NAIROBI, Kenya — For the workmen racing to spruce up a bullet-studded police garage in time for a critical peace summit beginning Sunday in Somalia, the work got a little tougher this week when insurgents launched mortars at the site.
The message was as clear as ever: Somalia’s transitional government is in trouble.
Diplomats say the conference on political reconciliation may be the government’s last chance to hold onto power against a growing Islamist insurgency and with one of its most powerful backers, the Bush administration, perhaps rethinking the military operation that brought the regime to power six months ago.
Since Ethiopian [Woyanne] troops, supported by U.S. training and intelligence, ousted an Islamist regime from the capital, Mogadishu, the government has been unable to control the city. Somali and Ethiopian forces face near-daily mortar attacks and assassination attempts by insurgents linked to the Islamists, who vowed Friday to disrupt the summit.
Public confidence in the government has plummeted further as security forces mount an offensive in insurgent neighborhoods, lobbing grenades into populated areas such as the busy Bakara marketplace. More than 50 people have been killed in the last two weeks, according to local hospitals, most of them civilians. Some eyewitnesses described the government strikes as indiscriminate.
The Bush administration linked the Islamist regime, known as the Council of Islamic Courts, to al-Qaida and said that its removal was necessary to keep the Horn of Africa from becoming a terrorist haven. Now administration officials appear to be reconsidering the wisdom of regime change.
A U.S. intelligence report sent to Congress on Wednesday painted a bleak picture of the future of the transitional government.
The government “is widely perceived by Somalis to be little more than a pawn of Ethiopia, yet its continued survival, certainly in Mogadishu, remains dependent on the support for the Ethiopian military,” said the report. “Continued turmoil could enable extremists to regain their footing and heighten inter-state tensions throughout the region.”
Last month, Jendayi Frazer, the State Department’s top Africa envoy, was quoted as saying about Somalia: “It’s hard to say whether it is better or worse off” since the Ethiopian invasion.
Referring to those comments, a Western diplomat in the region who helps formulate Somalia policy said, “They’re saying they got it wrong. But you can’t really recover from these mistakes.”
The official did not want to be named because of his criticism of U.S. policies. But he said Somalia was becoming the sort of magnet for foreign jihadists that the Bush administration sought to avoid.
“They’re getting guidance from outside Somalia, like Afghanistan or Pakistan. We’re in danger of seeing a re-emergence of an active African Somalia A.Q. (al-Qaida) cell,” the diplomat said, without elaborating.
Diplomats have been pressing the government to hold a reconciliation conference to begin building a stable, inclusive political system and ending the clan-based fighting that has plagued Somalia since 1991.
“This is the only scenario to avoid Somalia slipping back into civil war,” the official said. “We don’t have a Plan B.”
McClatchy special correspondent Mahad Elmi contributed from Mogadishu.
FAMILIES of the fallen soldiers killed during peacekeeping duties in Somalia have received $50,000 each as compensation from the African Union.
Payments to the relatives of Privates Ojok Kilama Lagole from Gulu, Julius Peter Ongu from Pader, Frederick Wanda from Kamuli, Osbert Tugume from Bushenyi and Corporal Rwegira Wilberforce, also from Bushenyi, were coordinated through the Ministry of Defence.
Four were killed in a bomb blast in Mogadishu on May 16, when their convoy was attacked.
Rwegira was killed by artillery fire on April 1 while guarding the presidential palace. Declared heroes by the Commander in Chief, President Yoweri Museveni, the dead soldiers were buried at their respective ancestral homes with full military honours, including gun salute.
Army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye confirmed the payments.
He also revealed that the deceased have since been replaced in Somalia, while eight others injured in the attacks have returned to their bases after being treated in different hospitals in Uganda and Kenya.
Those treated at Nairobi hospital in May were Fred Ssentogo, Boaz Kasswala, Peter Mucunguzi, Simon Tumusime, Sulait Labu and Odong Okoth.
Another soldier injured in the eye by shrapnel is still recovering in Kampala. All the soldiers briefly visited their homes before rejoining the AU forces.
“All is well. Our soldiers are doing well. They have so far received the March and April AU allowances,” said Kulaigye.
On top of their salaries, each of the peace keepers serving under AMISOM, the African Union Mission in Somalia, receive $412 monthly in allowances.
The Ugandan contingent, deployed in Somalia since March 6, are commanded by Col. Peter Elwelu. The over-all commander of the AU mission is also a Ugandan, Maj. Gen. Levy Karuhanga.
