Somalia: Key opposition figure joins the government
Somalia, Politics, 2/20/2001

One of the Somali opposition groups leaders on Saturday evening joined the government following talks which lasted for months between the government and the group of the ( United Somali Conference) which is led by Muhammad Qneiri Afrah.

Earlier Afrah declared his opposition to the results of the Somali national conference which was held in Djibouti in 2000 in which its participants reached the formation of the current government.

Afrah had the post of the minister of the Interior in the government which was formed by Ali Mahdi Muhammad in 1991 after toppling President Muhammad Seyad berri and he then joined the government formed by the late Gen. Muhammad Farah Aided by the end of 1995.

On Saturday evening Qneiri signed an agreement with the government which was represented by President Qasem Salad Hassan and the prime minister Ali Khleif.

The agreement stated three main points namely the participation of the " united Somali conference" in the government, strengthening its steps towards reconciliation and taking part in the process of re-building the country and its legitimate establishments.

Qneiri, however, is the second Somali opposition figure who joined the government since the beginning of this year.

Two months ago the chairman of the higher consultation council Hassan Haji Bout joined the government.

Well-informed sources said that negotiations are underway between the Somali government and the group of Othman Hassan Ali Atu, one of the prominent opposition groups to join the government.

Previous Stories:
  Makadishu accuses Ethiopian forces of occupying a Somali city   (2/2/2001)
  On the general conditions in Somalia   (1/27/2001)
  Somali accusations for Ethiopia   (1/15/2001)

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