EU condemns repeated cease-fire violations in Somalia

Brussels- Belgium (PANA) -- The European Union (EU) has threatened "selective" sanctions against the warlords and groups "jeopardising" peace in Somalia.
The selective sanctions would mainly consist in the seizure of assets and freezing of bank accounts belonging to Somali personalities as well as a travel ban into the European Union.
In a statement issued Monday in Brussels, the EU called for an "immediate and lasting" cessation of hostilities.
It strongly condemned repeated violations of a cease-fire reached on 27 October 2002, and especially the fighting that recently rocked Mogadishu and the Middle Shebelle area.
The EU urged countries to scrupulously respect an arms embargo decreed by the UN against Somalia.
It called on Somalia's neighbours to deliver on their undertaking to back and monitor the Somali national reconciliation conference holding in Mbagathi, Kenya.
In its statement, the EU expressed readiness to meet with the UN, the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to examine conditions for the monitoring of the cease-fire, the demobilisation and reintegration of the ex-combatants.
In keeping with the principles stated by the UN Security Council, the EU pledged support for an inclusive and fair peace deal, as well as support for institutions in charge of implementing it during the transitional period.