Somali PM: Egypt, Libya arming militants
By Mohamed Olad Hassan, AP writer
July 29, 2006
Veiled Somali women take part in an anti-Ethiopian demonstration in Mogadishu, Somalia, July 28, 2006 (AP)
BAIDOA, Somalia - Somalia's prime minister charged Saturday that Egypt, Libya and Iran are arming the Islamic militants who challenge his rule, lengthening the list of countries accused of fueling this country's political chaos.
Premier Mohammed Ali Gedi and the militants have been trading allegations that Ethiopia — Somalia's traditional rival — is backing the prime minister and Eritrea — Ethiopia's enemy — is helping the militants.
Gedi's weak government, meanwhile, has been unraveling. Two lawmakers were shot this week — one fatally — and Gedi faces a no-confidence vote after 18 members of parliament resigned from his administration, saying it has failed to bring peace.
"Egypt, Libya and Iran, whom we thought were friends, are engaged in fueling the conflict in Somalia by supporting the terrorists," Gedi said. He cited unnamed sources in his government and offered no proof.
The leader of the Islamic militia, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, denied receiving support from foreign countries and said Gedi was "trying to distract attention from his own troubles."
The Islamic militia has rallied its supporters by condemning reports that Ethiopian troops have entered the country to protect the government. Somalia's president has asked for Ethiopia's support — a decision that infuriated many Somalis.
The government, in turn, accuses the Islamic militia of receiving weapons from Eritrea. Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a bloody border war from 1998-2000, and have since backed rebel groups to destabilize each other.
Somalia has had no real government since 1991, when its longtime leader was overthrown.
The interim government was established nearly two years ago with the support of the U.N. but has failed to assert any power outside its base in Baidoa, 155 miles from the capital, Mogadishu.
The militia, known as the Supreme Islamic Courts Council, has seized control of Mogadishu and much of the nation's south, raising fears of an emerging Taliban-style regime. The United States accuses the group of harboring al-Qaida leaders responsible for deadly bombings at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.
Abdallah Isaaq Deerow, the politician who was killed Friday, was "an ardent supporter of close ties with Ethiopia," his friend, Ali Mohamed Ahmed Daon, told The Associated Press. Deerow was a secondary school teacher before entering politics in the 1990s.
Nine people have been arrested in Deerow's death, but authorities had no further details, according to Police Chief Aadin Biid.
On Wednesday, Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed, chairman of the parliamentary committee for constitutional affairs, was shot and wounded. It was not immediately clear whether the shootings were connected, although the men had worked together.
Deerow's funeral Saturday forced officials to postpone the no-confidence vote against Gedi. Nobody spoke at the funeral.
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Associated Press writer Mohamed Sheikh Nor contributed to this report from Mogadishu.
Somali riots erupt after minister was shot
The assassination of
Adballah Deerow Isaq, who was a former school teacher, has angered many Somalis (VOA File Photo)
BAIDOA, Somalia, July 28 (AP) - Hundreds of people rioted Friday near the headquarters of Somalia's weak government after a Cabinet minister was fatally shot outside a mosque. People began streaming into the streets and setting fires just hours after the killing of Abdallah Isaaq Deerow, Somalia's minister for constitutional and federal affairs. A gunman shot Deerow several times in the chest, then escaped. A 35-year-old man was later arrested, said Baidoa police chief Aadin Biid.
"We condemn this wicked action, and the government will chase the murderers and treat them with an iron hand," said the government's information minister, Mohamed Abdi Hayir.
The shooting was the second this week of a lawmaker in Baidoa, the only town controlled by the fragile administration. Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed, chairman of the parliamentary committee for constitutional affairs, was wounded Wednesday night.
It was not clear whether the shootings were connected or related to politics in this chaotic Horn of Africa nation.
The government, which has no military, has watched helplessly in recent months as Islamic militants have taken over the capital and much of southern Somalia. On Thursday, 18 top ministers resigned, saying the government has failed to bring peace. Deerow was not among those who resigned.
The lawmakers said they were opposed to troops from neighboring Ethiopia who were sent here to protect the government from the Islamic group. Ethiopia is Somalia's traditional enemy, although Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf has asked for its support - a decision that enraged many Somalis.
About 5,000 people turned out for an anti-Ethiopia demonstration in the capital, Mogadishu.
"We will launch a holy war against the aggressors," said protester Abdirisaq Hassan. "We shall go to heaven if we die and they will suffer in hell if they die."
Also Friday, Islamic fighters closed roads around the capital's airport and chased away onlookers while a plane was unloaded. A similar aircraft delivered goods Wednesday, and officials from the government accused Eritrea of sending arms to the militants on that flight.
Islamic officials and Eritrea both denied the accusation. Eritrea and Ethiopia have been accused of supporting opposite sides in the Somali standoff, using the country as a battleground in their own rivalry.
"We have seen that the government cannot carry out national reconciliation and development," said the resignation letter issued by 18 key ministers in the 102-member Cabinet.
Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Gedi accused the former ministers of trying to bring down his government, but said it would not be affected.
