West Coast Connection Forum
Lifestyle => Train of Thought => Topic started by: Don Rizzle on August 22, 2004, 05:24:13 AM
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Somali legislators to be sworn in
Somalia's first parliament for 13 years is expected to be sworn in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Sunday.
Names have been put forward for a 275-seat assembly following two years of talks between rival factions.
The inauguration of a transitional parliament has already been postponed three times since July.
Somalia has been without a proper government since 1991 when the regime was toppled and the country was plunged into years of violence and anarchy.
The violence has driven the country to the bottom of most lists of social indicators. Life expectancy for women is 48. For men it is 45.
Long path to peace
There have been 13 unsuccessful attempts to start a constitutional process.
This latest attempt by the East African organisation, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), backed by the United Nations, began to seek a resolution in October 2002.
The warring factions signed a peace accord and a transitional charter in January 2004.
Under a deal finally thrashed out in protracted talks in Kenya, each of Somalia's four major clans were given 61 seats in the new assembly, with the remainder going to smaller clans.
The agreement, signed by the main warlords and politicians, sets up a parliament which will appoint a new president.
The BBC's Peter Greste in Kenya says the deal does not necessarily mean Somalia is now on a path to stability, democracy and prosperity.
He says the country is awash with weapons and a gun culture. Two northern regions, Somaliland and Puntland, have both declared independence and Somaliland refused to take part in these talks.
Somalis, he adds, will be hoping the new parliament means a better future, but they will believe it when they see it.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/africa/3587526.stm
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That's some good news :)
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This is good, maybe now that country can start to progress.
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13 years? Damn, well its goo they got one now.
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damn, i hope that shit works
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Good for them