Written question asked by John MacDougall (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 June 2008. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 July 2008 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Somalia: Politics and Government

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Somalia.

Answer: [holding answer 30 June 2008]: We are pleased that the UN sponsored talks in Djibouti resulted in the initialling of a peace agreement between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for Re-Liberation of Somalia on 9 June 2008. This is a positive step and we look forward to all parties formally signing soon and fulfilling their commitment to cease armed confrontation. We continue to work closely with the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould Abdalla, to encourage and support the TFG in reaching out to all groups which reject violence and to pursue increased inclusiveness in government and a process of national reconciliation.

Secondary information