Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mogadiscio (Fides Service)- A shaky treaty has been agreed in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, where hostilities between Ethiopian troops and Somali rebels connected with fundamentalism have now ceased. More than 1,400 civilians were killed in fighting from the end of March and the last ten days. The number of military killed has not be revealed.
After days of fierce fighting the Ethiopian army, allied with Somalia's transitional government recognised by the international community, would appear to have got the better of the insurgents. Ethiopian troops are combing the districts of the capital in search of rebels who did not manage to leave the city.
The people are collecting the bodies still lying in the streets. Local eyewitnesses say men in government army uniforms have been sacking shops and extorting money from the few citizens who dare to venture onto the streets. The vice defence minister promised to send special forces to protect citizens goods.
Mogadishu is a ghost city: since February over 400,000 people have abandoned the capital, the hospitals have reached a point of collapse and the sanitation-hygiene situation is terrible. Several districts of the capital suffered serious damage from shelling and canon fire during the battles.
The situation of the displaced person is precarious: with no assistance they have sought shelter in villages and towns around Mogadishu, sleeping in the open, exposing themselves to the elements and the violence of bandits. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/4/2007 righe 24 parole 254)
