Galmudug and Ahlu Sunna to hold talks in Nairobi

[Deeq A.]

Galmudug regional state in Somalia’s central and moderate Islamist group Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a (ASWJ) leaders are expected to hold key talks in Kenya’s capital Nairobi on Saturday, sources confirmed.

The president of Galmudug State,  Ahmed Duaale Haaf and Ahlu Sunna  leader, Sheikh Mohamed Shakir Ali have reached Nairobi on Friday ahead of the talks.

The sides are expected to have face to face talks on possible power sharing and forming inclusive state government.

Reliable sources privy to the talks said the talks being at the early stage  the leaders will also be discussing the challenges blocked the previous talks.

“ The sides will hold first phase of their talks in Nairobi to iron out all the obstacles that caused the previous talks to end without reaching tangible progress,” said a source close Somali embassy in Kenya.

The second phase of the talks will take place late this month in Mogadishu, according to the source.

The previous talks which brokered by Somali government collapsed following hard conditions imposed by Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama.