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Nairobi, UK, August 4, 2012 — Transitional Federal Government (TFG)
President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed reportedly stormed out of a meeting
signatories were having in Nairobi on Sunday.
Somali signatories of prior agreements such as the Roadmap, met with US
Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton in Nairobi on Saturday, to discuss
the political process and the end of the transitional government.
After the meeting on Saturday, signatories remained in Nairobi to
discuss possible amendments to the political process in the remaining
two weeks.
The meeting being hosted in Nairobi's Hotel Panari, began with
controversy, as a letter signed by President Sharif appointed Abdiqadir
Ma'alin Nuur as TFG President's defense adviser. President Sharif has
previously supported Mr. Nuur as Ahlu Sunna representative and
signatory.
However, Ahlu Sunna leader Mr. Mohamed Mohamud Aw Libah has disputed Mr.
Nuur's credibility as Ahlu Sunna representative and signatory as he is
"an employee of President Sharif". Moreover, inside sources tell Garowe
Online that President Sharif was irked by a closed door meeting between
Puntland President Abdirahman Farole and TFG Prime Minister Dr. Abdiweli
Mohamed Ali, as the two leaders' meeting concluded thirty minutes late
and delayed the opening of today's meeting at 10am in Panari Hotel.
However, sources say, President Sharif was disgruntled prior to the
controversial letter, when signatories discussed moving the presidential
elections ahead of the parliamentary elections.
This suggestion was supported by UN Ambassador to Somalia, Augustine
Mahiga, who last week expressed his fear of coercion and incentives for
politicians looking for parliamentary seats.
The suggestion was not welcomed by TFG President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed who
is running for reelection this August.
It is unclear if other signatories ratified the move to advance the
presidential elections and delay parliamentary selections.
The campaigning of Somali presidential candidates relies solely on the
number of supporters the candidate has in parliament. If the new policy
signatories were discussing is ratified, then Somalia's presidential
elections will take a new turn.
Ambassador Mahiga followed President Sharif to try to bring the TFG
President back to the discussion table, but President Sharif who
according to sources was headed to the airport, told Amb. Mahiga, that
he would support the outcomes of the meeting.
With less than two weeks left in the transitional government, US
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday urged leaders to continue
their efforts to end the transition on schedule.
Signatories minus TFG President Sharif will continue their one day talks
as the international community keeps a close eye on Somalia in the final
weeks of its political process.
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