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SOMALIA: GOVERNMENT RELOCATION DEADLINE May 28, 2005
Somali government was scheduled to relocate to Somalia from Nairobi, its temporary home today. However, it is not likely to relocate its entire staff today or anytime soon. After many broken deadlines, the prime minister announced May 28th as the last day his government will be on Kenyan soil. The president reaffirmed the planned relocation deadline on many occasions.
Prime Minister, Mr. Ali M. Geddi came back from a European trip yesterday and President Abdullahi Y. Ahmed is in the UK for health related visit. One of their relocation destinations, Baydhabo city is now in the hands of their opposition and is out of the question for relocation.
The prime minister may send or accompany some of his cabinet and members of the parliament who are still loyal to him to Jowhar soon. Full relocation is not likely to happen at this time.
Some Mogadishu based warlords and sizable members of the parliament left Nairobi for Mogadishu earlier this month and last month out of mistrust between the elected officials and Mogadishu powerful men.
Somalia has been in ruins since 1991 when the last president, Mohamed Siad Barre was forced to flee the capital by public uprising and armed factions. An interim government was established in Nairobi, Kenya last year. It is in process of relocating to Somalia with African troops. At least two battalions from Uganda and Sudan were authorized to protect the new government.