Somali peace negotiations postponed to October 15

The Kenyan foreign ministry and diplomats in Nairobi announced on Tuesday that peace negotiations on Somalia which was due September 16 in Kenya was postponed until October 15.

An official at the ministry who asked not to be identified said that the "meeting will start on October 15 and this was confirmed," noting that the meeting will be in the same place" in al-Dourit city, 300 Km north west of Nairobi.

The official and diplomats made it clear that the Somali national reconciliation conference which is organized by IGAD was postponed "for logistic purposes." They in particular stressed the difficult contacts with the warlords and leaders of tribes, groups and areas which claimed independence unilaterally so as the conference will be held with wide participation.

A foreign diplomat close to IGAD's committee said that contacts were made with most entitled parties involved in the Somali civil war and they confirmed their participation.

Nevertheless, the authorities in the "Republic of the land of Somalia," which announced independence unilaterally in 1991 and which is not officially recognized by the international community, said it will not take part in the peace conference because it does not consider itself as part of Somalia, according to the same sources.