Uganda is the only country that has sent 1,500 troops out of the needed 8,000-strong force.
The peace-keepers are expected to take over from the Ethiopians, who ousted the Islamic Courts in March. Burundi promised to send troops this month. Nigeria, South Africa, Malawi and Ghana, who also pledged troops, are yet to deploy.
(AFP) – Stuck in the limbo of the bitter border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the town of Badme strives to grow even as fresh conflict brews.
Badme was at the heart of a bloody war that pitted the two enemies against each other between 1998 and 200O. A UN commission awarded the town to Eritrea two years later but Ethiopia has not handed it over.
Addis Ababa has vowed to return Badme but wants to negotiate the implementation of the ruling. Meanwhile, war clouds have started gathering again above this sleepy cluster of houses, flanked by sorghum and sesame plots.
Ethiopian infantry and armour are constantly involved in manoeuvres in the area. Eritrea’s military is deployed only a stone’s throw away.
“In some areas, soldiers from both sides are within shooting distance from one another. A single bullet fired can trigger a full-scale war,” says one UN employee on condition of anonymity.
Every month, some Eritreans risk their lives to cross the border and find refuge in Ethiopia. Non-governmental organisations say that between 250 and 300 of them arrive in the Shimbela camp alone every month.
After seven years of “no peace, no war”, Badme is seeking to develop, regardless of its uncertain future.
“The current population of Badme alone is almost 3,500, it is about 7,800 if the surrounding villages are put into consideration,” says Tilahun Gebremedhin, the town’s administrator.
“Population growth has been maintained each year since 2000, when it was around 2,500. This is the result of both settlement from other areas, and from the return of people displaced during the war.”
Some 2,000 people settled in Badme from other parts of the country, he explains.
“The town’s agricultural output has increased by 42 percent, this shows that development plans are well under way,” Tilahun says.
Ethiopian President Meles Zenawi last month said he was beefing up his army on the border with Eritrea for fear of an attack.
Asmara, which gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993 following a 30-year war, denied acting aggressively but the escalating rhetoric fueled new fears of a resumption of hostilities between the two arch-foes.
In the eye of the storm, Badme residents obstinately hope that, short of a bona fide implementation of the 2000 Algiers peace agreement, a prolonged status quo will let them carry on with their lives.
“We have been anxious ever since we heard the news that Eritrean troops had infiltrated into the buffer zone and are preparing for war,” says 29-year-old Berihun, who has been living in Badme since 2000.
“But even so, I believe that some solution will be achieved to end all the misunderstanding.”
Gidei, 65, also refuses to imagine that a new war could erupt between the two Horn of Africa neighbours.
“Before arriving here 14 years ago, I was a refugee in Sudan. I became a member of the local militia soon after I arrived”, he says.
“We fought against the Eritrean army when they invaded, but as we were defeated, I had to go southwards and stay for nine months (the length of Eritrean army control).
“I never expected them to take control in the first place, nor did I expect them to stay more than nine months”, he adds.
As much as Badme’s current residents long for stability and hope to see their town turn into a thriving agricultural centre, few of them seem ready to make any concessions to Eritrea.
Tilahun makes little case of the UN commission ruling on Badme.
“It has always been, and always will be Ethiopian territory, we still don’t understand why they (Eritrea) fought against us. It’s just impossible to think otherwise.”
Cambridge dictionary defines it as ‘the spreading of people from one original country to other countries.’ While MSN Encarta writes ‘scattering of language, culture, or people: a dispersion of a people, language, or culture that was formerly concentrated in one place.’ The word ‘Diaspora’ has become a common reference when talking about Ethiopians outside the ‘Home Land.’ I like it because it connotes that there is a place called ‘Home.’
The fall of the Emperor ushered a new era of dispersion of Ethiopians. Starting in later part of the seventies, every decade has shown an increase in the number of immigrants that have left the homeland. We left for both political and/or economic reasons.
We left by plane, by foot, as contract workers, as DV Visa holders, as asylum seekers students and government workers. We will never know how many perished in the jungles and deserts of Africa. We settled legally or illegally. We have become contributing members to our host countries. We are regarded highly by most of our friends and coworkers. We are proud people.
Here in the US we have settled in all 51 States. We have a wide variety of representation in many professions. In some municipality such as Washington DC, Los Angles, Seattle, we have carved out our own niche; represented by U Street, Little Ethiopia, and 12th.St. This shows our resourcefulness and how we are capable of coming together.
