From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Tue Apr 20 2010 - 14:34:37 EDT
27 killed in central Somalia clashes
20 Apr, 2010 - 8:00:12 AM
Heavy fighting between pro-governmment forces and Al-Shabaab fighters
erupted in parts of Galgadud and Bakol regions in south central Somalia,
causing the death of at least 27 people and injuries of more than 40 others,
Radio Garowe reports.
Residents of Galcad, Masagaway and Eldher towns in central Galgadud region
said heavily armed Al-Shabaab fighters attack the towns early Tuesday
morning, overpowering the pro-government Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama forces.
"I am currently in Eldher town, which was captured by Al-Shabaab. The other
forces have vacated the town. And Al-Shabaab have slain two civilians," a
resident told Garowe Online.
"I have seen 15 dead bodies, most of them fighters. Al-Shabaab is in control
of the town," another resident in Masagaway, who requested anonymity because
of security reasons, said.
In the south western town of Elbarde in Bakol regin, clashes between
Al-Shabaab and pro-government forces killed at least 10 people, mostly
fighters and injured over 17 others.
Residents said Al-Shabaab fighters attacked the town and met with stiff
resistance from the ruling forces. They added that the militant fighters are
currently controlling the town, leaving them tense moments.
Al-Shabaab officials have claimed victory, however, government officials
quickly refuted those claims, saying they are still in control of the town.
Al-Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Raghe (Ali Dhere) told reporters in
Mogadishu that his group has succeeded in capturing the contested towns.
No word from Ahlu Sunnah and the government side regarding the latest
clashes, which Al-Shabaab intends to, widen its grip over central and
southern regions.
Currently, Al-Shabaab controls large swathes of southern and central
territories, frequently going into armed confrontations with the
pro-government forces in its bid to consolidate its rule.
The UN-backed government, which survives under the guard of African Union
troops, only controls few areas in Mogadishu
The Horn of Africa country has been without a central government since 1991.
Kenyan official warns over political infighting in Somalia
20 Apr, 2010 - 7:54:20 AM
A Kenyan assistant minister warns that the current political squabbling in
Somalia parliament would lead to collapse of the fragile Un-backed Somali
government if not addressed urgently.
Aden Barre Duale, Kenya's assistant minister for livestock, has called on
the top leadership of the Somali TFG to take control of the situation and
help mediate between the feuding political opponents in the parliament.
"The TFG leaders should urgently intervene between lawmakers to stop the
dispute, if they fail to do so, then the government would certainly
collapse," he said
"The lawmakers should go back to the law, because arguing about the expiry
of the term of the parliament would not be a good idea. It is best for them
to go back to the law that they set, and follow it," he added.
Duale said Kenya, like any other Somalia's friend, would play its role in
making sure that the current transition administration would not be another
failed attempt to bring peace and stability to the war-torn country.
"Somalia and Kenya are friends, we are ready to help in anyway that would
make sure the TFG does not fail," said the Kenyan minister.
His remarks come as political bickering within the TFG escalating with
members of parliament allied to President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed vowing
not to attend the sittings preceded over by current speaker Sheikh Adan Nur
Madobe.
Reports indicate that President is mobilizing his backers to marshal support
for the ousting of Sheikh Madobe from the positions and hand over it to his
right hand man Sharif Hassan Sakin, who is also finance minister and deputy
prime minister.
The TFG was formerly established in Nairobi Kenya before Sharif took office
in a power-sharing arrangement in Djibouti in early 2009.
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