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Political party pledges new government for Somalia

MOGADISHU, Aug 9 (AFP) - A newly formed political party in Somalia pledged Monday to overcome the current political stalemate in the war-torn Horn of Africa nation and to set up a transitional government soon. The United Somali Republic Party (USRP), which was inaugurated in Mogadishu on Friday, said in a statement released here that it would battle against "anarchists" and "warmongers." The USRP, led by Abdi Nur Darman, 48, a Somali engineering graduate and now a US citizen, said its membership would not be based on clan affiliation but on a "commitment to the party's charter and its political agenda." News of the establishment of the USRP was welcomed across the political spectrum, with more than 1,500 activists sending messages of support. One of them was the Rahanwein Resistance Army (RRA) leader, Colonel Hassan Mohamed Nur Shatigudud. "We support peaceful coexistence of the Somali people, as the RRA is for peace and cooperation. We would support any party that did not encourage war," Shatigudud told journalists by radio from the south-central town of Baidoa. He accused south Mogadishu warlord Hussein Mohamed Aidid of being responsible for the continuation of civil strife in Somalia. Darman, speaking by telephone from Washington, told AFP on Monday that his new party enjoyed the support of countries interested in pacifying Somalia. Darman recently visited neighbouring Ethiopia, Djibouti and other countries to discuss an "enhanced" future plan for Somalia, party officials said here Monday. USRP members also visited the breakaway republic of Somaliland, which declared its secession from the rest of Somalia in May 1991. During Friday's inauguration of the party, which was attended by 500 delegates, the USRP endorsed the idea of a transitional authority in all Somali regions after consultations with members of civil society and talks with "open-minded armed factions." But the USRP will oppose warlords who want to establish a government by use of force, party officials said. Somalia has not had an independent political party in the last 30 years since General Mohamed Siad Barre seized power in 1969, followed by civil war resulting from his overthrow 1991. "It would be unpleasant to see Somalia still in the middle of anarchy in the new millennium and, therefore, Somalis must overcome their differences through peaceful means," Darman said. USRP's prime task will be to advocate voluntary disarmament, USRP officials said.