Tension reported at peace conference

Tension is said to be rising at the Somali national reconciliation conference in the Kenyan town of Eldoret as differences emerge between civil society organisations and leaders of the political groups, a source at the talks told IRIN on Thursday. After days of inactivity, Somali political leaders have asked the mediating team from the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to give them some time alone. "The leaders asked for a chance to meet alone, as Somali leaders, to discuss amongst themselves," said the source. The leaders reportedly met "from 11:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. [on Wednesday], breaking only for lunch". Civil society groups have complained that the organising committee has allowed faction leaders "to hijack the conference", a member of the civil society told IRIN. "For the last few days, the faction leaders have been meeting behind closed doors, deciding on issues that should be decided at the plenary session," he said. "It would be a mistake on the part of the organising committee to give the factions a veto power over all decisions. If they [factions] decide on who should participate and who should not, then this conference is doomed to failure." Civil society organisations are angry that political leaders have rejected setting up a Somali advisory committee to advise on contentious issues, another source told IRIN. While admitting that there is tension, a source close to the organising committee told IRIN that the organisers had not made any decision to allow the political leaders to run the conference. However, "as leaders they have to meet and lead", he said. He urged civil society groups "to show some faith". The source added that the leaders discussed "the rules of procedure, the setting up of a Somali advisory committee, and a declaration". He acknowledged that they rejected the idea of the advisory committee, but agreed on the rules of procedure, "with the exception of two minor points". He did not elaborate. They were expected to meet again later on Thursday to discuss the declaration and "hopefully approve a number of confidence-building measures, such as a cessation of hostilities", he said. A delegate who attended the meeting and requested anonymity, told IRIN the atmosphere of the leaders' meeting was "extremely good and accomplished much". He added that "if the spirit of yesterday [Wednesday] prevails, we should be able to accomplish positive results that will warm the hearts of the suffering Somali people".