Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) – The situation in Somalia has worsened, as the conflict between two sides of the Islamic Courts, the “moderate” (as Western mass media defines them) which has taken control of the national transitional government, and the “extremists” who are linked to the “Shebab” movement, continues. The two are vying for control of Somalia's south-central region, and the capital city of Mogadishu.
On March 17, the “Shebab” had an important victory, conquering the strategic city of Johwar, 90 kilometers north of Mogadishu, and are now headed for Beledweyne. Twenty kilometers from there, several witnesses have seen Ethiopian troops arrive with heavy-duty equipment. Ethiopia had officially withdrawn its forces from Somalia last January, however they continue to follow events in the country with concern. A spokesman from Ethiopia's Foreign Affairs Department has, however, denied the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia, saying that “it is a completely made-up story. We have no plans for entering Somalian territory.”
There is also a small contingent of the African Union forces in Somalia. These are made up of Ugandan and Burundian soldiers who are supposed to be supporting the transitional government of President Sheikh Ahmed. The advance of the “Shebab” in the region of Mid Shebeli, near the capital, is a strong call of alert to the President. The majority of people in the area are, in fact, members of the important clan of the Abgal, that of the President, which had maintained a kind of feudal system in the area. President Ahmed seems, however, to have lost the consensus between the population for the weakness of the his governing, his unfulfilled promises for aid, and for the use of nepotism and favoritism in managing the government and administration.
The rebels now control the majority of central and southern Somalia and continue to receive new arms, from Eritrea it seems as well. It appears that Ethiopia and Eritrea have in fact begun an indirect war in Somalia. This is also aggravated by interests from international terrorist networks who are interested in making Somalia their home base, and the interests of the various powers to control access to the Red Sea, in which Somalia plays a key role.
It is a delicate situation, in which those who pay the price are always the civilians. According to the UNHCR, 42,000 people have fled Mogadishu since May 7, when fighting broke out between Islamic fundamentalists and government troops. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 19/05/2009)
