against transitional government

10.000 demonstrate in Somalia amid anti-Ethiopia chants

06/16/2006

All the Islamic leaders from the Abgal clan attended the rally in central Mogadishu, where protesters also chanted "God is Great!'' and held signs declaring: "We don't want the transitional government.''

About 10,000 people demonstrated against Somalia's transitional government and its proposal for a foreign peacekeeping mission, gathering Friday in a capital controlled by Islamic militia who also hold most of the country's south.

"We can form a government on our own!" they chanted, and: "No Ethiopia, No Ethiopian government!'' in the second public protest in as many days against the Somali transitional parliament's vote Wednesday in favor of a plan for the deployment of Ugandan and Sudanese peacekeepers to help the government try to establish stability and its authority.

The proposal was limited to Uganda and Sudan to allay fears troops from traditional rival Ethiopia would be included in any peacekeeping mission. But many Somalis think any foreign troop project could be an opening for Ethiopia, seen as an ally of transitional President Abdullahi Yusuf.

All the Islamic leaders from the Abgal clan attended the rally in central Mogadishu, where protesters also chanted "God is Great!'' and held signs declaring: "We don't want the transitional government.''

Speaking at the demonstration organized by supporters of the Islamic Courts Union, the group directing the militias, its Deputy Chairman Sheikh Abdukadir Ali Omar said that parliament's vote was unacceptable.

"Now the members of parliament have only two options: to reverse their decision or to join Somalia's enemy!" the peacekeepers, Omar shouted.

But there appeared to be some division with the Islamic Courts Union. Some moderate leaders advocated holding talks with Yusuf's government while others appeared to be ready to form their own government. Yusuf's government is supported by Somalia's neighbors, the United Nations, the United States and the European Union, so opposing it could mean regional and international isolation and possibly crippling sanctions for any administration the Islamic forces try to build.
Source: www.eitb24.com