Saturday, February 18, 2012
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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.