17 die in clashes at Mogadishu market
Jun 03, 2011
SEVENTEEN people died on Thursday in clashes between Islamist rebels and AU-backed Somali government forces for the control of Mogadishu’s main market.
By Milton Olupot
and Henr. Mukasa
SEVENTEEN people died on Thursday in clashes between Islamist rebels and AU-backed Somali government forces for the control of Mogadishu’s main market.
The French news agency AFP yesterday reported that they died when when stray artillery fire hit a bus station.
“At least 17 dead civilians have been counted and nine of them were killed after artillery fire struck a bus station near Arafat hospital,†Ali Muse, head of the Mogadishu ambulance service said.
Tension has been building around Bakara market, a stronghold of al Shabaab rebels, for the last 10 days and most traders moved their wares out several days ago. The al Shabaab had been digging in trenches inside the market, while government and AU forces were advancing from three directions.
Meanwhile, the UN Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga has said bickering among the Somalia Transitional Federal Institutions is threatening to breakdown the efforts to restore governance in the war-torn country.
The Transitional Federal Parliament has extended its term for three years and passed a motion to hold elections for Speaker and President in July and August, without consulting the executive.
Mahiga, while opening the International Contact Group for Somalia conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Friday, said the parliament’s action had invited unwelcome reactions from the International Community.
The Federal Transitional Government (TFG), he said, had however, proposed to postpone elections for one year in light of the current security successes.
“We believe elections, particularly in the Somali context will create political instability that could dampen the spirit of the victorious troops and the public,†he said.
The TFG term expires on August 23, and President Yoweri Museveni, while opening the conference, warned that Uganda could pull out her peacekeepers if a disruptive process is allowed that would enable militants re-organise.
The President said he would prefer the extension of the TFG term as opposed to proposals for acrimonious presidential elections or declaring expiry of AMISOM.
and Henr. Mukasa
SEVENTEEN people died on Thursday in clashes between Islamist rebels and AU-backed Somali government forces for the control of Mogadishu’s main market.
The French news agency AFP yesterday reported that they died when when stray artillery fire hit a bus station.
“At least 17 dead civilians have been counted and nine of them were killed after artillery fire struck a bus station near Arafat hospital,†Ali Muse, head of the Mogadishu ambulance service said.
Tension has been building around Bakara market, a stronghold of al Shabaab rebels, for the last 10 days and most traders moved their wares out several days ago. The al Shabaab had been digging in trenches inside the market, while government and AU forces were advancing from three directions.
Meanwhile, the UN Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga has said bickering among the Somalia Transitional Federal Institutions is threatening to breakdown the efforts to restore governance in the war-torn country.
The Transitional Federal Parliament has extended its term for three years and passed a motion to hold elections for Speaker and President in July and August, without consulting the executive.
Mahiga, while opening the International Contact Group for Somalia conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Friday, said the parliament’s action had invited unwelcome reactions from the International Community.
The Federal Transitional Government (TFG), he said, had however, proposed to postpone elections for one year in light of the current security successes.
“We believe elections, particularly in the Somali context will create political instability that could dampen the spirit of the victorious troops and the public,†he said.
The TFG term expires on August 23, and President Yoweri Museveni, while opening the conference, warned that Uganda could pull out her peacekeepers if a disruptive process is allowed that would enable militants re-organise.
The President said he would prefer the extension of the TFG term as opposed to proposals for acrimonious presidential elections or declaring expiry of AMISOM.