South Africa Conference seeks What Next for Somali after August

[Somalina]

Johannesburg, S. Africa (HOL) - A conference to discuss the fate of the beleaguered Somali republic kicked off on Monday in South Africa’s capital Johannesburg, where more than 40 Somali delegates from across the world gathered to discuss the fate of Somalia.

 

The conference organized by the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), a South African-based civil society organization, sought solutions for Somalia’s aggravating situation where the interim government’s term is due to elapse in few months time.

 

One delegate told Hiiraan Online that the conference is all about what next for Somalia after the expiry of the term of Transitional Federal Government (TFG) later in August 2011.

 

Delegates are also discussing, inter alia, the Somali peace process and the challenges facing the war-ravaged nation at this point in time when Western-backed TFG forces are battling with opposition groups particularly in the restive capital Mogadishu.

 

The ACCORD initiative seeks homegrown solutions for homegrown problems as discussions heighted the need for Somalis to front for their own answers in addressing a conflict that has devastated their country for more than two decades now.

 

Opening the discussion at Moloko Hotel in Sandton neighborhood of Johannesburg, the Executive Director of ACCORD, Mr. Vasu Gounden, outlined the need for a proactive approach to end the crisis in Somalia, including the need for concerted Somali efforts.

 

The ongoing deliberations in South Africa which are expect to end 1st of June, are part of efforts aimed at formulating resolutions at the end of the current transition period, the putting in place of a new political dispensation in view of the extension of the term of the TFG and the need for international community support with the ultimate objective of pacifying Somalia.

 

“It is also very interesting to note that there was heated discussion at conference about how to setup a new agenda that reflects the situation in Somalia” one delegate told Hiiraan Online.