Ethiopian troops have withdrawn from two of their main bases in the Somali capital two years after they intervened in Mogadishu to oust Islamist forces. Some fear that the Ethiopian withdrawal could lead to a power vacuum, others say it could pave the way for peace.
Some 16,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict between Somalia's transitional government and the Islamists, and a million more have been forced from their homes.
A small African Union peacekeeping force remains in Mogadishu but analysts say it is not strong enough to withstand the Islamists, who once more control much of southern Somalia. At least 25 people were killed few days earlier in fighting between two armed opposition groups in central Somalia, witnesses said. Fighters from the al-Shabaab movement clashed with members of the Ahlu Sunna Wal-jama'ah in Guriel, about 500km northeast of the capital Mogadishu on Sunday.
Uganda, Burundi and Nigeria are willing to send extra troops but the African Union has no money to pay for them and is wary of taking on an open-ended commitment.
Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, since when various militias have been battling for control. They are also in danger of descending into famine while the world's attention is focused on the problem of piracy off its coast, the Red Cross has warned.
There have been nearly 100 pirate attacks in Somalian waters this year, despite the presence of several foreign warships.
http://bbc.co.uk
MY COMMENT:
Somalia currently has too many stones in their bread to eat. First, with the withdrawal of the Ethiopian armed forces, which to some locals is a relief even though it is not really a good idea right now, the stage is now clearing for the Islamist insurgents to take over. The insurgents are still in control of a large portion of southern Somalia, the Ethiopian and other peacekeeping forces are controlling the northern part. So this exit of the Ethiopians who constitute the major part of the forces just doesn’t sound nice at all.
Secondly, the food shortage in the country is seriously deepening. They are in danger of ‘total famine’ says one report.
Thirdly, the pirates patrolling their waterways are slowing down trade and food supply. Not forgetting to mention that their president resigned few weeks ago (the first African president to actually resign because the cards on the table are just too much to handle). Men! This is really plenty to fit into one plate at a time, I really understand the president’s decision to quit, it’s not just working. Peacekeeping is indisputably not an easy task especially in another man’s land, but I think it would be best if the Ethiopians can hold on a little longer since the AU is broke in terms of sponsoring other countries willing to send troops into the region, at least to maintain some sought of calmness in the northern part and also keep the general tempo on check.
Some 16,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict between Somalia's transitional government and the Islamists, and a million more have been forced from their homes.
A small African Union peacekeeping force remains in Mogadishu but analysts say it is not strong enough to withstand the Islamists, who once more control much of southern Somalia. At least 25 people were killed few days earlier in fighting between two armed opposition groups in central Somalia, witnesses said. Fighters from the al-Shabaab movement clashed with members of the Ahlu Sunna Wal-jama'ah in Guriel, about 500km northeast of the capital Mogadishu on Sunday.
Uganda, Burundi and Nigeria are willing to send extra troops but the African Union has no money to pay for them and is wary of taking on an open-ended commitment.
Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, since when various militias have been battling for control. They are also in danger of descending into famine while the world's attention is focused on the problem of piracy off its coast, the Red Cross has warned.
There have been nearly 100 pirate attacks in Somalian waters this year, despite the presence of several foreign warships.
http://bbc.co.uk
MY COMMENT:
Somalia currently has too many stones in their bread to eat. First, with the withdrawal of the Ethiopian armed forces, which to some locals is a relief even though it is not really a good idea right now, the stage is now clearing for the Islamist insurgents to take over. The insurgents are still in control of a large portion of southern Somalia, the Ethiopian and other peacekeeping forces are controlling the northern part. So this exit of the Ethiopians who constitute the major part of the forces just doesn’t sound nice at all.
Secondly, the food shortage in the country is seriously deepening. They are in danger of ‘total famine’ says one report.
Thirdly, the pirates patrolling their waterways are slowing down trade and food supply. Not forgetting to mention that their president resigned few weeks ago (the first African president to actually resign because the cards on the table are just too much to handle). Men! This is really plenty to fit into one plate at a time, I really understand the president’s decision to quit, it’s not just working. Peacekeeping is indisputably not an easy task especially in another man’s land, but I think it would be best if the Ethiopians can hold on a little longer since the AU is broke in terms of sponsoring other countries willing to send troops into the region, at least to maintain some sought of calmness in the northern part and also keep the general tempo on check.
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