Somalia Engages in Djibouti Peace Talks with UN Support

Peace talks held in Djibouti brought together representatives from Somalia's federal government and the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia (ARS), facilitated by Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the former United Nations Special Envoy to Somalia. The negotiations aimed to address the ongoing conflict in Somalia, which had been exacerbated by the presence of Ethiopian troops supporting the federal government against various insurgent groups. The outcome of these talks was a signed agreement that stipulated the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces in return for a halt to armed confrontations. This agreement was a crucial step towards stabilizing the region and fostering a more peaceful environment for the Somali people. Following the peace talks, the Somali Parliament underwent significant changes, expanding its membership to 550 representatives. This expansion was intended to create a more inclusive political framework, allowing for broader representation of various factions and interests within Somalia. The Djibouti peace talks and the subsequent parliamentary changes marked a pivotal moment in Somalia's efforts to achieve lasting peace and governance, although challenges remained in the implementation of the agreement and the overall stabilization of the country.