His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed today welcomed the IGAD agreement on South Sudan

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed today welcomed the IGAD agreement on South Sudan and urged not only the immediate end of hostilities but an urgent need for the international community to respond to a growing food shortage.

Speaking at the 25th Extraordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government Summit, in Addis Ababa, the Prime Minister said:

“As the leading regional organization IGAD has played a leading role in negotiations and steps to bring an end to hostilities in South Sudan.

“Somalia sadly knows only too well the horrific cost that famine can have on a country and its people if not responded to quickly. I stress the urgency in which the international community needs to respond and mobilise in order to effectively respond to growing concerns over food shortages, which if not addressed could turn into a humanitarian crisis. All parties must ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian supplies to ensure they reach all communities in need.

“The only solution is an immediate end to all hostilities and the beginning of a genuinely inclusive dialogue and reconciliation process.”

Prior to the assembly session on South Sudan the Prime Minister briefed IGAD Heads of State and Government on the ongoing successful operations against Al-Shabaab and the progress being made across Somalia. The final communique of the summit looking at Somalia called on the international community to assist the Federal Government of Somalia in rebuilding the Somali National Army and in its efforts to establish administrative units and distribute humanitarian aid in newly liberated areas.