Somalia peace talks to wrap up with no progress

[Jacpher]

Somalia peace talks to wrap up with no progress

 

MOGADISHU (AFP) - Talks aimed at ending 16 years of conflict in Somalia were due to wrap up Thursday, with diplomats saying the parley had made no progress after six weeks of marathon negotiations.

 

As around 2,500 delegates and observers gathered for a closing ceremony in northern Mogadishu amid tight security, diplomats called for a new approach to solve Somalia's chronic anarchy.

 

"We know this conference has gone nowhere. The problem is blind confidence in the TFG (transitional federal government)," a foreign diplomat told AFP, but Somali elders argued that at least such talks had been managed.

 

"We all wanted to support it and we all did (that, but) it did not rise to the occasion, so we need a different approach now," said the the diplomat, who asked not to be named.

 

Elders said the attendance level at the Somali National Congress was in itself a favourable first step towards pacifying the nation.

 

"It was the first time such a large number of Somali delegates in favour of peace met, so for this simple reason this congress is a basis for our future unity," said clan elder Bile Mohamud Qabowsade.

 

More than 1,000 delegates representing the country's myriad clans and sub-clans met in the insurgency-prone city to discuss power and wealth sharing, as well as other key issues.

 

Security was tight in the seaside capital, with Ethiopian forces patrolling key intersections, AFP correspondents reported.

 

"The meeting is closing but the reconciliation remains open, it does not mean we have solved everything but the results we obtained show the congress is a stepping stone for future peace," said Mohamud Haji Mohamed, another elder.

 

The talks, aimed at ending the latest bout of violence in Mogadishu and paving the way for stability in a country dogged by 16 years of civil war, kicked off on July 15.

 

The meeting was requested by the international community and sponsored by the transitional government of Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Gedi, the target of the bloody insurgency.

 

The government's main Islamist foes, who were defeated earlier this year with the help of neighbouring Ethiopia, boycotted the conference, as did a large part of Mogadishu's dominant ****** clan.

 

Some elders scoffed at the talks, the latest peace endeavour in a country which has defied a dozen initiatives to end the bloodshed that has continued almost uninterrupted since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohammed Siad Barre.

 

"It started and elders met to drink coffee in a big hall but nobody seems able to explain what the real outcome is. I believe this congress was just a holiday break for elders from faraway regions," said Haji Adan Mohamed, a ****** elder.

 

He and many others present and in the streets of Mogadishu pointed out that violence had escalated in the capital despite the peace talks.

 

"Although we have discussed several issues, there are many more to tackle," said Amino Hasan Warsame, one of the few women who participated.

 

"Mogadishu, which is hosting the congress, is in flames and we should find ways of bringing all the stakeholders together including the insurgents," she told AFP, stressing it was crucial to follow up on the conference.

 

Observers have argued that any conference would have to be more inclusive and address the issue of the Ethiopian army's departure if it was to yield any breakthrough in uniting the fractious country.

 

Islamist and other key opposition players will be holding their own meeting in the Eritrean capital Asmara on September 1, with a focus on demanding an end to Ethiopian occupation.

 

The government has blamed elements from the Islamic Courts Union, a militia which briefly controlled large parts of Somalia in 2006 before being ousted earlier this year, for the daily attacks in Mogadishu.

 

In recent months, insurgents have launched almost daily guerrilla-style attacks against government targets in the capital, killing dozens every week.

 

Civilians have borne the brunt of the violence, which has seen government troops often accused of indiscriminate raids in response to insurgent attacks.

 

Last week, a respected clan elder participating in the conference was killed by gunmen and three other delegates were wounded in grenade attacks against their hotels.

 

Source

 

 

[Emperor]

Originally posted by Jimcaale:

"It was the first time such a large number of Somali delegates in favour of peace met, so for this simple reason this congress is a basis for our future unity," said clan elder Bile Mohamud Qabowsade.

 

More than 1,000 delegates representing the country's myriad clans and sub-clans met in the insurgency-prone city to discuss power and wealth sharing, as well as other key issues.

Briliant point by Qabowsade, the fact that all this delegates and Somali traditional elders attended the conference is a sign of progress, they all support the TFG and the peace in Somalia, great success.

 

Jimcaale:

"The meeting is closing but the reconciliation remains open, it does not mean we have solved everything but the results we obtained show the congress is a stepping stone for future peace," said Mohamud Haji Mohamed, another elder.

[Juje]

Emperor, the TFG and the word peace are not compatible sxb.

As for the 'shir', take a deep breathe, shah kulul cab, and come to the factual conclussion that the 'circus' has come to an end with no constructive solution (as expected by many others), and thatit was utter failure and waste of time.

Rumours has it that the UNDP told Ali Mahdi that the government did not need any money considering the money the PM spend on his son's wedding in Nairobi. What a joke this TFG is becoming.

The conference has dramatically concluded cause of its iminent failure, Asmara one looks all so bright and getting all the attention.

What does that tell you sxb?

[Emperor]

^LOL at Asmara, Jujow Sxb runti you are funny, what do you expect from Asmara? Honestly go on and contribute.

 

As always you rely on hearsay and rumours, I will take you serious when you bring something tangible and not so "Waxa layiri Sheikh Dahir Aways baa qabsan doona Muqdisho Ramadaanka"

 

The Shir has ended with great acheivement in a happy and peaceful mood. What was done in that conference was more than good enough at this moment in time, the senstive issues allowed to be discussed in it was historic, depates from previous greivances to power sharing... Marka bal maxaad kaloo rabtay in Odayaal dhaqameedyada ay soo saaraan...

