The Somali
peace conference held in Djibouti is coming to the end of
its consultative phase, after composition of the predominantly-clan
delegations was slowed down by disagreement, diplomatic sources
told IRIN.
Debate
focused particularly on numbers regarding sub-clans, women
and minorities. A committee of elders and representatives
from the Djibouti government mediated in a process that is
"inevitably taking longer than expected", said the source.
The final
composition is likely to be four groups of 160 representatives,
with smaller groups representing minorities. Women will be
part of the clan delegations as well as a separate delegation.
The choice
of representation includes individuals from the Somali diaspora
and from Somalia, who need to be brought to Djibouti for the
start of the conference. There are "hundreds of former politicians"
at the conference, the source told IRIN - "it will be interesting
to see which delegates are chosen; old or new".
The heavily
represented Hawiye clan of some 400 people is particularly
challenged by having to slim down to 160 participants.
The three
major Hawiye faction leaders - Hussein Aideed, Musa Sude and
Mohamed Kanyare - are not in Djibouti and have made anti-conference
statements in Somalia.
According
to the diplomatic source "the question of faction leaders
is still under discussion". There is still tension between
Puntland leader Abdullhai Yusuf and the delegation of northeastern
elders, for example.
The conference
was initially billed as one defined by Somalia's civil society,
but has relied heavily on clan representation - opening the
door to possible participation by the old-style faction leaders
and former politicians.
But the
atmosphere of Arta, Djibouti, is "an atmosphere of discussion"
rather than conflict, said the source, with faction leaders
and elders remaining engaged in the process despite some disagreements.
The lengthy
discussions in the initial pre-conference stage has put a
financial burden on the host government, and the UN has requested
assistance from member states to support the conference.
Meanwhile
donations of camels, goats, mangos and foodstuffs have been
given by local businessmen, and visiting representatives from
China and Saudi Arabia.
Aideed's
militia men "angry and hungry"
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