Somalia wants new force to guard aid convoys

[Jacaylbaro]

FULL STORY: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/08/2011813224737586231.html

 

 

Somalia has called for the creation of a new force to protect food aid convoys and camps in the famine-hit country after declaring a state of emergency in parts of Mogadishu.

 

Al-Shabab fighters mostly retreated from the capital last weekend but the threat of guerrilla-style attacks such as suicide bombings remains despite their battlefield defeat.

 

The government and a 9,000-strong African peacekeeping force admit they do not control all of the capital even after the rebel withdrawal, placing thousands of Somali refugees who are streaming into Mogadishu searching for food in danger.

 

The pullout by al-Shabab has raised hopes humanitarian groups will be able to step up aid deliveries after years of obstruction by the fighters.

 

Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, the prime minister of Somalia's transitional government, speaking to Al Jazeera had a defiant message for the group: "Bring it on. We are ready, what ever tactics they want to use, we are ready for them."

 

Ali also held a joint news conference with Valerie Amos, the recently appointed UN emergency relief coordinator.

 

"We met today with Valerie Amos ... we have discussed the current humanitarian situation in Somalia and the best way that we can assist with humanitarian aid to the people," Ali said.

 

"We have also raised the issue of creating a special h

[Valenteenah.]

So, do they want this new force to be a foreign one? Mise they want Somalis trained for it?