Chaos in Somalia over key town

2005-05-30 11:03

Mogadishu - Militias led by two lawmakers in Somalia's new parliament fought for control of a major southwestern trading centre on Monday, the latest indication of divisions in the country's transitional administration. At least six people were reported killed.

The battle began at 03:00 when fighters from a clan faction allied to neighbouring Ethiopia attacked Baidoa by mortars and other heavy weapons after several colleagues infiltrated the town.

A journalist for a local radio said he saw the bodies of at least six civilians, who were killed while trying to flee the battle. Residents reached by telephone said combatants were fighting with anti-aircraft guns mounted on trucks, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles.

The assailants, commanded by lawmaker Hassan Mohamed Nur Shargudud, are trying to seize the town from a group led by Mohamed Ibrahim Habsadeh. The two men have disagreed about where the new government, currently in exile in Kenya, should be established and the role of Ethiopian troops as peacekeepers to protect the interim government.

Ethiopian-backed Somali warlords — now lawmakers — and Ethiopian-backed President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed have suggested setting up the new government in Baidoa and in Jowhar, both about 80km north of Mogadishu, because the capital is too dangerous. Yusuf has also called for Ethiopian and other regional peacekeepers to protect the new government.

Habsadeh and other Somali leaders who consider Ethiopia an enemy have rejected both proposals, causing a split among the warlords who took part in the peace process to form the new government. Mediators have said, while a government was formed, reconciliation efforts have stalled, placing the peace process danger.

Islamic fundamentalists, who make up a relatively small percentage of Somalis, have also opposed the new government.

- AP