 

Juje What would have called a success had that happened? Did you expected the delagates of this Shir and traditional leaders to pass laws, or may be disarm the looters? Thier part is done and the rest is for the TFG to care of...

[Faarax-Brawn]

Originally posted by Emperor:

quote:Originally posted by Jimcaale:

"It was the first time such a large number of Somali delegates in favour of peace met, so for this simple reason this congress is a basis for our future unity," said clan elder Bile Mohamud Qabowsade.

 

More than 1,000 delegates representing the country's myriad clans and sub-clans met in the insurgency-prone city to discuss power and wealth sharing, as well as other key issues.

Briliant point by Qabowsade, the fact that all this delegates and Somali traditional elders attended the conference is a sign of progress, they all support the TFG and the peace in Somalia, great success.

 

Jimcaale:

"The meeting is closing but the reconciliation remains open, it does not mean we have solved everything but the results we obtained show the congress is a stepping stone for future peace," said Mohamud Haji Mohamed, another elder.

Cesh calaa selective reading. You managed to jump thru this quote here,bal tan ka fafaahi.

 

"We know this conference has gone nowhere. The problem is blind confidence in the TFG (transitional federal government)," a foreign diplomat told AFP, but Somali elders argued that at least such talks had been managed.

 

"We all wanted to support it and we all did (that, but) it did not rise to the occasion, so we need a different approach now," said the the diplomat, who asked not to be named.

[General Duke]

^^^Whats the foreign diplomats name? Or is the lazy author just rehashing yesterdays news.

 

The meeting was a success, its job was to make peace between the clans who fought each other. It was not to form a government or reconcile defeated Xasan Dahir and his clowns to President Yusuf. Thats a long term issue.

[BiLaaL]

Originally posted by Juje:The conference has dramatically concluded cause of its iminent failure, Asmara one looks all so bright and getting all the attention.

And brilliantly timed too. Let the real talks begin.

[Socod_badne]

Asmara conference would be a failure just like the M'disho one. As painful as it is, it must include the seditious gang -- TFG -- and it's supporters if it is to have fighting chance of success.

[General Duke]

^^^What a pipe dream. The TFG has achieved all it wanted. A 45 peace meeting in Somalia ended peacefully and the world has give it its support. Asmara meeting, will be an Eritrean event as Asmara is not in Somalia nor even a country with a border with Somalia.

 

TFG has won, get used to it.

[Naxar Nugaaleed]

SB" "Asmara conference would be a failure just like the M'disho one. As painful as it is, it must include the seditious gang -- TFG -- and it's supporters if it is to have fighting chance of success."

by far the most wise and centrist thing i have heard from you. You are right, talks between like minded people will not result in anything but bringing to the table people who are at each other throught might bring some positive agreements. My understanding, though, was that this was not a conference for political negotions but to reconcile warring clans. If the purpose of it all was as I understood it, then the very fact that it brought somay elders and clans heads to come and agree to peace is successful.

[General Duke]

^^^Indeed. They are trying to move the goal post. This was a reconciliation conference between the clans. The clans have made peace.

[Juje]

Originally posted by Emperor:

^LOL at Asmara, Jujow Sxb runti you are funny, what do you expect from Asmara? Honestly go on and contribute.

Lool..!

Horta sidada oo kale mara ku dheg noqon maayo. In honest opinion I expect nothing from Asmara, and I seriosly dont believe it will produce anything less nor more than the circus in Xamar.

However on the other hand I believe there is the presence of individuals in Asmara who could steer this country, Somalia, from the path of apathy is being led to now by TFG. But, a big BUT, they cannot do it alone and some sort of formula needs to be worked out between them in Asmara and them in Xamar to safe this country. None can do without the other. To precedd all this we need the eviction of Ethiopians and TFG should be at the forefront of this step, likewise there should be end to hostility mutually.

We cannot get anywhere if we recognise this TFG as it is.

Now Emporeer talk sense and reply.

[Socod_badne]

Duke, blusters and tautologous mantras are your stock and trade here on SOL but can you step out of character for once? You know as well as any Somali with scintilla of intelligence that this Conference was one big failure as predicted. You can't have "peace" conference while the country is under foreign occupation. If for no other reason, what incentive does the TFG have to make honest promises and compromises? They got ethiopian tanks, why bother to talk to anyone.

 

Now, you've been told that your blind support for the TFG is misguided, that TFG using Ethiopian troops would lead to unmitigated disasters, that any orwelliangly named gathering while Somalia is still under occupation would bear no fruits and everything you've been told came to pass... but you're still have blind faith in the TFG.

 

 

Naxar,

 

Genuine reconciliation conference would have seen all warring parties talking without Ethiopian guns pointed at anyone... not just token clan figureheads but the real clan leaders, the ones that wield real power, ie the ones with the guns and influence. Anyone clan convene a meeting of clan elders, who is the TFG kidding?

[BiLaaL]

Originally posted by The Duke:Indeed. They are trying to move the goal post. This was a reconciliation conference between the clans. The clans have made peace.

The goal post was incorrectly positioned to start with as there is no conflict between clans. There are, however, political differences. Once again, the conference did not succeed because it failed to address substantive political issues.

[Naxar Nugaaleed]

Bilaal "is no conflict between clans." this is a colossal misunderstanding of whats been going on in Somalia for the past 17 years! And it justifies all those insults hurled at "Qorbajoogta" who know nothing of a land they left decades ago but still blindly fallow clan war mongers! if you for a second think that the Somali conflict is between Yusuf and geedi v.s. Aweis and Shariif or Ethios v.s. Ertitraa, leave Somali politics alone, you will never contribute anything to it.