Somali President Deposed in Coup D' Etat
BAIDOA. 25 September, 2006. Somalia's fledgling transitional federal government was dealt major blow this evening when its President Abdullahi Yusuf was overthrown in a coup. Details remain sketchy but based on local news reports, President Yusuf is said to have been placed under house arrest. Several members of his cabinet have fled the city. The whereabouts of the Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi remain unknown.
Hundreds of militiamen loyal to local warlord, Ibrahim Habsade, were reported to be patrolling the dusty streets of the transitional capital. Government military forces are said to have refused to leave their barracks in defense of the President; signifying the possibility of a split with in their ranks.
Tension remains high in the city due to reports of incursions into Somalia by the Ethiopian military. The neighboring country's government had previously stated it would defend the fledging government from the Islamic Courts Union who had in recent week advanced to within 60 kilometers of the city.
Ahmed Ali Ismail
Local Correspondent for REUTERS
Heavy Fighting Reported in Somali Transitional Capital
Heavy fighting rocked the southwestern town of Baidoa this evening, as forces loyal to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia clashed with militiamen of the Rahwein Resistance Army (RRA) Chairman, Ebrahim Habasade. The clashes ignited at approximately 9.00pm this evening. Fighting was sparked after the shooting of a key RRA milita commander by TFG soldiers for allegedly violating the night time curfew imposed on the town. As reports of the killing spread, sporadic small pitched street battles broke out all over town pitting RRA militia against government forces.
Communication with the city has been hampered by the shut down of telephone service. Based on a few sketchy reports coming out of Baidoa, via VHF shortwave radio, the heaviest fighting is around the President's residence.
Kowsar Jima'ale
25 September, 2006
AFP
