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SOMALIA: DIVIDED AS EVER September 19, 2005
Accusations and counter-accusations fly in Somalia as southern politicians get more divided than ever before. Members of anti-government movement headed by Mogadishu faction leaders are discussing ways to defeat the infant government in Jowhar, 90 Km. northeast of Mogadishu.
Mohamed Qanyare Afrah who controls Dayniile and pockets in Mogadishu spoke with the media yesterday and said his group is doing whatever it takes to save Somalia and its people from Ethiopia and its puppy, referring to President Abdulahi Yusuf. Many parliament members including the speaker are in Mogadishu and back Mr. Qanyare and his friends.
Pro-government faction leader Mohamed Omar Habeb whose militia controls Jowhar accused former president Abdiqasim Salad Hassan of meddling with government affairs. "Abdiqasim is forging alliances among warlords to get enough power to topple the government but this government is not that weak." He said. Mr. Hassan headed now defunct interim government which was established in Djbouti in 2000.
President Abdulahi Yussuf Ahmed, who attended last week’s United Nations conference in New York, asked the UN Security Council to lift arms embargo against Somalia so that his government and other nations who are planning to send peacekeeping soldiers will be able to bring in weapons for self-defense. Mogadishu anti-government group believes those weapons the president wants to import will be used to attack Mogadishu and doesn’t favor the lift.