The General Agreement signed in Addis Ababa

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Somalia
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: The General Agreement signed in Addis Ababa
Date: 8 Jan 1993
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Somali Civil War (1991 - )
Originally spurred by centre-peripheral tensions, fighting broke out in 1981 between the regime of President Said Barre and the Somali National Movement, a militia primarily consisting of members from the northern Ishaq clan. Fighting intensified in the late 1980s as more clan-based militias arose. President Barre’s regime collapsed in late 1991 and as a result the UN intervened. However persistent attacks on the UN’s forces forced a withdrawal in 1994. From the mid- to late 1990s, the character of the conflict shifted as warlords fought for access to rents. Also during this period, two different peace agreements arose; the Sodere Declaration, which was mediated by Ethiopia and supported by IGAD, and the Cairo Accord, which was brokered by Egypt. Fighting, already noticeably lessened compared to the early 1990s, decreased and the more amicable environment paved the way for the Transitional Government to be formed in 2000 (replaced in 2004 by the Transitional Federal Government).

Nonetheless, opposition to the TFG arose in the form of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which by early 2006 had taken control of most of southern Somalia until they were ousted by an armed intervention by Ethiopia in December 2006. As a result, the ICU splintered. Hard-line ICU members formed the Takfiri organization, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, and launched a guerrilla campaign against the TFG. Another faction of the ICU fled to Djibouti and formed the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, which was absorbed into the ruling TFG after successful negotiations in 2007.

To deal with the new round of fighting, the UN-mandated AMISOM force was deployed in 2007. Since then, insecurity has fluctuated between the urban and rural areas as the al-Shabaab's territorial gains waver. Local militia leaders maintain de facto governance over communities. From 2009 to 2012, insecurity spilled over into the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean when Somali pirates seized, looted and ransomed ships. In 2014, 'Operation Indian Ocean' was launched and in parallel with infighting among al-Shabaab, the organisation's position in Somalia has diminished slightly. However, as evidenced by large-scale attacks by al-Shabaab in northern Kenya throughout 2013-2015, the lack of security continues to destabilize the region. Al-Shabaab continues to launch surprise attacks with the aim of forcing out foreign military presence in Somalia. Targets include both military forces and civilians. The devastating attack in October 2017 in Mogadishu saw 587 fatalities and resulted in a renewed military offensive by the Somali government and African Union allies. Since 2017, the U.S. has increased its air strikes targeting al-Shabaab militants, and in December 2018 they announced to re-establish a permanent diplomatic mission in the country. Al-Shabaab has been characterized as a spoiler in the Somali peace process and have therefore been placed outside of any negotiations.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: Somalia Peace Process
Parties: Somali African Muki Org (SAMO), signed for by Mr. Mohamed Ramadan Arbow, Chairman;
Somali Democratic Alliance (SDA), signed for by Mr. Mohamed Farah Abdullahi, Chairman;
Somali Democratic Movement (SDM) (SNA), signed for by Abdi Muse Mayo, Chairman, and Col. Mohamed Nur Aliyou, Chairman;
Somali National Democratic Union (SNDU), signed for by Mr. Al=i Ismael Abdi, Chairman;
Somali National Front (SNF), signed for by Gen. Omar Hagi Mohamed Hersi, Chairman;
Somali National Union (SNU), signed for by Dr. Mohamed Ragis Mohamed, Chairman;
Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM), signed for by Gen. Aden Abdillahi Noor, Chairman, and Col. Ahmed Omar Jess, Chairman
Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF), signed for by Gen. Mohamed Abshir Musse, Chairman;
Southern Somali National Movement (SSNM) (SNA), signed for by Col. Abdi Warsame Isaaq, Chairman;
United Somali Congress (USC)(SNA), signed for by Gen. Mohamed Farag Aidid, Chairman and Mr. Mohamed Qanyare Afrah, Chairman;
United Somali Front (USF), signed for by Mr. Abdurahman Dualeh Ali, Chairman;
United Somali Party (USP), signed for by Mohamed Abdi Hashi, Chairman
Third parties: UN (SG as facilitator), OAU, League of Arab States, Org. of the Islamic Conference, Standing Committee of the Horm of Africa (status unclear- don't appear to have signed; collaborated in facilitation of meeting), Ethiopia (host)
Description: Parties agree to convene a National Reconciliation Conference and declare an immediate ceasefire.

