Ethiopia seeking Somalia pullout

[Ibtisam]

Ethiopia's prime minister has said he wants to withdraw all his troops from neighbouring Somalia, where they helped oust Islamists last year. Meles Zenawi told the BBC that he hoped African Union peacekeepers would deploy soon to relieve his troops.

 

One of the AU leaders says it would be a "catastrophe" if Ethiopia pulled out before the AU troops arrived. Up to a third of the population fled recent fighting in the capital, Mogadishu, and badly need aid.

 

Less than 40% of the estimated 300,00 displaced Somalis are receiving any help, according to UN humanitarian relief chief John Holmes.

 

After a visit to Mogadishu, he said Somalia now represents a worse displacement crisis than Sudan's Darfur region.

 

Mr Meles said he wanted to end the "onerous" financial burden of having Ethiopian troops, estimated to be several thousand in number, in Somalia.

 

"Things have improved significantly in Mogadishu, making it possible for peacekeeping troops to do their job," he said.

 

"I very much hope and expect that those African countries that have promised to send troops will do so."

 

He said Ethiopia had done the job of the AU but its continued presence could "block political dialogue" in Somalia.

 

Ethiopia has twice fought border wars with Somalia and is widely distrusted there.

 

So far, Uganda has sent 1,700 peacekeepers but the AU says another 6,300 troops are needed.

 

Nigeria, Burundi and Ghana have all promised to contribute to the AU force.

 

Mr Meles said the "organised resistance" of the Islamists had now been "broken".

 

The Ethiopia-backed government says it is in control of Mogadishu after what is seen as the worst fighting in 16 years in the city.

 

Source

[nuune]

Waxaas waa ku tiri ku teen iyo siyaasad wiiqsan, illaa goortuu soo galey Soomaaliya ayuu saas oranayey walina wuu dhax kududaa.

[Ibtisam]

^^^WHAT?

[xiinfaniin]

Not new at all, but it has a different touch to it this time!

[Malika]

Xanthus, let me try sis to translate,but beware some of it will be lost in translation, here goes:

 

He is such a brilliant leader, he should be our ruler, we cant manage without him..zenawi rules!

 

although you didnt see zenawi, he called him in a somali name..

 

 

girl am pulling your leg!!

[Tahliil]

He has been sendig more troops into Somalia just last week, and he is pulling troops out of Somalia??? Talk about speaking outta both sides of his mouth..

 

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said he wanted to end the "onerous" financial burden of having Ethiopian troops, estimated to be several thousand in number, in Somalia

So the key word is financial burden...He needs his occupation to b funded for him by others...by threatening a withdrawal...This is one of the rare cases where You can really have your cake and eat it too

 

Ethiopia's prime minister says he wants to withdraw all his troops, after they helped oust Islamists

 

The US and the African Union have warned Ethiopia not to withdraw its troops from Somalia before peacekeepers are deployed to replace them.

 

AU commission chief Alpha Oumar Konare says it would be

a "catastrophe"

if Ethiopia pulled out too soon.

 

US Africa envoy Jendayi Frazer said it would probably be several months before the full peacekeeping force arrived.

lol...a stamp of an approval if ever one was needed...ironic isn't it? everyone but Somalis is now on their knees begging Ethiopia to continue its occupation...