What is unique about us is that we cannot live without each other. When one travels the length and breath of this country, it will be impossible to find an Ethiopian alone. Our magnetic field is very strong.
On occasion we engage in self-flagellation. We complain about “Abesha this and Abesha that”, but at the very moment we are eating Kitfo in an Ethiopian establishment with our Ethiopian friends. We have been known to whine a lot.
The Diaspora dreams about home. The thought of going back home seems to be an essential part of living. We contribute a considerable amount by injecting much needed foreign currency into the economy. We have two weekly Ethiopian Airlines flights from Washington DC to Addis Ababa. The Diaspora spends millions for home construction, hotel expenses, assistance to family members, philanthropy and others. The Diaspora from North America, Africa, Europe, Australia or the Middle East consistently pours millions to help our country. The Diaspora where ever they may reside, love their country.
During the dark days of the Military Dictatorship the Diaspora was in disarray. Red terror was a dark moment in our history. ESUNA disintegrated, and EPRP was destroyed from within and without. The arrival of TPLF was welcomed. Some in the Diaspora uprooted and went home. It was a time of hope. The ‘Prague Spring’ was short lived. The new masters were just the other side of the same ugly coin.
Then it was time for the famous 2005 ‘General Election.’ Kinijit was a ray of light. We all said in unison ‘it is time to rebuild our country.’ Our hopes were quashed. The nightmare years are not over.
Aftermath of the election brought the well-documented massacre of July, and of November and imprisonment of all opposition party officials, active members, Civic leaders, Journalists and Human Right advocates. Zuwai, Sendafa, Bir Shelko, Dedessa, Shoa Robit, and Kolfe will live in infamy.
Following our rich tradition, we in the Diaspora rose up and spoke for our people. Support Chapters were formed in every continent. Marches were organized in every major city on the planet. Cape Town, Paris, Stockholm, Oslo, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Geneva, Washington DC, Dallas, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Denver, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Los Angles, Seattle, Portland, Vancouver BC, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Melbourne, Perth, and Tel Aviv, among many. We marched in the rain, we marched during a snowstorm, we marched in scorching sun and we had ‘Candle Light Vigils’ in front of every State House including the ‘White House.’
Due to the untiring effort of so may in the Diaspora, we were able to convince the US House of Representative to introduce a bill in support of our struggle for Democracy, The Rule of Law and Basic Human Rights in our homeland. This is a monumental achievement. Our European brothers and sisters were successful in getting the ‘European Parliament’ to pass a very strong resolution on our behalf.
All this victory came at a cost. Since the incarceration of the popularly elected leaders and other peace loving citizens the Diaspora is struggling to find a common voice. There have seen upheavals in the different organizations trying to define aims and objectives. It is a normal outcome of human associations. As varied as our background is our solutions will be varied too. We are in the process of forming democratic organization from the grass root level. Our culture is based on central authority. It is natural the two will clash.
The ‘Kinijit North America Support Organizations’ (KNAASO) are seventeen Chapters strong. They are based on the equality of chapters, Sovereignty of chapters and the rule of law. They are models of associations the future will be built on. There are people organized under EPRP, Hibret is represented in many States. OLF is a strong Organization with many branches. Civic organizations like “The Ethiopian America Civic Advocacy (http://www.eacamoveon.com/our_mission.php) and Coalition for HR 2003 (http://www.hr2003.org) are different avenues of participation for the Diaspora.
What ever association we belong to, we feel we are working to bring about change in our country. We still have not developed the tolerance necessary to work as one. But these are formative years. What matters is that we get involved and do what we believe is right and proper. Despite our constant bickering and endless recriminations we are showing progress and results. We should also remember that we are faced with a very cunning and rich adversary. The ‘gang in power’ has elevated the use of terror, disinformation, bribery and cooption unto an art form. In the short run they create havoc in our midst, but time is their enemy. As we look closer those who mislead, those who lie, those who have a personal agenda are exposed for what they are. Just like their master the ‘Woyane’ regime, the whole world will see them naked and shameless. Talk democracy but practice autocracy that is their motto.
Le us pledge to magnify our strength. Our shortcomings are many, but our achievements are something to be proud of. In an ideal world we will all march together to oppose tyranny and injustice. We will all speak in one voice. May be someday. Change of mind and character is an evolutionary process. Tolerance and respect for the opinion of others even when we do not agree is acquired not woven into our genetic makeup. As the Jews say during their Passover dinner “L’shanah haba’ah biyerushalayim — Next Year in Jerusalem.” It is an expression of hope fulfilling their dream of being a free people in their own land. I say to you ‘yememetaw amet be agerachin.’
