Essy Express Concern On the Situation in Somalia, Condemns Coup in CAR
ADDIS ABABA, 21 MARCH 2003--The Interim Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Amara Essy, expressed his concern over the reported violations of the Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities signed on the 27th October 2002, in Eldoret, Kenya, by all the Somali Leaders attending the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference, the African Union Said in a statement.

The African Union strongly condemned these violations, which are causing unnecessary loss of life and the destruction of property, as well as tremendous suffering to the people of Somalia. Such violations undermined the ongoing Reconciliation Conference aimed at restoring peace and stability in Somalia, the statement said. "It is all the more regrettable that the violations were occurring at a time when all efforts are being made by the Facilitators of the peace process, sponsored by IGAD and supported by the African Union, to put in place a monitoring mechanism."