Somalia: Government to host southern factions' peace talks in Mogadishu

March 20, 2003 3:39am

HOOVNEWS, 20 MARCH 2003--A grand follow up meeting is expected to take place soon in Mogadishu between several Somali factions.The following southern Somalia [groups] are expected to attend the meeting: The interim Somali government; the Jubba Valley Alliance; the Shaykh Adan Madobe wing of the Rahanwein Resistance Army; the Somali National Alliance led by Uthman Ali Ato; the United Somali Congress headed by Muhammad Qanyare Afrah; the Mogadishu faction leader Umar Finish wing; and the Somali National Front which is a member of G8 [loose alliance of southern dissident groups].

According to reliable sources, the meeting is a continuation of the Eldoret cease-fire agreement which Mogadishu faction leaders and the interim Somali government have signed.

Although the agenda of the meeting has not yet been disclosed, reports say the meeting will elaborate on the Eldoret agreement between the faction leaders and the government.

Authoritative sources further say the Transitional National Government of Somalia will host the meeting. More faction leaders are also expected to arrive in Mogadishu in the coming days...

Source: Qaran, Mogadishu, in Somali 19 Mar 03

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