Monday, September 15, 2003 at 22:31 - Mbagathi, Nairobi, (AllPuntland) – The chairman of the IGAD-appointed technical committee Ambassador Kiplaget announced later today that the final draft of the transitional constitutional charter for the Federal Republic of Somalia has been finalised and sealed with the signatures of the leaders committee stamped upon it.
A breakthrough over the much debated issue with respect to article 11 of the constitution (formerly article 19) has been secured late yesterday after members of the leaders committee comprising of SRRC with delegates of Puntland State of Somalia, Arte/TNG, G8 and civil society had issued a declaration symbolising a congruous ending of their disagreement over the technicalities of the said article.
Having the constitutional charter read out in front of the Somali delegates participating the ongoing Somali national reconciliation and peace process, its agreed espousal was greeted with enthusiastic ovations and loud applause interpretative as to the receptiveness, satisfaction and admiration of this historical moment on the part of the Somalis. This brings an end to months long dispute over the technicalities of certain articles in the transitional constitution including article 11 (formerly artcilce 19) which attempted to warrant de facto status to existing regional administrations which met with fierce opposition from some of Mogadishu’s faction leaders.
The conference almost hit troubled waters earlier this morning when Ambassador Kiplaget tabled a proposed postponement of the conference for a few days at the request of some faction leaders including A/Qassim Salat Hassan, whose term as the head of the Arte/TNG expired in August recently arrived in Nairobi from Mogadishu. Hordes of infuriated delegates and participants with the manoeuvring tactics of these faction leaders, and by the mere suggestion walked out in protest, and demanded the finalisation of the charter as scheduled no later than today. Failed attempts by representatives of the international community to persuade A/Qassim and his newly formed alliance to attend the conference did not bear the desired result as they [faction leaders] rejected any such proposal. Nonetheless, a pleasant conclusion to Phase II of the Nairobi national peace process which once appeared untenable has been secured to the delight of many Somalis.