Mogadishu: Leaders in Somalia have signed a deal planning to hold elections within a year, aiming to end a string of ineffective transitional UN-backed administrations.
The deal commits the government to a new constitution. It also stipulates reforms in governance and security services and calls for talks with armed opposition groups. It also says African Union troops supporting the government should spread beyond the capital of Mogadishu. That is all the territory the government currently holds.
The plan signed Tuesday says the international community will provide financial support based on the achievement of results.
War-ravaged Somalia was supposed to have elections last August but the government extended its mandate partly because the international community could not agree what to do.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, September 06, 2011, 22:06