Annan hails inauguration of new Somalian President as step towards peace
28 August -- In a message to the inauguration ceremony of the new President of Somalia, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said the event marked an important milestone in the endeavour to re-establish the country as a member of the community of nations.
The inauguration of President Abdiqassin Salad Hassan took place in Djibouti, where the Secretary-General's Representative for Somalia, David Stephen, delivered Mr. Annan's message. It was the culmination of the Djibouti peace process, which saw the establishment, on 13 August, of the National Transitional Assembly. The Assembly, which was also inaugurated in Djibouti, elected the President on 25 August.
In his message, Mr. Annan stressed that this new Somali administrative structure would have to establish itself as a viable entity, bringing on board, through dialogue and negotiation, those who have chosen to stay out of the peace process so far. "Let us hope that the building of national institutions will give added momentum to the peace process, and encourage those who have remained outside it to join your common endeavour," he said.
Pledging that the UN would continue to do all it could to assist the people of Somalia in their efforts to meet the challenges ahead, Mr. Annan said, "We are also mindful that the peace process belongs to the Somali people, and that no outside party can replace their genuine commitment to building lasting peace and reconciliation."
On 16 August, members of the Security Council welcomed the formation of the new Somali parliament and strongly urged all Somali political forces to support the ongoing peace process.
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