AU encouraged by Somali peace process

Maputo- Mozambique (PANA) -- Joint efforts by Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya in support of the peace process in Somalia have won the commendation of the African Union.
The AU Executive Council, which ended its third ordinary session here Wednesday, urged the three countries and their partners to redouble their efforts to speed the peace process.
It called on Somali leaders, including the traditional rulers and elders, to continue to show commitment towards achieving a lasting peace and stability in their country.
A national reconciliation conference on Somalia is underway at Mbagathi, Kenya.
Foreign Ministers that constitute the AU Executive Council have appealed to donors and the international community to provide the necessary assistance to facilitate the deployment of an AU Military Observer Mission in Somalia.
The Mission would monitor the cessation of hostilities as agreed by Somali parties under the Eldoret (Kenya) Declaration of 27 October 2002.