Somalia govt delegation in Kismayo to diffuse situation

[Hiiraan boy]

Somalia govt delegation in Kismayo to diffuse situation
26 Apr 26, 2007 - 2:45:25 PM

KISMAYO, Somalia Apr 26 (Garowe Online) - The Somali transitional federal government dispatched a delegation that included Cabinet ministers and parliamentarians to the southern port of Kismayo on Wednesday in efforts to diffuse and stabilize the city violent clashes amongst government troops earlier in the week.

The delegation, led by Interior Minister Mohamed “Gamodheere” Mohamud, met with elders and politicians who represent both sides of the conflict Thursday afternoon at a local hotel, sources said.

Fighting erupted in the strategic port town on Monday between government soldiers who quickly divided along clan lines. At least 16 people were killed and 57 others wounded in the single-day battle, but locals say more people were killed. [ Full story]

Interior Minister Gamodheere and his delegation met with representatives from the Marehan clan whose soldiers-turned-clan gunmen assumed control of the city and looted government property, including heavy weapons and munitions.

Hassan Mohamed Ali, a spokesman for the Marehan elders who attended the meet, told Garowe Online that they [Marehan] had accepted a government request to return the looted weapons back to the Somali ministry of defense.

But he said the Marehan elders and politicians were still discussing the issue of allowing government troops, led by Col. Abdirizaq Afgaduud, to return to the town.

Afgaduud belongs to the Majerteen clan, which has historically been at odds with Marehan politicians over Kismayo. Both sub-clans are part of the larger Darod clan-family.

Inside sources said the Marehan elders handed Interior Minister Gamodheere a document detailing the events of Monday, April 23, adding that some elders specifically requested that Col. Afgaduud be replaced with another commander.

The Interior Minister’s delegation also met with representatives from the Kablalah community, another Darod bloodline that includes the Majerteen.

Independent sources at the meet said the Somali government delegation asked the Kablalah leadership to cease efforts to bring back government troops belonging to their clan until a peaceful resolution is reached.

Kablalah elders in Kismayo contacted by Garowe Online expressed increasing anger at Monday’s violence, saying that 39 clansmen were killed and 58 others wounded.

“Some of the unarmed victims were shot in the head, executed,” one elder said by telephone.

Later on in the day, Gamodheere’s delegation visited the port of Kismayo, which has been inactive in recent days.

Information Minister Madobe Nunow, who was part of the delegation, pledged that port operations would soon resume and the government would resolve the political standoff in the city.

[kadarre]

Proof that Puntland boys are sissies.