Transitional government rejects appointment of special envoy

The Transitional National Government (TNG) rejected the appointment by Sudann of a special envoy to Somalia, saying it was not consistent with the resolutions on Somalia adopted by the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). A statement issued by the Somali foreign ministry said the recent appointment was “not in the interest of the Somali people... at this stage of the development of the national peace and reconciliation process.” The TNG said it rejected the appointment, because it would “weaken the momentum of the reconciliation process”. Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir, as the current chairman of IGAD, had announced the appointment of a special envoy to coordinate activities on resolving the Somali conflict. The TNG said it would “vigorously continue” to engage in peaceful and constructive dialogue with factions opposing the new Mogadishu-based government, and, while it welcomed assistance, it would not accept any form of reconciliation imposed from outside. “The TNG has repeatedly affirmed that the outcome of the Arta peace process will remain the most viable” for the pursuit of national reconciliation, the statement said. The Arta conference was hosted by Djibouti, and resulted in the election of the TNG in August 2000.