mogadishu militia leaders display their powers

[Camel Mlik]

Somalia: Mogadishu militia leaders display their powers

Sat. May 14, 2005 10:16 am.

 

 

Eighty-five fighting vehicles known as technical in Somalia were displayed in Mogadishu soccer stadium today. Speakers at the scene said they took this step of unifying their forces in a bit to secure the capital. This public display attracted many spectators and it is the first of its kind in Mogadishu history.

 

Mr. Ahmed Dirie, the spokesman for Somali government and parliament members in Mogadishu, told SomaliNet most of these armed vehicles will be taken to a military base outside of the city. “The rest will be used for security purposes.†He said.

 

The leaders who brought their militias and weapons to the stadium in a show of unity are the ones who divided the capital into many small enclaves for the past fifteen years. They are now on the same side of the Somalia’s power struggle and want their and fighters integrated into the future national army.

[Camel Mlik]

Somalia: Mogadishu faction leaders vow to fight African troops

Sun. May 15, 2005 12:32 am.

One of Mogadishu faction leaders, Mr. Mohamed Farah Qanyare said they will fight Ugandan and Sudan troops if they come to Somalia to protect the interest of the new government. That message and his unhappiness with the prime minister and the president were the central theme of his speech when he addressed a large audience in Mogadishu soccer stadium today.

 

Mr. Afrah and other Mogadishu armed faction leaders brought their weapons and militias to the stadium today, flexing their muscles and promising to secure the capital. He and other Mogadishu warlords hold senior positions in the new government they publicly oppose.

 

Also today, Mogadishu based religious leader, Mr. Hassan Dahir Aweys asked all Somalis to fight foreign troops if they set feet on Somali soil saying their ultimate mission is to subdue Somalia and its people for Ethiopia’s domination.

News Category: Somalia

[Camel Mlik]

Ugandan Minister of Defense Mr. Amama Mbabazi met with Sudan President Mr. Omer Al-Bashir and Minister of Defense Major General Bakri Hassan Salih today in Khartoum. They talked about the nations’ troop deployment in Somalia among other things. Today’s meeting included normalizing relationship between the nations.

 

Sudan and Uganda are sending one battalion each to Somalia in the coming days. Other African nations will take part in logistics and transportation of troops and equipment. These soldiers will help the new government relocate to Somalia from Nairobi, Kenya where it is temporarily located now.

 

Sudan and Uganda share a long border and often accuse each other of arming and training rebels. Mr. Amama’s visit to Sudan who was carrying a warm and conciliatory message from Ugandan president reiterates the two nations willing to work together.

 

In other development, Somali president, Mr. Abdulahi Yussuf Ahmed flew to London last night for health reasons. Very close source said the president is not sick and this trip was planned a long time ago. He visits the UK for regular check-ups.

 

Somali Parliament Speaker Mr. Sharif Hassan Adan left Nairobi for Mogadishu yesterday in protest after the last parliament session was held in his absence. He accused the administration of abusing constitutional powers. The president and the prime minister allege Mr. Adan is the one who’s trying to derail Somalia’s reconciliation process.