Somalia: 2nd 'arms' plane lands

2006-07-28 12:56

Mogadishu - A cargo plane delivered tons of unidentified equipment on Friday to the Islamic militia that controlled Somalia's capital for the second time this week, fueling fears that this country could plunge back into civil war.

Fighters loyal to the Supreme Islamic Courts Council closed roads around Mogadishu International Airport and chased away onlookers while the aircraft was unloaded.

A similar plane arrived on Wednesday, and officials from Somalia's largely powerless government claimed Eritrea was sending arms to the Islamic militants.

Islamic courts officials and Eritrea both denied the accusation.

The Iluyshin-76, with Kazakhstan Airways markings, could carry up to 52 000kg of cargo. The former Soviet republic frequently made its planes available for charter.

18 key ministers resign

The government, which had no power outside its base in Baidoa, 250km from the capital, had watched helplessly in recent weeks as Islamic militants seized control of Mogadishu and much of southern Somalia.

The fragile administration began unraveling on Thursday after 18 key ministers in the 102-member cabinet resigned, saying the government had failed to bring peace as the chaotic African nation emerged from 15 years of anarchy.

A letter of resignation issued by the MPs, who included the ministers for domestic co-operation and for planning and international relations, said: "We have seen that the government cannot carry out national reconciliation and development."

The MPs said that a motion of no-confidence in Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Gedi had already been issued and would be debated in parliament on Saturday.

On Friday, Gedi said he would defend himself before parliament on Saturday and accused the former cabinet ministers of trying to bring down his government.

All accusations 'are baseless'

He said: "The resignation of these ministers will not effect the government. All of their accusations are baseless."

The MPs also said they were opposed to troops from neighbouring Ethiopia who were sent here to protect the government from the Supreme Islamic Courts Council's militia.

The Islamic militants' increasing power had prompted grave concerns in the United States, which accused the group of harbouring al-Qaeda leaders responsible for deadly 1998 bombings at the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

] The Islamic group's imposition of strict religious courts also had raised fears of an emerging Taliban-style regime.

On Thursday, the militia said it was setting up a religious court inside the vast complex in Mogadishu that once served as the country's presidential palace - a highly symbolic move that further marginalised the official administration.

Abdirahman Janaqaw of the Supreme Islamic Courts Council said: "This is the place where Somalia will be ruled from and we appreciate your co-operation with the courts."

- AP