports for ensuring peace and stability in Somalia.

Peace and stability can be maintained by the Somalis themselves, he said, adding that the African Union or United Nations or the international community could not form a government in Somalia.

Seyoum said clan and religious leaders should play greater role for the success of the reconciliation conference.

Seyoum arrived in Mogadishu on Friday on a working visit to Somalia. There is no gunfire being heard in Mogadishu currently, according to ENA.

There have been frequent bomb explosions in Mogadishu, mostly roadside bombs targeting at Somali government security forces and Ethiopian soldiers and African Union peacekeepers in Mogadishu since the fiercest fighting between Somali government forces backed by Ethiopian troops and clan insurgents and Islamists ended in late April with Somali government declaring victory.

Somalia has been without an effective national government since the overthrow of former ruler Mohamed Siyad Barre.

Source: Xinhua