Confusion at peace talks

Delegates to the Somali peace talks, taking place in Kenya, signed what was termed an "historic" agreement on 5 July to set up a federal government, but confusion was created when some political groups denounced the agreement the following day. The president of the Transitional National Government (TNG), Abdiqassim Salad Hassan, rejected the agreement, signed by his prime minister, Hasan Abshir Farah, at a press conference on Sunday. Abdiqassim said that it would divide the country and the TNG would "not be party to a process that is flawed and aimed at the dismemberment of Somalia". According to a statement from the mediators, delegates agreed that parliament would be composed of 351 members. "The duration of the Transitional Parliament will be four years. The selection of members of parliament will be made by the political leaders (signatories) to the Declaration on the Cessation of Hostilities, signed in Eldoret on 27 October 2002, and politicians who were originally and officially invited by the Technical Committee in consultation with the traditional leaders." Abdiqaasim said on Sunday that the number of MPs was too large for Somalia and that traditional elders "should have the final say" in the selection of MPs. Saturday's agreement seems to have brought to the fore simmering differences within the TNG leadership. Prime Minister Hasan Abshir "stands by the agreement", Ahmed Isse Awad, Abshir's senior advisor, told IRIN on Monday. The agreement "has come about as a result of a compromise between two diametrically opposed positions between the TNG, on one hand, and the other Somali leaders at the Conference, on the other hand," Abshir said in a press statement issued on 7 July. Meanwhile, Muse Sudi Yalahow, one of Mogadishu’s main faction leaders, also opposed the agreement. Yalahow told IRIN that he was opposed to the agreement because "we were not involved and therefore are not bound by it". "We will not recognize it since we have nothing to do with its inception. They just announced it," he said. A source close to the international observers at the talks told IRIN they were concerned about the situation and were trying to find a formula agreeable to all parties. An Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) source involved in the talks said "I am confident that the issues raised can be resolved amicably". The IGAD-sponsored Somali talks have been continuing for the past eight months in an effort to establish an all-inclusive government. More than 300 delegates representing the TNG, Somali armed factions, political groups and civil society are attending.