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100 Somali MPs stranded in Kenya
More than 100 Somali parliamentarians have been unable to afford their trips back to their homeland following a regional summit in Kenya. 10 days after attending a meeting sponsored by the Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, the lawmakers still failed to return to Somalia, a Press TV correspondent reported. The meeting was formed to evaluate the performance of Somalia's transitional federal government, which is struggling in the face of gaping differences within the Somali factions and the country's runaway insurgency. The MPs blame the organizers of the summit for refusing to cover their travel costs as well the expenses they incurred during their stay. IGAD has disclaimed responsibility saying the Kenyan government had been in charge of the matter on the European Union's behalf. Some MPs, though, have flown back to Somalia, but the issue has been a cause for controversy. The UN Development Program (UNDP) is as well said to have footed the flight expenses. The organization's officials likewise deny any involvement in the issue. Posted by: Fred 2008-11-11 |
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