President Kibaki being entertained at JKIA/PPS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 25 – President Mwai Kibaki jetted back into the country on Saturday from London where he attended an international Conference on Somalia.
During the Conference held at the Lancaster House in London, world leaders called for the convening of a Constituent Assembly in Somalia, among a raft of other agreements aimed at helping Somalia to emerge from a critical humanitarian situation as well as stabilize for progress and development.
Convened at a defining moment in Somalia’s history when the Transitional
Federal Institutions comes to an end in August 2012, the Conference acknowledged that the situation in Somalia remains precarious and in urgent need of support from the international community.
The leaders including President Kibaki agreed to inject new momentum into the political process in Somalia including the strengthening of the African Union Mission (AMISOM), support the development of own security forces, build stability at local level, and step up action to tackle
pirates and terrorists.
In a Communiqué read at the end of the Conference, participants agreed that the mandate of the Transitional Federal Institutions which ends in August should not be extended.
The Conference, also attended by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, President of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and 40 world leaders, endorsed existing agreements namely the Transitional Charter, The Djibouti Agreement and the Kampala Accord that chart the way towards more representative government in Somalia.
In his address, President Kibaki called for focused and concerted international efforts in dealing with the security and humanitarian crisis in Somalia.
The President expressed satisfaction that the operation has been successful in routing out the Al Shabaab saying the operation has so far liberated large territory and populations from Al Shabaab control; and significantly reduced the incidence of piracy off the Somalia coast.
Acknowledging the role of other neighboring countries in the search for peace in Somalia, President Kibaki hailed Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Djibouti for their contribution and called on other African countries that have made their offers to assist Somalia to fulfill their pledges.
The Head of State observed that a new and more dangerous theatre for terrorist action has emerged in Somalia following the involvement of Al Qaeda elements in the Al Shabaab insurgency.
He noted that the involvement of Al-Qaeda elements within the Al-Shabaab ranks is a wake-up call to the International Community to enhance security measures in order to effectively counter terrorism not only in Somalia and neighboring states but in the world at large.
In this connection, President Kibaki lauded the efforts of United Nations Security Council towards strengthening the operations of the African Union Mission in Somali.
The plane carrying the President and his delegation touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 6.00 am.
On arrival the President was warmly received by the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, acting head of public service and secretary to cabinet Francis Kimemia among senior military and government officials.
The President inspected a guard of honour mounted by a detachment of the Kenya Air force before being entertained by troupes of traditional dancers and choirs.
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