IRIN Reports Somali Final Phase Of Peace Talks Expected To Be Launched

Addis Ababa, May 20(ENA)-- The final phase of the Somali peace process is expected be launched during a meeting of foreign ministers from member countries of the regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and leaders of various Somali groups in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, IRIN quoted a source in IGAD as saying.

Most of the Somali leaders were expected to attend the meeting. "Everything is on the course. Most of them have indicated they will be there for the meetings with ministers and other partners," the sources said on Wednesday. "We anticipate the launch of the final phase to go ahead."

The ministers called on the meeting in an effort to expedite the talks, IRIN, said. Having met in Nairobi on 6 and 7 May, the ministers said in a joint communiqué that the Somali peace groups "should come to a successful conclusion latest by the end of July.

They "solemnly declared their total and unreserved commitment to unite in resolving the Somali problem once and for all," and "appealed to all the absent leaders to return to conference" before 20 May, the communiqué added.

The Somali talks, which have lasted over a year, have been in doldrums ever since 29 January. On that date, the Somali leaders signed what was then described "a landmark breakthrough" agreement on contentious issues that had earlier plagued the talks.