Talks between Somalia govt and Kismayo admin 'hit a deadlock'
Mar 28, 2013 - 2:08:30 PM
KISMAYO, Somalia Mar 28, 2013 (Garowe Online) Talks between the Somali
federal government, led by Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, and local
leaders in Kismayo led by Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) have
"hit a deadlock" as the two parties have disagreed over key issues, Garowe
Online reports.
The discussions have been taking place for the past three days in the
southern port city of Kismayo, where Prime Minister Shirdon is visiting. The
two parties appointed officials to a joint committee tasked with preparing a
cooperation agreement to be signed by top leaders.
Sources in Kismayo tell Garowe Online that the joint committee's discussions
have "hit a deadlock" and the top leaders are expected to intervene.
According to the sources, federal government officials have demanded control
of Kismayo's airport and port facilities, cancellation of ongoing Jubaland
convention, appointment of a Lower Jubba regional governor by President
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the deployment of Somali forces from Mogadishu to
Kismayo.
Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, the political leader of Kismayo, has strongly defended
Jubaland convention as a community led process to establish a state
administration, in according with the Somali federal constitution. He has
stated that Jubaland convention aims to reconcile local communities,
establish a shared state administration, and elect leaders of the new state.
Kismayo leaders have "rejected" proposals to cancel Jubaland convention and
to deploy extra troops from Mogadishu, saying Kismayo has "sufficient
troops" aided by African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) contingent from Kenya,
according to local reports.
"Federal officials have proposed appointed a six-month interim
administration for Kismayo, but this contradicts a two-year process to
establish Jubaland, thereby creating a deadlock," said one source in Kismayo
familiar with the political developments.
Meanwhile on Thursday, Prime Minister Shirdon accompanied by Sheikh Ahmed
Madobe toured the Kismayo port and a Somali military compound, as part of
the Prime Minister's ongoing visit to Kismayo.
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Received on Thu Mar 28 2013 - 20:25:09 EDT
