H.E. ALl ABDI FARAH,
Minister of J...oreign At't'airs, Republic of Djibouti
Excellencies,
Distinguished participants from Horn of
Africa/Gulf of Aden States
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I would like to take this opportunity to
congratulate the Republic of Djibouti for taking this very important
initiative to address yet another important issue regarding peace and
security in our region. We still remember quite vividly Djibouti's
historic efforts in restoring peace in Somalia. I am convinced that given
your demonstrated interest and strong conviction to restore peace in this
part of' the world, this conference will yet again be another milestone in
your noble endeavors.
The IGAD Secretariat, which has been mandated by its
member states to promote peace and stability in our region, fully supports
this effort and hope that modalities would be worked out so that the
Secretariat, which is located here in Djibouti, can fully and actively
support this effort.
The problem of landmines as we all know has had a
devastating impact on the well being of our people. All efforts must,
therefore, be geared
towards addressing this problem, so that a safe environment, in which
people in the Horn can confidently carry out their productive activities,
primarily in the field of Agriculture, can be created.
MR MINISTER
The program of work, which you have set to carry out
during this meeting, is impressive. These efforts will go a long way in
highlighting the problem of landmines in our region. We are aware of
efforts to tackle the problem of small arms and light weapons in the Horn
and Great Lakes Region in accordance with the Nairobi Declaration of March
2000. The problem of
landmines is slightly different in the sense that a landmine waits to be
triggered by any movement, whereas small arms and light weapons are
carried by criminal elements or belligerents in a conflict. The harm they
cause to the person is definitely similar and equally destructive.
I t is, therefore, quite timely for your government
and the partners to start addressing this very difficult problem. Recent
conflicts in our region, particularly the Ethiopian -Eritrean war, have
worsened the problem of landmines, but recent encouraging developments
could provide a lasting solution to this problem. The Ethio-Eritrea peace
deal provides for the clearing of landmines. This could be a good
opportunity for this conference to chart the way forward in collaboration
with the United Nations and the OAU in landmine clearance in the conflict
areas.
The recently concluded Arta Agreement for
establishment of a central authority in Somalia offers another Opportunity
to address the problem of landmines in that country .Fu11her consultation
on how to go about this could be initiated in course of this conference.
At any rate it should form part of the peacebuilding efforts in Somalia,
as the new administration settles down to govern.
Mr. Minister,
The IGAD Secretariat has responded to the mandate
given by our leaders during the revitalization of. IGAD in 1996 to try and
find ways and means of 'resolving conflicts in our region, because it has
been one of the major causes of underdevelopment. The Political and
Humanitarian Division has been created and it has started to address these
problems systematically. The program of action has been developed and
resources has been mobilized to address issues of peace and security in
the region, such as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in
our region, development of a culture of peace and tolerance and the
creation of a conflict early warning and response mechanism to prevent,
resolve and manage conflicts.
The Secretariat has also been supportive of the two
peace processes in Somalia and Sudan. The secretariat is therefore ready
and able to collaborate with the Government of Djibouti and other states
and organizations to highlight and focus regional and international
attention on the problem of landmines in our region.
Mr. Minister,
Last but not least Mr. Minister, 1 would like to once
again reiterate our full support for your efforts and thank our
development partners t()f their support in making this conference a
success.
I wish all the participants well during their
deliberations in this meeting.
Thank you.
