UN expert backs power sharing agreement in Somalia

27 November 2008


NAIROBI - The Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Somalia, Dr. Shamsul Bari welcomed today the signing in Djibouti on 26 November 2008 of a power sharing decision between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia.

The parties decided, among others, to establish a Unity Government and an enlarged inclusive Parliament.

Dr. Bari equally applauded the conclusion of the High Level Committee on the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry and an International Court to address gross human rights and International Humanitarian Law violations.

“Both decisions are indeed strong signals towards accountability and end of impunity,” the UN expert said of the outcome of that meeting, held in Djibouti on 25-26 November.

The Independent Expert also strongly backed the conclusions of the preparatory Conference on Justice and Reconciliation organized on 22-23 November by the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Somalia, Mr. Ahmedou ould-Abdallah with the expertise of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Dr. Shamsul Bari, who is currently visiting for the second time the Horn of Africa sub region, attended both the preparatory conference on Justice and Reconciliation and the ceremony of the power sharing decision signing.

For further details on the mandate of the Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Somalia and UN human rights information on Somalia, please visit the website:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/AfricaRegion/Pages/SOIndex.aspx