Agreement document: SO_930108_GeneralAgreement.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 1, Art. 6. Parties commit to cooperate with all international organisations working inside and outside Somalia to distribute humanitarian relief
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Freedom of movement
Page 2, Art. 7. parties commit to facilitating the free movement of Somali people throughout the entire country
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 1, Art. 3, The immediate cessation of all hostile propaganda against each other and
the creation of an atmosphere conducive to reconciliation and peace;
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: Page 1, Art. 4, The United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM), in consultation with
the relevant regional and subregional organizations, will be responsible for
the logistical preparations of the National Reconciliation Conference;

... Art. 6. Parties commit to cooperate with all international organisations working inside and outside Somalia to distribute humanitarian relief
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, Art. 2. The declaration of an immediate and binding cease-fire in all parts of
the country under the control of the concerned warring factions, subject to
paragraph (a) below;

Page 2, This agreement shall be valid upon completion and adoption by consensus
on the following three points, and a separate communique will be issued before
leaving Addis Ababa:

a. The establishment of the modalities for implementing the cease-fire amongst all warring parties and the creation of a mechanism for disarmament;
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Page 2, This agreement shall be valid upon completion and adoption by consensus
on the following three points, and a separate communique will be issued before
leaving Addis Ababa:

a. The establishment of the modalities for implementing the cease-fire amongst all warring parties and the creation of a mechanism for disarmament;
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, Art. 1, The convening of a National Reconciliation Conference in Addis Ababa on
15 March 1993;

... 5. The establishment of further mechanisms for the continuation of free dialogue amongst all political factions and leaders in Somalia in preparation for the National Reconciliation Conference;

Page 2, This agreement shall be valid upon completion and adoption by consensus on the following three points, and a separate communique will be issued before leaving Addis Ababa:
b. The agenda of the national Reconciliation Conference;
c. The criteria for participation in the National Reconciliation
Conference.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: USIP - http://www.usip.org/; http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/file/resources/collections/peace_agreements/somalia_01081993_gen.pdf

Annex II

The General Agreement signed in Addis Ababa on 8 January 1993

We, the undersigned Somali political leaders, meeting at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from

4 January 1993 at the Informal Preparatory Meeting on National Reconciliation in Somalia, would like to thank the Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who has facilitated this meeting in collaboration with the Organization of African Unity, the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Standing Committee of the Horn of Africa.

We also thank the Government and people of Ethiopia, and

H.E. Meles Zenawi, President of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia, for hosting the Meeting and for his personal engagement in assisting our efforts to reach the following agreement.

We, the Somali participants, further express our deep appreciation for the concern of the international community for the humanitarian crisis in our country and recognize their wish for us to reach a peaceful solution to our country's severe problems.

After discussing our problems and considering all options, we have agreed on the following points:

1. The convening of a National Reconciliation Conference in Addis Ababa on 15 March 1993;

2. The declaration of an immediate and binding cease-fire in all parts of the country under the control of the concerned warring factions, subject to paragraph (a) below;

3. The immediate cessation of all hostile propaganda against each other and the creation of an atmosphere conducive to reconciliation and peace;

4. The United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM), in consultation with the relevant regional and subregional organizations, will be responsible for the logistical preparations of the National Reconciliation Conference;

5. The establishment of further mechanisms for the continuation of free dialogue amongst all political factions and leaders in Somalia in preparation for the National Reconciliation Conference;

6. To continue and enhance our full and unrestrained cooperation with all international organizations working inside and outside Somalia to distribute humanitarian relief to our people;

7. To commit ourselves, without reservation, to facilitating the free movement of Somali people throughout the entire country as a measure of confidence-building before the National Reconciliation Conference.

This agreement shall be valid upon completion and adoption by consensus on the following three points, and a separate communique will be issued before leaving Addis Ababa:

a. The establishment of the modalities for implementing the cease-fire amongst all warring parties and the creation of a mechanism for disarmament;

b. The agenda of the national Reconciliation Conference;

c. The criteria for participation in the National Reconciliation Conference.

This agreement, signed in Addis Ababa on 8 January 1993, shall be considered binding on all the undersigned parties henceforth and all signatories shall be obliged to secure the support and implementation of this agreement amongst their movements and followers.

Somali African Muki Org (SAMO), signed for by Mr. Mohamed Ramadan Arbow, Chairman;

Somali Democratic Alliance (SDA), signed for by Mr. Mohamed Farah Abdullahi, Chairman;

Somali Democratic Movement (SDM) (SNA), signed for by Abdi Muse Mayo, Chairman, and Col.

Mohamed Nur Aliyou, Chairman;

Somali National Democratic Union (SNDU), signed for by Mr. Al=i Ismael Abdi, Chairman;

Somali National Front (SNF), signed for by Gen. Omar Hagi Mohamed Hersi, Chairman;

Somali National Union (SNU), signed for by Dr. Mohamed Ragis Mohamed, Chairman;

Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM), signed for by Gen. Aden Abdillahi Noor, Chairman, and Col.

Ahmed Omar Jess, Chairman

Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF), signed for by Gen. Mohamed Abshir Musse, Chairman;

Southern Somali National Movement (SSNM) (SNA), signed for by Col.

Abdi Warsame Isaaq, Chairman;

United Somali Congress (USC)(SNA), signed for by Gen. Mohamed Farag Aidid, Chairman and Mr. Mohamed Qanyare Afrah, Chairman;

United Somali Front (USF), signed for by Mr. Abdurahman Dualeh Ali, Chairman;

United Somali Party (USP), signed for by Mohamed Abdi Hashi, Chairman

January 8, 1993

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA Africa Hall