BN Posted August 6, 2003 Swearing of Traditional leaders undertaken in Mbagathi, Kenya The Somali traditional leaders swore at the venue of the peace talks on 4 August in a ceremony attended by IGAD Technical committee, Kenyan Assistant Minister for Foreigners Affairs, Hon. Joab Omino, Somali delegates, observers and a pool of journalists from both local and international media houses. The Somali traditional leaders were invited by IGAD in July to participate in the remaining part of the peace process and to play a key role in the selection of members of parliament. The role of the leaders in the reconciliation process was defined as vital and key to bring legitimacy to any agreement. Today's ceremony also aimed at limiting the number of traditional leaders participating in the conference, since too many have arrived to the venue of the peace talks. The swearing ceremony was presided by the two Imams of Nairobi's main Mosque. Before the ceremony began, the Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia and Assistant Foreign Minister delivered short speeches reminding the leaders of the wisdom required for the task ahead. In their statement, the Kenyan officials informed the leaders that they will not be selected for parliamentary seat but undertake their role of nominating, consulting and advising the politicians on the selection process to encourage an all-inclusive legislative Assembly. They referred to the Interim Charter which has been developed within the process and which, according to him, has the support of most of the delegates and Somalis. The two Kenyan religious leaders who conducted the ceremony explained the religious perspective of the oath and its implications. They asked the Somali leaders to be cautious of the exercise and act with honesty and truth. The ingredient of oath dwelt on representation, genuineness of the role, impartial execution of their task and to be mindful of the peace process. Between 50 and 60 traditional leaders read the oath's statement and some leaders are still expected to arrive from Somalia. Those who swore in included Ugas Abdullahi, Ugas Farah of Habar Gedir-Saleeban, Sultan Haji Muse Bare of Sheqaal-Looboge, Ugas Ahmed Duale "Heef" of Sa`ad, Habargedir, Ugas Adan Ugas Mohamed of Lelkase, Sultan Muuse Mohamed Yussuf of Ayr-Habargedir, Ugas Bare Ugas Gedi of Afgab- Awliyahan, Ugas Abdullahi Ugas Harun of Horarsame-Marehan, Sultan Osman Sh. Ahmed of Geledi, Malaq Mukhtar Malaq Hassan of Leysan Beri, Ugas Adan Mallim of Tuuf-Garre and Islan Mahamed Abdullahi of Nuuh Mahamud- ********* among others. However, some of the invited leaders have decided not to take part in the process, this include nine traditional leaders led by the Imam of Hirab, Imam Mohamud Imam Omar, arguing that their oath has been done vis-à-vis their communities and needs not to be repeated for un unclear cause. Others with him are, among others, Ugas Abdirahman Ugas Khalif, Ugas Muhidin Ugas Fodey, Ugas Abdiqadir Ugas Hashi and Sultan Ahmed Rashid. In concluding the function, Hon. Affey said that the remaining traditional leaders will be sworn in another function and asked the traditional leaders to start meeting the political leaders in order to pave the way for understanding and easy passage to the selection process. He said that differences among traditional leaders would be solved within the group. The reaction to the ceremony among the delegates was mixed. Some (including Hirsi Hure "Alanside", Presidential aspirants Asha Abdalla and Amalow) understood the ceremony as an important opportunity but left out some important leaders. Others felt this as the beginning of an effort to redirect Somalis to the common interest and suggested for the exercise to be extended to the political leaders and then to IGAD Technical committee while the third group saw this a breakthrough. Those who swore were requested to collect their access badges on Tuesday 5 August. According to some delegates this move might legitimize "non-recognized" leaders creating confusion and tensions within the traditional structures. Source:Khalif Hassan Ahmed Information and Documentation Officer Novib Somalia/Mbagathi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BN Posted August 6, 2003 SOMALIA: Plenary to debate draft charter NAIROBI, 5 Aug 2003 (IRIN) - The plenary session of the Somali peace talks in Kenya was due to reconvene on Tuesday to debate the country's draft charter. James Kiboi of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) technical committee, which is steering the talks, told IRIN the draft was first read out to delegates on Saturday, when Kenyan deputy foreign minister Joab Omino opened the plenary. The session was then adjourned so that delegates could "read and reflect" before reconvening on Tuesday, said Kiboi who is the committee's political and diplomatic liaison officer. "Today [Tuesday] will see substantive discussions, debate and intervention. Chances are that the document will be adopted today," he added. The draft charter, which has generated a great deal of controversy, has been dismissed by an independent assessment commissioned by the Dutch NGO, NOVIB. The report described the draft charter as a "mongrel" and recommended discarding it completely. Some of the participants, including members of Somalia's Transitional National Government (TNG) have also rejected the charter. But others, including the opposition Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SRRC) and other TNG members, have hailed it as a "compromise of opposing views". Kiboi told IRIN the adoption of the charter "will mark the successful conclusion of the second phase of the conference and the ushering in of the third and final phase shortly after". The third phase of the conference would be devoted to the issue of power-sharing, after which