AFRICA/SOMALIA - Quarrel among merchants caused clashes in Mogadishu in which at least 100 died

Mogadishu (Fides Service) - A simple quarrel between merchants which degenerated into a real battle with heavy weapons. This was the scenario of recent clashes over recent days in Mogadishu; capital of Somalia, in which at least one hundred people were killed. “It all started with a dispute between shop keepers belonging to two different minor Abgal clans” Bishop Giorgio Bertin, Bishop of Djibouti and Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu told Fides. In the complex physiognomy of Somalia very often clans split into minor groups and even smaller groups.
“This latest in a series of episodes demonstrates once again the evil consequences of the anarchy which has reigned in Somalia for almost 13 anni” Bishop Bertin told Fides. “In command are not only so-called warlords but also wealthy merchants each with their own armies to defend their interests”.
“The absence of state able to guarantee civilians a minimum of protection is a problem a growing problem for the people although they are unable to come to an agreement for re-creating a stable administration” Bishop Bertin told Fides.
For 18 months in Nairobi, capital of in Kenya, Somalia parties have been negotiating to try to build a unitary government, but without any success so far.
Since January 1991 when former President Siad Barre was ousted, Somalia has had no unitary state administration. The country is split in three parts: Somaliland, in the north, with a government which has declared its secession from the rest of Somalia, Puntland, which claims autonomy with a future Somalo state and the rest of the country commanded by various local powers. In Mogadishu there is a government which has no power over the rest of the country. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 1/6/2004, righe 27 parole 330)