Gabbal Posted June 19, 2003 NAIROBI, 19 Jun 2003 (IRIN) - Ambassador Bethwel Kiplagat, the chairman of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) technical committee and Kenya’s special envoy to the Somali peace talks, told a press conference on Wednesday that a new Somali government should be formed by early July. Kiplagat had earlier set a target of 18 June. 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. Kiplagat said that Somali leaders had made substantial progress on several key issues of contention, and that outstanding matters should be resolved by 30 June. "We will not be able as of midnight tonight to have a parliament, to have a government, as we had agreed," he said at the press conference. He stressed, however, that this did not mean that the talks were over. "We are simply stopping the clock tonight so that we can carry on with very intensive consultations to resolve this problem, and proceed with the election of the president and the formation of the government," he said. Kiplagat asked the participants not to give up. "My appeal will be to all the Somalis who are here, all the leaders who are here, to work, to compromise so that we can resolve the remaining small problems." He also stressed that the failure to meet the 18 June deadline did not undo the substantial progress made so far. Some participants in the talks, however, wondered whether an agreement reached in Nairobi would be enough to persuade militias at home to disarm. Mogadishu-based faction leader Muhammad Qanyare Afrah, of the so-called G8 alliance of factions, said that the assistance of the international community was essential. He said that if a peacemaking force was not in place before a new government was installed, everything achieved in Nairobi would crumble in Somalia. "We need a robust peacemaking force to disarm the various militias, until a Somali force is constituted," he told IRIN. Despite a ceasefire agreement signed by the Somali groups last October and which was to apply for the duration of the conference, violations have remained flagrant and are perpetrated largely with impunity. Participants also made a plea for increased international involvement to help Somalia stand on its own and develop economically. "I appeal to the international community not to get tired of us," Faduma Abdullahi Muhammad said. "I hope that the international community will help to establish our government," she added. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AYOUB Posted June 1, 2004 Monday, May 31, 2004 Somali Government by July By Adow Jubat An all inclusive Somali National Government will be ready by July with its headquarters in Mogadishu. The revelation was made yesterday by the Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia Mr Mohammed Abdi Affey. The Somali peace talks in Mbagathi, Nairobi had assured the international community and the Inter-governmental Development Authority (Igad) countries of the realisation of a central government in that country soon, said Affey . The envoy was addressing over 50 delegates from rival clans in Somalia’s Gedo area, at the end of a week-long reconciliation tour along the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera District. The Somali peace talks were now in the third and most crucial phase, he said. "This involves the appointment of parliamentarians by clan members who will in turn appoint a president," said Affey. The new government, which will be formed in Nairobi, will immediately relocate to Mogadishu with the financial support of Igad member countries and the international community who have been facilitating the peace talks. Affey cautioned warlords in his country and others opposed to the formation of the central government to desist from their "mischievous activities". "Anybody proved to be an obstacle to peace in Somalia will be indicted for war crimes and other injustices against humanity," he warned. The ambassador said the Kenyan Government would not rescind its ban on the use of Somali passports until a legitimate central government was in place. He revealed that the move was aimed at arm-twisting those opposed to the reconciliation talks to lend their full support. The passports, said Affey, had been greatly abused by criminals and warlords for the last 14 years. Said the envoy: "It is ironic for the warlords to use the documents to traverse borders while on the other hand, they are opposed to the establishment of a government in their country." He said a multi-national force from the African Union would be dispatched to Somalia soon to disarm militiamen. The forces will be provided by the union’s peace and security council based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ---------- To Be Continued.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabbal Posted June 2, 2004 Walahi you had me cracking for a while Sheikh Ayoub. The ludicrisy in Somali politics is at times very amusing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suldaanka Posted June 2, 2004 ...a multi-national force from the African Union would be dispatched to Somalia soon to disarm militiamen. The forces will be provided by the union’s peace and security council based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I don't want to be a pessimist but I think such a force that comes under such a organisation known for many of its past failures including its lack to resolve many of Africa's deadliest civilwars, have its own determental downside effects on Somali people, given they are as they are saying deployed on Somali soil. I think such a force could be used (by indivituals that might have access to its descisions making machine or presuasive powers) for the selfish political short gains which will inturn ignite or alienate certain groups or clans and might lead to reknewed clan hostilities. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liqaye Posted June 2, 2004 ^^^ Yea brother suldaan there 101 reasons that the A.U will not actually do anything or even succed in any endevour they might undertake in somalia. On the other hand the 1 reason that they should take part outweighs all the other's, namely anything is better than what we got now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumatatu Posted June 2, 2004 The ludicrisy in Somali politics is at times very amusing True..but that is outdone by the ludicrousy of the one amused by it.Have you ever heard of the madman laughing at the madman. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Intel Posted June 3, 2004 com'n guys be positive Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabbal Posted June 3, 2004 Jamatutu look at the date of my post and look at the date of Ayoub's post. Even the most serious of us will give a chuckle hear and there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
