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A national
reconciliation conference aimed at restoring peace to Somalia
has begun in Djibouti.
Several
hundred delegates representing Somali clans, political and
armed groups are discussing a peace plan put forward by President
Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, which envisages a transitional
government to run Somalia for two years.
The plan
is backed by the international community, but has already
been rejected by the main Somali faction leaders, only one
of whom - Ali Mahdi Mohammed - is attending.
The northern
self-declared Republic of Somaliland is also not attending
the conference, but a surprise arrival was the administration
from the neighbouring region of Puntland.
Best
chance
The 13th
Somali peace conference opened with a reading from the Koran,
and then heavy rain showered the tent under which the hundreds
of delegates and officials had gathered.
The host,
President Guelleh of Djibouti made the opening speech at what
is, in effect, an open-ended conference.
Regional
and United Nations officials were present to underline the
heavy international backing.
One important
difference from previous Somali peace gatherings is that this
time there is involvement from grassroots Somalis - clan elders
from different regions and a host of community groups.
This is
one reason why most faction - or militia - leaders, like Hossein
Aideed and Osman Ali Ato, have stayed away.
But this
is the best chance for peace Somalia has had. If delegates
can agree on establishing an administration, it will be the
first government the country has had for nine years - since
President Mohammed Siad Barre was overthrown, and the country
descended into warring regions.
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