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People of Khaatumo Protest Overshadows NewDeal Conference – Brussels, Belgium
Published without a byline
September 16, 2013

khatumo State of Somalia
Hundreds of Somalis against the Brussels conference on Somalia has today gathered outside the conference hall in Belgian capital, Brussels. Demonstrators in support of Khaatumo state, a newly established regional administration in Sool, Sanaag and Ayn regions have traveled from various countries across Europe to express their disappointment over their administration not being invited in to the conference on Somalia. Djiboutian protestors against President Ismail Omar Gelle’s policy have also joined the protest.
The European Union and the Federal Government of Somalia have co-hosted “The New Deal for Somalia Conference” in Brussels aimed to endorse the “New Deal Compact” that will commit the Somali people and their international partners to a set of key priorities and new support for the reconstruction of Somalia over the next 3 years.
The European Union pledged an additional 650 million euros ($862 million) in aid for Somalia on Monday to back a three-year reconstruction plan aimed at building on fragile security gains in the country.