Somalia leaders laud Kenya for peaceful transition

Nairobi- Kenya (PANA) -- Leaders from Somalia say Monday's smooth handover of power by President Daniel arap Moi to Mwai Kibaki, who won the polls last Friday was a clear testimony of the country's adherence to democratic principles.
The leaders, currently attending a conference in the North Western Kenyan town of Eldoret in search for peace in their motherland described the just concluded Kenyan elections as "an eye opener" to the rest of Africa.
"What has just been witnessed in Kenya is a good example of how to conduct peaceful elections, a factor necessary in the peaceful change of government anywhere in the world," a conference delegate, Mohammed Ashareh said.
Ashareh, a minister for Justice in the breakaway Puntland State of Somalia told PANA in an interview that Kenya's neighbours will now take a cue "on how to pass power from one regime to another without bloodshed.
" Ashareh was happy that outgoing President Moi had initiated the peace talks for his embattled country, and asked him to continue the fragile process until the talks achieve the desired goals of restoring lasting peace in Somalia.
Ashareh, at the same time, appealed to President Kibaki to assist Somali leaders come to an agreement so that the country return to normalcy through peaceful elections.
He suggested that the Electoral Commission of Kenya consider exporting its expertise to Somalia and other African countries so as to lessen bloody takeovers of government.