NAIROBI, Jan 09, 2006 (Reuters) – The United States welcomed on Monday an agreement by Somalia's leaders to try and end a rift in the anarchic African nation it failed to pacify in the 1990s.

Raising hopes of an end to a feud that has paralyzed the 14th attempt to restore government in Somalia since 1991, factions led by Somalia 's president and parliament speaker agreed last week to convene the legislature within 30 days.

If that happens, it would be a first for the fledgling Somali government since returning home in mid-2005 after formation in the relative security of neighboring Kenya .

"We are heartened by their commitment to turn a new page in Somalia 's political life, to respect the Somali Transitional Federal Charter, and to convene the Parliament in regular session within 30 days, as expressed in their joint declaration," the U.S. State Department said.

The U.S. statement, released in Nairobi , also urged all Somali ministers, legislators, civil society, business and religious leaders to support the accord.

The agreement was reached at talks in Yemen between President Abdullahi Yusuf and speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan.

The split between the president's and speaker's factions has hindered the government's attempt to impose any authority on the Horn of Africa nation which has been run by warlords since the ousting of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

The United States sent troops into Somalia in 1992 ahead of a U.N. force intended to restore order and open aid channels.

But they left in 1994 after encountering tough resistance from local warlords. That included a 1993 clash which killed 18 U.S. soldiers and was depicted in the film "Black Hawk Down."

Diplomats and analysts say that while the Yusuf-Hassan contact in Yemen was encouraging, the proof of their agreement will be if parliament actually meets. Fears among Somali factions that the government may be dissolved or key figures removed at the meeting may hamper its chances, they said.

The contentious issue of where to locate the government -- Yusuf's faction is in the provincial city of Jowhar while Hassan's is in the capital Mogadishu -- is also unresolved.

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives