IGAD Summit to kick off in Mogadishu Tuesday- Somali President
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has affirmed the IGAD heads of states and governments summit will kick off shortly in Mogadishu allaying concerns the summit had been cancelled.
In a statement to newsroom Tuesday morning, the President also confirmed all the member IGAD member states will be represented in the summit which is the first since the formation of the regional bloc in 1986.
President Mohamud said the meeting with discuss the ongoing preparation for elections in Somalia and the crisis in South Sudan.
“This is a great moment for Somalia. Hosting such a high profile summit is a clear indication of recognition from the region and the international community to the progress the country has been making towards building a new Somalia, after more than two decades of anarchy. I thank the people of Somalia for their commitment to ensure our country regains its reputation in the international arena’’, said the President.
A letter purporting to indicate the summit had been cancelled circulated in the internet Monday night.
The Secretariat of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) presents its compliments to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of its Member States and has the honor to inform the latter that according to the Message received from the Chair Office, the IGAD event “Extra-ordinary Summit and Council” scheduled to take place in Mogadishu, on 13th September is cancelled,” a section of the letter read.
Goobjoog News correspondent covering the Summit has confirmed Djibouti Foreign Affairs minister has arrived at the Aden Adde Airport as preparations are underway for the heads of states arrival.