afrol News, 23 June - While hundreds of Somali leaders and representatives in Kenyan Mbagathi are closing into a reconciliation deal after months of negotiations, some Somali warlords continue to violate the ceasefire back home in Somalia. European countries now threaten with "smart sanctions" against ceasefire violators.

In a declaration made today by 31 European countries, including the European Union (EU) today, violations of the Somalia ceasefire agreement were strongly condemned. The EU, which has financially and politically supported with determination the Somali Peace Process, was to "consider appropriate measures."

The declaration emphasised that the EU was encouraged by the progress made at the reconciliation conference in the Kenyan town of Mbagathi and acknowledged that the conference had "reached the crucial stage of adopting a new transitional charter and electing a new transitional assembly and government."

The European countries however called upon the political and military leaders still in Somalia to "join those at Mbagathi without any further delay."

The repeated violations of the cessation of hostilities declaration of 27 of October 2002 were strongly condemned in the declaration, which in particular mentioned the recent fighting in middle Shebelle and Mogadishu. The EU called for an "immediate and lasting cessation of hostilities" in Somalia.

There existed a "willingness to consider appropriate measures, including smart sanctions, against individuals and groups undermining the peace process," the communiqué noted. Also a recent report of the UN panel of experts had called upon all countries to strictly abide by the UN arms embargo on Somalia.

The EU further invited Ministers of the so-called IGAD frontline states - Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya - to "honour their commitment to a stronger involvement in overseeing and supporting the reconciliation conference."

A recent report of the African Union (AU) and IGAD fact-finding mission to Somalia, exploring the feasibility of deploying cease-fire observers and assessing the conditions for demobilisation had been noted with appreciation.

There was a call for all involved parties, especially the African Union, IGAD and the UN, to discuss "detailed proposals for cease-fire monitoring, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants."

The European 31 countries stated their continued willingness to support a comprehensive and balanced peace agreement and all-inclusive institutions entrusted with its implementation, notably in the areas of demobilisation, progressive democratisation, and reconciliation, during the interim period foreseen by the UN and the Mbagathi delegates.

The success of the Mbagathi peace process was seen as "a core factor in the stability of the whole region of the Horn of Africa and in the fight against terrorism," the EU declaration said.

The EU also reaffirmed its support for the IGAD-sponsored peace process and urged all political and military leaders as well as traditional and religious authorities and civil society representatives to redouble their efforts with a view to achieving fair and balanced compromise solutions to the outstanding issues, and to reach a comprehensive peace agreement during this final stage of the conference.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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