Thursday, May 21, 2009

AU Calls for the Closure of Sea and Air Ports Controlled by Insurgent

Chairman of the African Union (AU) Mr. Jean Ping has called on African nations to support the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in closing sea and airports under the control of the groups opposed to the TFG of Somalia.

Speaking to the AP, Mr. Ping said the closing the ports controlled by insurgent groups fighting Somalia’s TFG will deny insurgents the taxes they collect by running these ports as well prevent them from importing into
Somalia illegal weapons. Mr. Ping, however, did not elaborate on how the plan will be implemented.

While attending an IGAD meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr. Ping reiterated a request he made earlier this year calling for the imposition of travel embargo and a freeze of the financial assets of those deemed obstacle to reconciliation and peace in Somalia. He also called on the UN to send peacekeeping forces to Somalia.

UN Ambassador to Somalia who gave the opening speech of the IGAD foreign ministers meeting asked the international community to strengthen the AU peacekeeping forces currently present in Somalia and economically support the Somalia’s fledgling TFG.

Source: HOL

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