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10 January 2007
Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Minister of Information Berhan Hailu said Ethiopia has efficiently and effectively concluded the operation it launched to put an end to the threat posed by terrorist groups in Somalia.
The Minister said the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Somalia has reached a stage to lead the country by itself.
In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian News Agency on Tuesday, Berhan said Ethiopia has fully attained its mission of averting the threat posed by the terrorist group against its security.
Ethiopia’s mission to defend its sovereignty has been concluded with shining victory, the Minister said, adding the terrorist group has been routed from all areas it used to operate.
Accordingly, he said, there is no single force which would pose any more threat on Ethiopia.
Berhan said there may be some leaders of the terrorist group dispersed to various places, adding the back bone of terrorists that had been organized around Eritrean and other terrorist forces has been broken.
Though these extremist forces have been effectively crushed not to pose any major threat on Ethiopia, it is not possible to say they have totally been eliminated, the Minister said. There still remain operations of hunting and bringing to justice remnants of the fundamentalists, he added.
Such an operation could primarily be carried out by the TFG forces, Berhan said.
The minister further said a favorable atmosphere has been created in Somalia to ensure peace and sustainable development in the country.
He added that the next task of the TFG would be sustaining the prevailing peace and stability in the country through organizing discussion forums with various sections of the public that have different interests.
Moreover, Berhan hoped, the TFG would establish government institutions and strengthen governance in the country.
It is high time for the Ethiopian government, the African Union, IGAD, and the United Nations Security Council to provide necessary support for the government and people of Somalia with a view to ensuring lasting peace and stability in the country, Berhan said.
The Ethiopian troops would not stay long in Somalia, Berhan said, and added that currently Ethiopian forces are settled in camps out side towns, except few of them in some places selected to ensure sustainability of the security of the country.
An appeal has repeatedly been forwarded for the AU and other parts to deploy peacekeeping force to Somalia, Berhan said, and underlined the importance of deploying peacekeeping force in Somalia as soon as possible.
Accordingly, African nations bear huge responsibility, the Minister said, and indicated that Ethiopia is engaged in wide diplomatic efforts in this regard.
In addition to the efforts recently carried out by President of Uganda, Ethiopia is encouraging neighboring countries to support the efforts, he said, adding, the United States and the European Union have been demonstrating support for the cause.
Ethiopian troops would return from Somalia shortly, the minister said, and indicated that the international community is engaged in wider activities aimed at realizing the plan.
(ENA)