UN chief welcomes peace initiatives in Horn of Africa

NEW YORK - The United Nations (UN) and IGAD welcomed the recent positive political developments in the Horn of Africa region, particularly the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Comprehensive Cooperation between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia on 5 September 2018 in Asmara and the constructive engagement towards normalization of relations between Djibouti and Eritrea.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres hailed the visit to Djibouti on 6 September by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, joining Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, as another important step in the rapprochement among the countries in the Horn of Africa region.

“The agreement reached among the four Ministers to work together to restore peace and stability in the region is a positive example for the Horn and beyond,” he said in a statement.

The Secretary-General reiterated the readiness of the United Nations to support countries in the Horn of Africa region in consolidating the recent remarkable gains.

Similarly, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) commended the leaders of the region for their wise and visionary leadership.

“IGAD looks forward to the full normalization of relations between all the countries of the region and the realization of our shared aspiration for sustainable peace and development of the region and indeed the whole of Africa,” it said in a statement yesterday.

“IGAD will continue to support all efforts that may contribute to moving forward the process of normalization of relations between Djibouti and Eritrea and the search for sustainable peace and development of the region.”