Somalia Cabinet to Be Named

The Nation (Nairobi)
November 24, 2004

Nairobi

Somalia's first cabinet in ten years will be named in another week.

President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and his Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi have promised to name a cabinet by end of this month.

The two spoke in Nairobi when they held will consultations with their host, President Kibaki. The Somalia leaders are operating from Nairobi as they finalise plans to return to Mogadishu.

They briefed President Kibaki on the progress so far made in the efforts to re-locate the Somalia government and parliament from Kenya.

Speaking during the meeting, President Kibaki encouraged the new Somalia government, noting that the African Union is already preparing to send a military observation team to assess and advise on security arrangements in Somalia.

He re-affirmed Kenya's support for the creation of a stable state of Somalia, noting that stability in that country would greatly contribute to enhanced security in Kenya.

"Kenya will continue to be at the forefront in making Somalia a stable nation. We want to see you take up your place in the family of modern nations," President Kibaki said.

He added: "As your neighbours we will not relent in this cause because stability in the region is the only guarantee to economic development and peace in the region.

President Abdullahi appealed to the international community for support, saying Somalia was in need of assistance to facilitate the re-location of his government.