Somalia's govt in turmoil

2006-07-28 08:39

Mohamed Olad Hassan

Baidoa - Somalia's virtually powerless government was unravelling as a fifth of its cabinet resigned in disgust and the administration's Islamic rivals took over the presidential palace in the capital of Mogadishu.

Eighteen key ministers in the 102-member cabinet said on Thursday their government had failed to bring peace to this chaotic African nation as it emerged from 15 years of anarchy.

The leadership had no power outside its base in Baidoa, 250km from the capital.

According to a letter of resignation issued by the MPs: "We have seen that the government can't carry out national reconciliation and development."

The MPs included the ministers for domestic co-operation and for planning and international relations.

MPs 'opposed to troops from Ethiopia'

According to the MPs, a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Gedi had already been issued and would be debated in parliament on Saturday.

Government spokesperson Abdirahman Mohamed Dinari said Gedi had not decided whether to accept the resignations.

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, which had seized control of the capital and much of southern Somalia.

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.

Barre ousted in 1991

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, a senior member 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."

The complex, known as Villa Somalia, sat on high ground with access to the harbour and the airport. The last Somali leader to live there was dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, who was ousted in 1991.

The country soon descended into armed camps ruled by violence and clan law, and members of a Mogadishu clan - loyal to the Aidid family - controlled the compound for the past 15 years.

Somalia had been without an effective central government since warlords toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991 and later turned on each other, carving much of the country into armed camps ruled by violence and clan law.

The government was established nearly two years ago with the support of the United Nations, but it had been wracked by infighting.

- AP