an interim government would have been formed, Kiboi said. The IGAD-sponsored talks on Somalia began in October 2002 in the western Kenyan town of Eldoret, but were moved to the capital, Nairobi, in February this year. [ENDS] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BN Posted August 6, 2003 Profile: Somalia's isolated leader Leader of little The president running out of people to rule over Mr Hassan likes to keep to himself Somali President Abdulkassim Salat Hassan came into power three years ago with the promise of accommodating all the warring militia factions in the capital, Mogadishu. But as his tenure comes to an end on 11 August, Mogadishu is as divided as ever, with Mr Hassan's government controlling only 25% of the capital. His transitional national government is also divided over the future of the on-going Somalia peace talks in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Mr Hassan has pulled out of the talks, while his prime minister and a large number of ministers have opted to continue participating at the Nairobi talks. Recognition Mr Hassan is, however, credited with one major achievement: All of Somalia's main clans are represented in his government. He has also ensured the beginnings of recognition for Somalia at the African Union and the Arab League. Mr Hassan was born in central Somalia some 61 years ago, the son of an intellectual former clan chieftain, Salat Hassan Boy. Mr Hassan is accused of failing to secure Mogadishu He took his degree in biology and science in Moscow, returning home in 1968. He contested a parliamentary seat in 1969 before the last civilian government was overthrown in a bloodless military coup led by Major-General Mohamed Siad Barre. His father, Salat Boy, was killed by President Barre's Marrehan clan, and in order to bury the hatchet, the former president appointed Mr Hassan into the cabinet in which he held nine different positions during President Barre's 21-year-rule. Witty Unlike his father who believed in polygamy, Mr Hassan has been married to only one wife with whom he still lives. But there is one quality Mr Hassan is believed to have inherited from his father - a hot temper. He is also well known for a good sense of humour and a way with words. He often uses verses from the Koran to emphasise what he says. Mr Hassan was elected as president of the Somali transitional government three years ago in Djibouti. But he has failed to win round warlords opposed to his government. Recluse Before becoming president, he was a peace activist - his grouping known as Walalaha 'brothers' is believed to have propelled him to the presidency. Those close to him say Mr Hassan likes to keep to himself, often remaining in a closed room either reading or watching television. He also enjoys swimming and playing table tennis. He has seven children - three sons and four daughters. He lost his two eldest sons in 1980 and 1990. He neither smokes nor takes alcohol - he is said to have given up the habits while serving in the late President Barre's government. Other than his native Somali language, he also speaks English, Arabic, Russian and Italian. His ambition and presidency will be tested in the coming days as his term of office expires By Hassan Barise BBC, Mogadishu http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3123813.stm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BN Posted August 6, 2003 Govt committed to Somali peace initiatives Monday, August 04, 2003 By KBC Reporter The government is committed to the on-going peace initiatives in Somali and Sudan. Foreign affairs Minister Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka says all efforts will be made to ensure peace is attained in the region for the sake of development. The minister particularly expressed optimism over the on-going Somalia National reconciliation process in Nairobi saying a new Parliament might soon be in place. Mr Kalonzo said this at the diplomatic Guest house in Pretoria South Africa during a meeting with South African Foreign affairs minister Dlamini Zuma. He congratulated South African government for the vital role it has played in peace initiatives in the Democratic republic Congo and Burundi. Mr Kalonzo appealed to South Africa to import more coffee, tea and other commodities from Kenya in a bid to close the existing trade imbalance between the two countries. In response her counterpart Dlamini Zuma hailed the role played by Kenya in Sudan and Somalia peace initiatives. She expressed optimism that the trade committee between the two countries already in place would address the Trade issues. http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?id=18013&categoryID=1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BN Posted August 6, 2003 The Speaker Of Somali Interim Parliament Accuses TNG President Of Planning To Sack Him. August 05, 2003. HornAfrik, Mogadishu, Somalia. The speaker of the transitional parliament for Somali Abdalla Derow Isak, has accused his deputy and the president of the transitional national government of Somalia of planning to remove TNG delegates currently staying at the peace conference in Nairobi from their posts. The speaker said that the only 40 Mp’s were in Mogadishu and have not the capacity to dismiss the TNG delegates in Nairobi. The speaker admitted that he built a close relationship with neighboring Ethiopia, a country constantly accused of destabilizing Somalia by the TNG president Abdikasim Salat Hassan. Earlier, members of the TNG accused the speaker and the TNG prime minister of helping hostile elements. The exchange of accusations between the transitional authority’s top officials would complicate the efforts aimed at resolving their differences. http://www.hornafrik.com/Newspage/newsid3167.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
