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    February 18, 2012

Somalia Leaders Sign Agreements on Government Formation

   VOA News

   Somali leaders have concluded a conference in the Puntland State of
   Somalia by signing an agreement on the formation of a new elected
   government.
   The three-day conference, attended by international delegates, ended
   early Saturday, with the Somali representatives agreeing to set up a
   bicameral legislature of upper and lower house representatives from the
   country's states.
   The new parliament will have a membership of 30 percent women.
   Somalia is to adopt a constitution before the elections which are to be
   held within a year.
   During opening statements of the conference, Puntland President
   Abdirahman Mohamud Farole urged leaders and Somalia people to reconcile
   their differences and work together to establish a strong and stable
   democracy.
   Somalia has not had a recognized central government since 1991 when
   rebels took over the country and it spiraled into chaos.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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