Somali Warlords In Nairobi For Talks With Kenyan Leaders
NAIROBI, Feb 24 (news Agencies) - Six of Somalia's major faction leaders opposed to the fledgling Somali Transitional Government (STG) have arrived here for talks with Kenyan leaders on reconciliation, their spokesman said Saturday.
"Were not going to issue any political statement before we meet Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi, a neutral regional statesman capable of mediating on the Somali stalemate," spokesman and warlord Mawlid Ma'ane Mohamed said.
The visiting faction leaders, who are from clans that inhabit the Somali capital, Mogadishu, are Hussein Mohamed Aidid, Musa Sudi Yalahow, Osman Hassan Ali "Atto", Hilowle Imam Omar, Jama Haji Hussein and Mohamed.
During their stay in the Kenyan capital, the six warlords, who are bitterly opposed to the STG, would also hold talks with the diplomatic community and aid agencies operating in Somalia.
However, Mohamed was unable to confirm speculations here that they could also visit the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for similar talks with Ethiopian leaders.
The STG was formed last year, almost a decade after the collapse of Somalia's central government in 1991 and following months of talks between Somali clan leaders in Djibouti's resort town of Arta.
The STG's opponents refer to it as the "Arta Faction" - a way of denying that the regime has any real legitimacy.
