This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6230809.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Somali militia group 'surrounded' | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Somali troops backed by Ethiopian forces are fighting about 600 Islamist militiamen in the south of the country, says an interim government spokesman. | |
Abdirahman Dinari told the BBC soldiers had surrounded the remnants of the fleeing militia near the Kenyan border and clashes could end by Friday. | |
US naval forces are deployed off the Somali coast to prevent leaders of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) escaping. | |
The UIC controlled much of Somalia until retreating over the past 10 days. | |
Kenya's government has shut its border with Somalia, despite UN criticism. | |
Location of militias and US Navy patrols | |
Meanwhile, talks are continuing across the region to try to secure an African Union peacekeeping force for Somalia. | |
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer have been in Ethiopia meeting Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. | |
Ms Frazer is expected for high level discussions with African leaders and other international representatives in Nairobi on Friday. | Ms Frazer is expected for high level discussions with African leaders and other international representatives in Nairobi on Friday. |
In other developments: | |
| |
| |
| |
Weapons demand | Weapons demand |
Sources: Somali government, UN, correspondents | |
Interim Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi, who said earlier he believed the bulk of the fighting was over, had given the residents until today to surrender arms. | Interim Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi, who said earlier he believed the bulk of the fighting was over, had given the residents until today to surrender arms. |
SOMALIA IN NUMBERS Ethiopia troops: 8,000-15,000Government troops: 10,000Islamists: 600 near Kenyan border; 3,500 around MogadishuRecently displaced: 30,000Refugees in Kenya: 160,000 Estimated numbers Sources: Somali government, UN, correspondents | |
But few residents have responded to the call and the demand for AK-47 rifles, hand grenades and land mines has risen. | But few residents have responded to the call and the demand for AK-47 rifles, hand grenades and land mines has risen. |
In a city of two million people, there are an estimated one million weapons. | In a city of two million people, there are an estimated one million weapons. |
Mr Ghedi is reported to have said forcible disarmament will begin at the weekend. | Mr Ghedi is reported to have said forcible disarmament will begin at the weekend. |
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in the capital says although calm has returned, tension is high and people fear anarchy may return to Mogadishu. | The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in the capital says although calm has returned, tension is high and people fear anarchy may return to Mogadishu. |
Power vacuum threat | Power vacuum threat |
Ethiopia sent heavily armed troops into Somalia to back up forces loyal to the transitional government after accusing the UIC of having links with al-Qaeda. | Ethiopia sent heavily armed troops into Somalia to back up forces loyal to the transitional government after accusing the UIC of having links with al-Qaeda. |
They swept the Islamist militias from areas they had controlled for six months, but the Islamists said their retreat was tactical and threatened to launch an insurgency. | They swept the Islamist militias from areas they had controlled for six months, but the Islamists said their retreat was tactical and threatened to launch an insurgency. |
I still hope that key AU members will be glad to associate their name in what I believe is the most important peace undertaking in the recent history of Africa AU's Said Djinnit Fragile peace fuels fears African press frets | I still hope that key AU members will be glad to associate their name in what I believe is the most important peace undertaking in the recent history of Africa AU's Said Djinnit Fragile peace fuels fears African press frets |
Ethiopia's prime minister has made it clear he wants to withdraw his troops within the next few weeks. | Ethiopia's prime minister has made it clear he wants to withdraw his troops within the next few weeks. |
The Ethiopians want international peacekeepers to be deployed to prevent a vacuum which would allow the re-emergence of former warlords who controlled the country since 1991. | The Ethiopians want international peacekeepers to be deployed to prevent a vacuum which would allow the re-emergence of former warlords who controlled the country since 1991. |
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has offered to commit 1,000 troops to a 8,000-strong regional peace force. | Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has offered to commit 1,000 troops to a 8,000-strong regional peace force. |
The AU commissioner for peace and security said he hoped other African countries would contribute to a peacekeeping force. | The AU commissioner for peace and security said he hoped other African countries would contribute to a peacekeeping force. |
"I still hope that key AU members will be glad to associate their name and the name of their country in what I believe is the most important peace undertaking in the recent history of Africa," Said Djinnit told the BBC's Network Africa programme. | "I still hope that key AU members will be glad to associate their name and the name of their country in what I believe is the most important peace undertaking in the recent history of Africa," Said Djinnit told the BBC's Network Africa programme. |
Return to top | Return to top |