By: G.A. Maher
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The chairman of the much publicized National Conference by the two main opposition parties in conjunction with National Council and rectification forum (NCRF) Dr. Mohammed Osman Fadal said that the meeting is scheduled to take place by the end of the year will go on as earlier planned and no amount of intimidation by the government security apparatus will stop the conference to be held.
He refuted claims by some people that the organizing committee has sent invitation letters to the President H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Mahmud Silanyo to participate in the meeting.
Dr. Mohammed was speaking in an interview with a local daily (Horn of Africa) and stated that organizing a state conference takes time and energy to prepare.
Adding that the conference would have a national image whereby it will be inclusive of all regions of the country in representations.
The chairman went on to say that assurance of invitations will be done on a later date and added that they are still in the process of collecting ideas and views of the public. When asked what will happen should the government use force to stop the conference he said that members of the public have their rights and no one can take that away no matter what happens they are ready to face the consequences.
He said that the country is a democratic country and has democratic institutions and that political parties have their rights of freedom of association and freedom of expression.