We all have one goal, which is to see a free, democratic Ethiopia. We are on the right path. We shall win.
[AFP] – Kenenisa Bekele erased any doubts about his form ahead of next month’s World Championships in Japan with a record-breaking 3,000 metres win over Australia’s Craig Mottram at the rain-lashed British Grand Prix this morning (Australian time).
The Ethiopian, the Olympic and world 10,000 metres champion, burst clear with three laps to go as rain fell at the Don Valley Stadium and went nearly a lap in front.
Bekele’s time of 7 minutes, 26.69 seconds was a personal best and a new British allcomers’ record, beating the 7:29.69 run of Haile Gebrselassie, his compatriot, at London’s Crystal Palace eight years ago.
Mottram, who beat Bekele in September’s World Cup final, was way back in second, some nine seconds behind.
“It was a fantastic race,” Bekele said. “I’m happy to have ran so quickly especially in tough weather conditions.
“I have been training hard and this performance showed that I am at my best level.”
Australia’s Jana Rawlinson continued her successful comeback after giving birth by winning the 400m hurdles.
The former Jana Pittman, married to retired British hurdler Chris Rawlinson, won in a time of 54.60 as she geared up for Osaka.
Britain’s Natasha Danvers-Smith, runner-up to Rawlinson at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, was second in 55.31 with Sandra Glover of the United States third in 55.54.
It was 2003 world champion Rawlinson’s second win in three days after her success at Rome’s Golden League meeting on Friday.
The 400m race involving Olympic and world champion Jeremy Warriner and double-amputee Oscar Pistorius was marred by the weather.
Warriner stumbled out of the blocks and then stopped, as if expecting the starter to fire the recall gun.
But no recall came and Warriner let the field continue without him.
The wet conditions made life especially tough for Pistorius, who runs on carbon fibre blades attached to the legs below the knee.
He was last of those who finished and was subsequently disqualified for running outside his lane. American Angelo Taylor won in 45.25 seconds with Australia’s John Steffensen second.
Tyson Gay’s hopes of setting a 100m world record were frustrated by the weather, his winning time of 10.13 well outside Asafa Powell’s mark of 9.77.
MOGADISHU, July 15 (Reuters) – Suspected Islamist rebels fired mortar bombs at the opening ceremony of a Somali peace meeting on Sunday but missed their heavily-guarded target.
President Abdullahi Yusuf was addressing several hundred clan elders, ex-warlords and politicians at a former police compound in northern Mogadishu when the shells fell nearby.
“Anybody who wants to throw things at us, let him go ahead. We will not be cowed. The conference will go ahead,” Yusuf said moments before three explosions rumbled in the streets outside.
“Do not fear,” Yusuf said, as anxiety spread through the packed hall. “You will only die when your stated time comes.”
Islamist insurgents had vowed to attack the meeting. Local media said three civilians were hurt in the mortar blasts, but a senior police commander denied that.
“Three mortars were hurled from very far away,” said the officer, who declined to be named. “There were no casualties … We intend to tighten security even further.”
Moments after the blasts, the peace conference was adjourned until Thursday while the organisers waited for more delegates to reach the coastal capital.
Officials said most of the 1,350 invited participants from across the Horn of Africa nation had now arrived for the talks, which have been delayed twice due to security fears.
The conference is seen as the interim government’s best hope of securing peace and strengthening its legitimacy.
Yusuf’s administration has struggled to impose its authority on the impoverished country since ousting a hardline Islamic Courts movement from Mogadishu in late December.
Government troops and their Ethiopian [Woyanne] military allies ringed the venue, searching everyone entering the compound, while soldiers on tanks and trucks fitted with heavy guns looked on.
In the city’s sprawling Bakara Market, five government soldiers were wounded along with two civilians when suspected rebels threw two hand grenades at a patrol, witnesses said.
Violence fuelled by bitter clan rivalries has foiled 13 previous attempts to set up central rule in Somalia since dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991.
Envoys from several EU member states had planned to attend the opening ceremony, diplomats said, but were unable to when the United Nations cancelled their flight late on Friday.
When the talks get underway properly, they will focus on clan reconciliation, disarmament and sharing natural resources.
In his opening speech, Yusuf promised to set up regional administrations and hold a referendum on a Somali constitution, as well as organise a new national census. Many Somalis say his government should be talking to the insurgents instead.
