Number of attendees in the Somali reconciliation convention reduced

By Aweys Osman Yusuf

Mogadishu, 19, May 2007 - Ali Mahdi Mohammed, the government appointed chairman for Somalia reconciliation conference has held a press conference in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, Saturday.

He revealed that the number of Somalis supposed to attend the national reconciliation conference would be reduced.

Somalia president, Abdulahi Yusuf said the conference will be held in Mogadishu next month.

Mahdi indicated that a committee making up 29 would be sent to the provinces of the country to invite the attendees. “Within this week, we will determine the number of people that should attend the national reconciliation conference and we will send committees to country’s regions,” he said.

He said the Somali traditional and tribal leaders and elders would be independent to choose their envoys who would partake in the conference.

Mahidi has met with Italian deputy foreign affairs minister in Mogadishu today over the reconciliation process. He told journalist that the reduction came because of insufficient funding.
“Now we have decided to invite 1,325 envoys to attend the reconciliation convention,” he said.

Italian deputy foreign minister, Patrizia Sentinelli, paid a visit to Somalia Saturday amid international efforts to assist the Somali transitional government largely backed by the Ethiopia and United States to restore law and order.

Source: Shabelle Media Network

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