The East African Stardard

The Igad Technical Committee for Somalia currently steering the on­going Somalia Peace and Reconciliation process in Eldoret, Kenya, has noted with consternation a report appearing in the East African Standard (December 17, 2002), insinuating that there is a possibility of the talks collapsing due to alleged corruption.

The Committee under the Chairmanship of President Moi’s Special Envoy for Somalia Hon Elijah W. Mwangale wishes to unreservedly deny that there has been incidents of corruption, now or in the past by members of the Igad Technical Committee, or anyone else as alleged in the report.

Indeed, the Committee has remained committed to addressing issues of concern, geared at establishing an all inclusive Government in Somalia in the near future as mandated by Igad Frontline states.

They have had no time to dwell unnecessarily with funds and kickbacks as alleged by the report. Statements of accounts are available for authenticity purposes. In any case, there are qualified accountants, available to deal with monetary issues

It is however, indicative that as a result of excess numbers of delegates to the conference at the formative stages, i.e. over 900 as opposed to the expected 300, demands for resources for up-keep and accommodation purposes have been over-stretched over a period of time. But the issue has now been solved by Somalia leaders themselves admitting to the anomaly and accepting to reduce their numbers to the envisaged 300 delegates. This is a step in the right direction.

Mr Mwangale, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Somalia therefore wishes to assure all and sundry that the talks are fully on course and have progressed well to the on-going phase II, according to expectations. The resolve to propel the conference to its logical conclusion will not be deterred by irresponsible and unwarranted insinuations, by those out to derail the course of the conference.

P. N. Nyaga, Press and Public Relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eldoret