The Islamic militants' increasing power has prompted grave concerns in the United States, which accuses the group of harboring al-Qaida leaders responsible for deadly 1998 bombings at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The Islamic group's imposition of strict religious courts also has raised fears of an emerging Taliban-style regime.
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Associated Press writer Mohamed Sheikh Nor contributed to this report from Mogadishu.
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July 29, 2006
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| Veiled Somali women take part in an anti-Ethiopian demonstration in Mogadishu, Somalia, July 28, 2006 (AP) |
Premier Mohammed Ali Gedi and the militants have been trading allegations that Ethiopia — Somalia's traditional rival — is backing the prime minister and Eritrea — Ethiopia's enemy — is helping the militants.
Gedi's weak government, meanwhile, has been unraveling. Two lawmakers were shot this week — one fatally — and Gedi faces a no-confidence vote after 18 members of parliament resigned from his administration, saying it has failed to bring peace.
"Egypt, Libya and Iran, whom we thought were friends, are engaged in fueling the conflict in Somalia by supporting the terrorists," Gedi said. He cited unnamed sources in his government and offered no proof.
The Islamic militia has rallied its supporters by condemning reports that Ethiopian troops have entered the country to protect the government. Somalia's president has asked for Ethiopia's support — a decision that infuriated many Somalis.
The government, in turn, accuses the Islamic militia of receiving weapons from Eritrea. Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a bloody border war from 1998-2000, and have since backed rebel groups to destabilize each other.
Somalia has had no real government since 1991, when its longtime leader was overthrown.
The interim government was established nearly two years ago with the support of the U.N. but has failed to assert any power outside its base in Baidoa, 155 miles from the capital, Mogadishu.
The militia, known as the Supreme Islamic Courts Council, has seized control of Mogadishu and much of the nation's south, raising fears of an emerging Taliban-style regime. The United States accuses the group of harboring al-Qaida leaders responsible for deadly bombings at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.
Abdallah Isaaq Deerow, the politician who was killed Friday, was "an ardent supporter of close ties with Ethiopia," his friend, Ali Mohamed Ahmed Daon, told The Associated Press. Deerow was a secondary school teacher before entering politics in the 1990s.
Nine people have been arrested in Deerow's death, but authorities had no further details, according to Police Chief Aadin Biid.
On Wednesday, Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed, chairman of the parliamentary committee for constitutional affairs, was shot and wounded. It was not immediately clear whether the shootings were connected, although the men had worked together.
Deerow's funeral Saturday forced officials to postpone the no-confidence vote against Gedi. Nobody spoke at the funeral.
----------
Associated Press writer Mohamed Sheikh Nor contributed to this report from Mogadishu.
Somali riots erupt after minister was shot
|
|
| The assassination of Adballah Deerow Isaq, who was a former school teacher, has angered many Somalis (VOA File Photo) |
"We condemn this wicked action, and the government will chase the murderers and treat them with an iron hand," said the government's information minister, Mohamed Abdi Hayir.
The shooting was the second this week of a lawmaker in Baidoa, the only town controlled by the fragile administration. Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed, chairman of the parliamentary committee for constitutional affairs, was wounded Wednesday night.
It was not clear whether the shootings were connected or related to politics in this chaotic Horn of Africa nation.
The government, which has no military, has watched helplessly in recent months as Islamic militants have taken over the capital and much of southern Somalia. On Thursday, 18 top ministers resigned, saying the government has failed to bring peace. Deerow was not among those who resigned.
The lawmakers said they were opposed to troops from neighboring Ethiopia who were sent here to protect the government from the Islamic group. Ethiopia is Somalia's traditional enemy, although Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf has asked for its support - a decision that enraged many Somalis.
About 5,000 people turned out for an anti-Ethiopia demonstration in the capital, Mogadishu.
"We will launch a holy war against the aggressors," said protester Abdirisaq Hassan. "We shall go to heaven if we die and they will suffer in hell if they die."
Also Friday, Islamic fighters closed roads around the capital's airport and chased away onlookers while a plane was unloaded. A similar aircraft delivered goods Wednesday, and officials from the government accused Eritrea of sending arms to the militants on that flight.
Islamic officials and Eritrea both denied the accusation. Eritrea and Ethiopia have been accused of supporting opposite sides in the Somali standoff, using the country as a battleground in their own rivalry.
"We have seen that the government cannot carry out national reconciliation and development," said the resignation letter issued by 18 key ministers in the 102-member Cabinet.
Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Gedi accused the former ministers of trying to bring down his government, but said it would not be affected.
The Islamic militants' increasing power has prompted grave concerns in the United States, which accuses the group of harboring al-Qaida leaders responsible for deadly 1998 bombings at the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The Islamic group's imposition of strict religious courts also has raised fears of an emerging Taliban-style regime.
---
Associated Press writer Mohamed Sheikh Nor contributed to this report from Mogadishu.
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© COPYRIGHT 20001-2006ETHIOMEDIA.COM. EMAIL: webmaster@ethiomedia.com
