Somalia-Regional, Politics, 8/30/2004
The African Union has considered the inauguration of an interim Somali parliament in Nairobi as "a turning point" in this country which is situated in the African horn, which is swept by a civil war since 1991.
The head of commission at the Union, Alfa Omar Konari, said that the " oath taken by 194 members in the Somali interim parliament is a great step forward by the Somali leaders in preparation to return back to peace, security and stability." He said in a statement that this matter constitutes a great turning point in the Somali reconciliation process which started 22 months ago.
The head of commission at the African Union called on the Somali leaders to remain united so as to permit the selection of other 81 parliamentarians in the association who are expected to be nominated by the end of the week.
He also thanked the Somali people and leadership "over their support and collaboration during the second reconnaissance mission started by the Union's commission in Somalia in preparation for the possible deployment of military observers mission after the end of the peace conference in Kenya."
The last session of peace talks started in October 2002 in Kenya and entered into its last phase with the beginning of the negotiations on the sharing of authority among the main five warring factions in the country before the election of the interim President.
The Somali interim parliament opened its session on August 22nd, 2003 in Nairobi in the absence of the representative of the Puntland ( north west ) which announced independence unilaterally.
This is, however, the first time time since 1991 -- the date of the fall of Muhammad Seyad Berri regime -- in which Somalia has a recognized parliament by all main war lords who share the lands since the collapse of the state as a whole.