Voters Told to Reject Looters

The East African Standard (Nairobi)
July 14, 2004
Posted to the web July 14, 2004

Nairobi

A presidential candidate in the forthcoming Somali elections Mr Farah Addo has urged Somalis to reject those who contributed in the looting of the war-torn Horn of African nation.

Addressing the press in Nairobi today, Mr Addo, an internationally-renowned sports administrator, regretted that conspirators in the destruction of Somalia are now coming up to be elected.

"They destroyed and sold factories, farms, ports, airports and other national facilities. They now want to be elected and I urged participants to reject them," he said.

"They blackmailed our people and our nation when they occupied top government positions. They should be taught a lesson regardless of whichever clan they belong," said Mr Addo, who served for years in African and world football bodies CAF and FIFA respectively.

Selection of members of parliament will be conducted next week in Nairobi, following the successful conclusion of Somali Reconciliation Talks that have been going on in Mbagathi, Nairobi, for the past two years.

Mr Addo urged Somalis to acknowledge the role played by International Partners Forum for the role they have played in funding the talks.

"They have promised a big role in reconstruction of Somalia and we must consider them our future partners of development," he said.