Somali peace talks 'on ice'

2003-01-13 13:33

Nairobi - One of Somalia's principal warlords has pulled out of peace talks in Kenya, saying they have stalled, officials said on Monday.

"Musa Sudi Yalahow and his delegation flew to Mogadishu on Monday because the conference has failed to make any progress since mid-October," one of the warlord's aides, who asked not to named, said.

"He will only come back if the conference is serious about peace in Somalia," he added.

The talks in the western Kenyan town of Eldoret have brought together most of Somalia's leading warlords, as well as politicians, intellectuals, elders and representatives from the civil society.

Participants on October 27 agreed to a ceasefire for the duration of the talks, but negotiations have since then been bogged down by wrangling over the size of delegations.

The delegations have also accused Kenyan mediators of "dictatorial tendencies". - Sapa-AFP

- SAPA