Mogadishu - East Africa's Baqhdad

[Hiiraan boy]

By: Mohamed Abdi Farah

For the last three weeks, Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia saw killings and bombings targeting on the officials and soldiers in the transitional federal government which is now struggling for introducing security and stability in Banadir province. The city has been in chaos and politically instability for the past 16 years except six months ruled by the defeated Islamic Courts.

After the end of the bloodiest war in which heavy weapons were used and turned parts of Mogadishu into ashes, the allied forces of Somalia and Ethiopia were said to have won over the local insurgents. In return, the insurgents started low level but very effective violence including suicide bombings, hit and run missions and hunting high-profile government officials.

Despite the authorities of Mogadishu city's claim that they are making changes to the situation in which the capital indulged, killings and explosions rage claiming lives of many government officials.

In Mogadishu, within the past few weeks, several district commissioners, security officers and soldiers were gunned down as the government is leaving every stone unturned to create peaceful environment for holding the long awaited national reconciliation conference which is expected to take place in mid June.

Up to five district commissioners in the transitional government had been assassinated in ambush attacks which took place in Mogadishu by unknown assailants.

The killings on the government officials and explosions including hurling bombs and suicide blasts by cars mounted with explosives which aimed at the government positions and their allied Ethiopian forces continue undeterred.

The authority in Banadir province cast the blame of all these acts of organized killings and bombings on the leaders of Hawiye clan who at the same time distanced themselves from the allegation as baseless.

In accordance with the muddle in Mogadishu, it is little bit resembling Iraq crisis in which many lives are lost daily. The analysts in the war-ravaged horn of African nation (Somalia) say if Mogadishu continues in the escalation of insecurity it will gradually takes the deadly and bloody path of Iraq which is known for assassinations, attacks and suicide bombings.

Mogadishu is now slipping into the road of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq where the world media contest for its war developments.

Earlier, a retired US official said the current problem in Mogadishu is based on the objection by the interim government to the leaders of the ousted Islamists which definitely already earned broader public support in Mogadishu for their job on security and peace.

The TFG said it won’t negotiate with the ICU leaders while the Islamists conditioned that Ethiopian forces withdraw from Somalia to start talks with the government.

[*Arabman]

Good analysis by Mohamed Abdi Farah.