Mogadishu gunmen, residents team up for peace

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Mogadishu gunmen, residents team up for peace

25 May 2005 10:17:20 GMT

 

Source: Reuters

 

By Mohamed Ali Bile and Guled Mohamed

 

MOGADISHU/NAIROBI, May 25 (Reuters) - Mogadishu warlords have demobilised hundreds of fighters in a joint security drive with civic groups that is unprecedented in Somalia's long history of failed peace efforts, Somalis say.

 

The move aims to persuade jittery ministers in the divided government that one of the world's most violent capitals is safe enough to serve as the base of the fledgling administration, currently working from Kenya where it was formed at peace talks.

 

Liaising with militia bosses on peace measures for the first time, women have sold jewellery and businessmen donated cash to finance camps around the anarchic city to house more than 2,000 militiamen for disarmament and rehabilitation, Somalis say.

 

"People have called for this before, but this is the first time that anything remotely approaching this has ever actually happened," said Matt Bryden of the Crisis Group think tank.

 

"Civic groups have never played such an active role."

 

Many residents are reserving judgement, noting that only a fraction of the city's gunmen have been demobilised and dozens of militia checkpoints remain. "What's important is establishing the rule of law," said former policeman Hashim Hussein.

 

But the rate of killings, kidnappings and robberies has fallen in recent weeks, and Somalis are taking note.

 

"Daily $3,000 to $4,000 is collected from civil society and wellwishers," said civic activist Abdullahi Shirwa. "The money is given to trustworthy women's groups who ensure the militia are fed and clothed. The boys look happy and cooperate well."

 

A dispute over where to install President Abdullahi Yusuf's clan-based government -- the 14th attempt at restoring effective government in almost as many years -- has deepened power struggles within his cabinet.

 

Its location is a key security issue for the Horn of Africa, a region long buffeted by Somalia's political turmoil.

 

Somalia collapsed into chaos after the overthrow of military ruler Mohammed Siad Barre in 1991. Conflict and famine have killed hundreds of thousands of people since then.

 

Yusuf and Prime Minister Mohamed Ali Gedi want the cabinet to move to the provincial towns of Baidoa and Jowhar, saying Mogadishu, where Yusuf lacks a powerbase, is too dangerous.

 

But parliament speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan and allied warlords want the cabinet in Mogadishu and plan to stabilise the city of one million provided funds keep coming.

 

ROBBED AND ABDUCTED

 

The United States, European Union and African Union have welcomed their plan. But Yusuf dismisses it, noting guns are handed not to an independent party but to ex-army officers training the militiamen for police work or for welfare service.

 

"It is a first step on a very long path to peace and stability," said internet cafe owner Hussein Yarow. "What's important is to remove checkpoints," said teacher Asha Yusuf, noting less than a tenth of the city's gunmen had been removed.

 

Warlord Omar Mahamud Mohamed, better known as Omar Finnish, said 156 battlewagons -- trucks mounted with heavy machineguns -- had been removed from Mogadishu.

 

The drive marks a change in attitude among warlords long dismissive of the city's many welfare organisations that provide low-cost medical and educational services.

 

Women's activist Asha Shaur Ugas said women played a leading role. "Many women sold their gold and jewellery, while some contributed money. We provide uniforms, cutlery, foodstuff to the militia (in cantonment camps)," she said.

 

"Many Somalis living abroad have also promised to contribute," said speaker Sharif Hassan. "I urge the international community to support this initiative."