Fanisha Posted April 8, 2007 Mogadishu elders say no to U.S. mediation By Apr 7, 2007 - 3:54:32 PM MOGADISHU, Somalia Apr 7 (Garowe Online) - Elders representing fighting groups in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, said on Saturday that they refused to participate in U.S.-led mediation efforts to find a lasting truce in the country. Salaad Mohamed Barwako, a Mogadishu elder, said they were invited by American intelligence services to come to Baidoa and participate in talks with the transitional government. "We are [very] busy with other important issues, such as pacifying Mogadishu," Barwako said. Barwako's claim that U.S. agents invited Mogadishu elders for talks with the government could not be independently verified. However, his comments came on a day U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, led an American delegation to the inland town of Baidoa under tight security to hold talks with President Abdullahi Yusuf and Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi. It was the first visit to Somalia by a ranking U.S. diplomat in the past 13 years. After talks with Yusuf and Gedi, Frazer addressed the Somali transitional Parliament, which is still based in Baidoa. Her message to all she met was to promote dialogue in order to resolve Somalia's enduring conflict, according to a U.S. press statement. The U.S. government backed Ethiopia's military intervention in southern Somalia in late 2006, when thousands of Ethiopian combat troops overwhelmed less-armed Islamic Courts militia fighters and expelled them from major cities, including their former stronghold of Mogadishu. Garowe Online News Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yaabka-Yaabkiis Posted April 8, 2007 Elders deb lee shidaan faaiido mahaayaaan. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
