Reconciliation talks begin in Nairobi

Talks aimed at bringing about reconciliation between the Transitional National Government (TNG) and factions opposed to it opened in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Thursday, with delegates expressing confidence over a positive outcome.

The interim prime minister, Hasan Abshir Farah, is heading the TNG delegation, which is meeting members of the Somali Restoration and Reconciliation Council (SRRC) led by SRRC Secretary-General Mawlid Ma'ane, and members of opposition factions other than the SRRC.

Opening the talks, Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi told delegates to expedite their deliberations so as to restore peace in their war-torn country. He warned them that there was a limit to his tolerance, and that he did not wish to be forced "to take steps which might be unpleasant" for the Somali people, stressing "this was their only window of opportunity".

The talks come at a time when the newly appointed prime minister has yet to name a cabinet. Abshir announced on 10 December that he was delaying the announcement of a new government until he knew which of the government's opponents would be willing to join the TNG.

A regional analyst told IRIN that Abshir's announcement presented the TNG with an opportunity to persuade some opposition members to join it. The interim president, Abdiqassim Salad Hassan, has repeatedly said he would like to include members of the SRRC and of other opposition groups in his government as the most effective way of reaching a degree of political consensus in Somalia.

However, with many senior SRRC members refusing to attend, it remains unclear what the talks will be able to achieve. Senior SRRC members such as faction leaders Husayn Farah Aydid, Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud and Gen Muhammad Sa'id Hirsi Morgan are reported to be in Ethiopia holding rival talks.

Diplomatic sources in Nairobi told IRIN that in the absence of big-name SRRC people, it was unlikely there would be a major breakthrough. The best outcome would be for the TNG to reach agreement with some of the more influential personalities attending the talks, such as Usman Ato, and resume the dialogue at a later date, one of the sources said.