General Duke Posted January 31, 2006 Somali PM criticizes decision on parliament meeting Somalian transitional government president Abdullahai Yusuf Ahmed (L) confers with the parliament speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan. The leaders of Somalia's deeply split transitional government have announced that the lawless country's parliament will meet for the first time on Somali soil in the town of Baidoa next month after weeks of haggling and intense international pressure.(AFP/Simon Maina) By Mohamed Ali Bile President Abdullahi Yusuf and Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan said on Monday that the assembly session would be held in the town of Baidoa on Feb. 26. Gedi's comments suggested continued divisions within Somalia's transitional administration, despite an agreement by the president's and speaker's factions to end a rift that has paralysed efforts to restore government in the lawless country. "The speaker decided unilaterally without consultations," Gedi told a news conference in the provincial town of Jowhar, where the interim government is now based. His news conference was broadcast on local radio. "The president was neutral ... but the speaker ignored a tangible number of members of parliament," he said without elaborating. Hassan could not be immediately reached for comment. Gedi is an ally of President Yusuf, who said on Monday he supported the decision on parliament's planned meeting. Somalia has been without a functioning government since warlords overthrew President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991 and is run by various clan-based militias, who often clash. The interim government formed in neighbouring Kenya returned last year but has limited control over the country, with rival factions disagreeing over where it should be based. Hopes of an end to violence received a boost on Jan. 4 when Hassan and Yusuf agreed in Yemen to try and overcome differences that has undermined the government's ability to impose its authority on the Horn of Africa nation. Despite Gedi's comments, ordinary Somalis welcomed the planned parliament session, while warning their leaders against complacency and back-tracking on promises of an end to anarchy. "Now the situation is positive," Abdi Hussein told Reuters in Mogadishu's Bakara market, "Somali leaders should be sincere on what they are saying and doing." Yusuf Afrah, working at an Internet cafe, said people were tired of lawlessness and wanted parliament to meet as soon as possible. "Our people need peace and stability." Meanwhile, people in Baidoa town were busy cleaning streets and painting houses ahead of parliament's session. . Source: Reuters, Jan. 31, 2006 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gabbal Posted January 31, 2006 I have never seen a political situation such as this. A president who is in the back drop of his own supposed government, a speaker of parliament who has no idea what his job description entails, and a prime minister who sulks nationally. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted January 31, 2006 ^^^ Indeed. Hoever Geedi is the biggest loser. If the President and Parliment speaker could agree, if they got the support of most of the Parliment including faction leaders. Why did he jump? Why make a big deal about Baidoa. Why make two contradictory statements. In the Morning he says, "I dont mind" in the afternoon he says "I am against it". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
