The East African Standard (Nairobi)
July 14, 2004
Posted to the web July 14, 2004
Konchora Guracha
Nairobi
A new Somalia government would be formed in Nairobi by the end of this month, the Intergovernmental Authority and Development (Igad) technical committee announced yesterday.
And speaking in Nairobi at a joint Igad facilitating committee and international partners' meeting, Kenya's special envoy to Somalia Bethuel Kiplagat said an all-inclusive government of national unity for the war-torn country was possible by end month.
The final phase of the 18-month peace process would involve a simultaneous peace and reconciliation efforts.
"This meeting is the very final leg in the 18-months journey to the formation of a government in Somalia. Many have waited for long and are anxious. Its important that nothing stands in the way of a new government by the end of the month," Kiplagat said.
He however explained the formation of a new government will be preceded by a meeting of Igad ministers in Nairobi this Friday.
Thereafter delegates will reconvene.
Yesterday's meeting was earlier addressed by Kenya's new minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Makwere who told participants of the need for all players in the peace process to ensure a quick conclusion to the talks.
A number of key faction leaders who had abandoned the talks confirmed that they will participate in the final phase.
Kiplagat said he expected the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, an enclave within Somali, to participate in the peace talks so as to foster national unity.
"Its important that all participate in the new dispensation. We are using a clan-based system and hope they would come on board in due course," he projected.