Peace talks resume in Eldoret

The Somali national reconciliation conference resumed in the Kenyan town of Eldoret on Monday after a two-week break, a source close to the talks told IRIN. The talks, which opened on 15 October under the auspices of the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), adjourned for the Christmas holidays and the 27 December Kenyan elections. The talks would resume "in earnest following the departure of surplus delegates", said the source. The Somali parties have agreed to reduce the number of delegates from over 700 to 400. "There are people still insisting that they will stay, even though their names have been struck off the list of delegates," the source said. According to an IGAD source, the organisers are keen to transport the surplus delegates home due to financial constraints. "Simply put, we don't have the financial resources to cater for them," he said. "Hopefully they will leave amicably, and the problem will be resolved by today or tomorrow." Sources said once the extra delegates had left, the talks would move into phase three which includes discussion on the contentious issue of power-sharing and the establishment of an all-inclusive government.