Somalia: New government promise peace situation

Source: CCTV.com | 12-30-2006 09:12

In Mogadishu, Somalia's prime minister has promised thousands of Somalis peace and stability.

The Western-backed leader was installed with a help from Ethiopia, which forced out the ruling Islamic movement. But many Somalis are suspicious of the new government.

In Mogadishu, people are now free to walk the streets as peace re-visited the city.

The government says the situation is stable and very promising, though they believe some Islamic forces are still in the vicinity of the city.

Seyoum Mesfin, Somali Foreign Minister, said, "The government is discussing the guaranteeing of or ensuring security in the city, and discussing it with all leaders of the communities in Mogadishu."

Somalia's president thanked Ethiopian troops for their help, and said the troops would stay in Somalia as the government was "not up to the level of taking back the entire country overnight."

He vowed to pursue those still willing to fight for the Islamic group.

Meanwhile, many Somalis - the majority of whom are Muslim - are deeply suspicious of the secular government's close ties to neighboring Ethiopia.

Hashi Abdulle Abikar, secretary general Somali Civil Society Congress, said, "My feeling about the intervention of Ethiopian troops - one idea is the government will be responsible. Everything, or every effort from the troops they are responsible. And other side, Somali people, feels the intervention is like colonialism."

In some neighborhoods of Mogadishu, dozens of young men hurled stones at convoys of Ethiopian troops deployed alongside Somali forces to retake the city and secure the airport.

 

Editor:Du Xiaodan