Mogadishu Port welcomes first ship in 11 years
Associated Press | August 26, 2006
Somali boats float in the waters of the sea port in capital Mogadishu August 24, 2006. The sea port was abandoned for 11 years. REUTERS/Shabele Media (SOMALIA)
MOGADISHU, Somalia, Aug. 25 -- Several hundred people on Friday greeted the first ship to dock at the main port in Somalia's capital in 11 years, the latest sign that the city's Islamic leaders are trying to restore confidence after more than a decade of anarchy.
The 800-ton vessel arrived from Kenya and was carrying tea, building materials and medical supplies for relief organizations in the country.
"Mogadishu International Seaport Authority has started to unload goods from a commercial ship," said Abdirahman Kolly, the port's longtime superintendent. "From now on, security is adequately provided to protect the traffic of commercial and humanitarian supplies to this port."
The seaport had not been operational since 1995, when U.N. forces left Somalia by sea and air amid political and clan-based violence. The country's last effective central government was toppled in 1991 by rival warlords who then turned on one another.
The port and surrounding area were controlled by rival warlords whose militias prevented its use. With the risk that imported goods and those for export might simply disappear, businesses and aid agencies used a smaller port outside the capital. Mogadishu's international airport, closed for more than 10 years, reopened a month ago.
The increasing power of the Islamic courts group has caused concerns in the United States, which accuses the group of ties to al-Qaeda. The group's implementation of strict courts based on the Koran has sparked fears of an emerging Taliban-style government.
Eritrean troops land in Somali ports: VOA
Somalia's interim government says Eritrea is sending troops and weapons to Somalia to bolster an increasingly powerful Islamist movement.
Somalia's envoy to the African Union's Peace and Security Council, Abdikarim Farah, says three ships with 1,500 Eritrean troops have docked in the Somali ports of Warshika and Merka. He also told the council in Ethiopia Friday that arms have been shipped from Eritrea to Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia.
He says these activities are blocking peace talks between the Somali government and the Islamists, who have seized control of the capital and are gaining strength throughout the country.
Ethiopia says it will support Somalia's weak transitional government against a possible Islamist takeover, but denies accusations if has troops in the country.
The head of the Islamic Council , Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, has threatened a "full-scale war" if Ethiopian troops do not leave.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AFP.
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| Somali boats float in the waters of the sea port in capital Mogadishu August 24, 2006. The sea port was abandoned for 11 years. REUTERS/Shabele Media (SOMALIA) |
The 800-ton vessel arrived from Kenya and was carrying tea, building materials and medical supplies for relief organizations in the country.
"Mogadishu International Seaport Authority has started to unload goods from a commercial ship," said Abdirahman Kolly, the port's longtime superintendent. "From now on, security is adequately provided to protect the traffic of commercial and humanitarian supplies to this port."
The seaport had not been operational since 1995, when U.N. forces left Somalia by sea and air amid political and clan-based violence. The country's last effective central government was toppled in 1991 by rival warlords who then turned on one another.
The increasing power of the Islamic courts group has caused concerns in the United States, which accuses the group of ties to al-Qaeda. The group's implementation of strict courts based on the Koran has sparked fears of an emerging Taliban-style government.
Eritrean troops land in Somali ports: VOA
Somalia's interim government says Eritrea is sending troops and weapons to Somalia to bolster an increasingly powerful Islamist movement.
Somalia's envoy to the African Union's Peace and Security Council, Abdikarim Farah, says three ships with 1,500 Eritrean troops have docked in the Somali ports of Warshika and Merka. He also told the council in Ethiopia Friday that arms have been shipped from Eritrea to Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia.
He says these activities are blocking peace talks between the Somali government and the Islamists, who have seized control of the capital and are gaining strength throughout the country.
Ethiopia says it will support Somalia's weak transitional government against a possible Islamist takeover, but denies accusations if has troops in the country.
The head of the Islamic Council , Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, has threatened a "full-scale war" if Ethiopian troops do not leave.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AFP.
ETHIOMEDIA.COM - ETHIOPIA'S PREMIER NEWS AND VIEWS WEBSITE
© COPYRIGHT 20001-2006ETHIOMEDIA.COM. EMAIL: webmaster@ethiomedia.com
