Somali, Kenyan leaders meet
2001-02-25 12:03
Nairobi - Six of Somalia's major faction leaders opposed to the fledgling
Somali Transitional Government (STG) have arrived here for talks
with Kenyan leaders on reconciliation, their spokesperson said on
Saturday.
"Were not going to issue any political statement before we meet
Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi, a neutral regional statesman
capable of mediating on the Somali stalemate," spokesperson and
warlord Mawlid Ma'ane Mohamed said.
The visiting faction leaders, who are from clans that inhabit the
Somali capital, Mogadishu, are Hussein Mohamed Aidid, Musa Sudi
Yalahow, Osman Hassan Ali "Atto", Hilowle Imam Omar, Jama Haji
Hussein and Mohamed.
During their stay in the Kenyan capital, the six warlords, who are
bitterly opposed to the STG, would also hold talks with the
diplomatic community and aid agencies operating in Somalia.
However, Mohamed was unable to confirm speculations that they
could also visit the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for similar
talks with Ethiopian leaders.
The STG was formed last year, almost a decade after the collapse of
Somalia's central government in 1991 and following months of talks
between Somali clan leaders in Djibouti's resort town of Arta.
The STG's opponents refer to it as the "Arta Faction" - a way of
denying that the regime has any real legitimacy. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA