Somali Prime Minister moves to break relocation deadlock

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 30, 2005 (PANA) — For the first time since his appointment late last year, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi is in Mogadishu this weekend in a bid to end the deadlock on the relocation of the Somali government that was formed here.

Ghedi, accompanied by several ministers would be in Mogadishu at least three days to negotiate with cabinet members and MPs who had already moved there, presidential spokesman Yusuf Mohammed Ismail said before the party left here Friday for Somalia.

Aides said Ghedi would try to convince the MPs and ministers in Mogadishu to return with him to Nairobi for further discussions
on the relocation, as well as the status of Mogadishu.

The government, which includes several faction leaders, has been unable to relocate because of security concerns. It has, however,
been under increasing pressure from the Kenyan government and
western diplomats to return to Mogadishu.

Interim President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Ghedi insist the
government cannot function in Mogadishu until the city is
pacified and secured.

President Yusuf has asked African and Arab states to supply 7,500
troops to help disarm militiamen who have terrorised Mogadishu
ever since warlords toppled military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre
in 1991.

But Somali protests against border states contributing soldiers
has delayed the planned deployment of an African peacekeeping
force.