Somalia: Tribes share rule in a federal system
Somalia, Politics, 1/30/2004

The Somali groups which have been warring since 13 years have achieved progress towards ending the war which the country suffers. In Nairobi, Kenya these groups signed an agreement on appointing a new program on tribal foundations that prepare for electing a Somali President for a provisional period and a federal system for five years during which a new constitution is written.

The importance of this agreement which was finalized at the patronage of Kenya in the context of IGAD lies in that it was signed by representatives for the provisional national government and the Somali renewal and reconciliation council, which includes a group of warlords who oppose the provisional national government led by Abdul Salam Salad Hassan while the opposition group is chaired by Hussein Muhammad Aided, who is supported by Ethiopia.

Djibouti Foreign minister, Ali Abdi Farah, announced on Wednesday that 42 of the warlords "will be initially forming before the end of February a Parliament and elect a President of state," who will in turn choose a prime minister whose authorities will extend to the center and southern of Somalia. He has to work for unifying the areas with the republic of the land of Somalia ( Pontland) in the central part of the country.

The Somali parliament will include 275 members representing the Somali groups. The four main Somali sides will be equally represented at the parliament, with each 61 parliamentarians for each while other 31 parliamentarians will be for the minorities. Traditional leaders will decide the appointment of those representatives who by their turn will elect the President of the Republic.

However, the Djibouti minister indicated that "this time, the international community as a whole is determined to support the government which will stem from Nairobi negotiations." He continued "the US will shortly appoint a new ambassador for it in Somalia that will closely follow up current developments. Under the overwhelming international conditions to fighting terrorism, the US does not desire chaos to continue in this country."

The agreement raises optimism despite 14 peace initiatives which have not succeeded in the past. The President of Kenya called on the warring groups "to abide by what it had started and not to stop midway." Meantime, a leader of a Somali militia said that armed men kidnapped yesterday the German Ralf Heritch, who works for the UN near Kesmayo town.

Previous Stories:
  Nearby agreement to form a new parliament in Somalia   (1/27/2004)
  Some 13 were killed, other wounded in tribal clashes in Somalia   (1/20/2004)
  IGAD urges Somali leaders to attend reconciliation conference   (12/10/2003)

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