Somalia: Fighting Leaves 30 Dead

Mogadishu----Over 30 people have died and another 100 injured in the heavy artillery fighting between forces of Somalia’s breakaway Puntland region and a faction of the Islamic militia of Galkayou in central Somalia

The clashes are allegedly claimed to be involving two clans of the town but Puntland authorities said it was between its forces and the Al-Shabab linked group that saw death of Puntland’s paramilitary commander Col Mohamed Muse on Saturday.

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohammed Ali has appeal for an end to the fighting in the town, which divides between the regions of Galmudug and  Puntland, calling for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The Medecins Sans Frontieres doctors, who run a hospital in the town, have raised concern over the high number of civilian casualties in the fighting.

Leaders from the entire Somalia, Puntland and the semi-autonomous
central Galmudug region are holding a three-day reconciliation conference in
the capital, Mogadishu in efforts to end the country’s long-standing conflict.

The talks which began on Sunday are expected to focus on improving security, national reconciliation, a new constitution and other reforms, apart from providing a roadmap to realising peace in the war-torn region.

Somaliahas never known peace since ousting of dictatorial leader Siad Barre in 1991. The UN-backed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) formed in 2004 has faced much resistance from militia groups, weakening its efforts to restore peace in the Horn of
Africa nation.

Elsewhere the UN has raised alarm over rising rates of malnutrition and mortality in Somalia, warning of continuing spread of diseases. It says that situation in the region is deteriorating, and almost all parts in the south of the country could face famine.

The UN  held a press conference on Monday to present latest details of the famine. Over 12 million people in the Horn of Africa region have been affected by the drought, worst
ever experienced in decades.

Tripoli, Libya

Negotiations over Gaddafi Strong-hold Collapse


Libya’s interim government forces say negotiations with forces loyal to Col Muammar
Gaddafi holding the desert town of Bani Walid over peaceful handover have failed.

The National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters who are surrounding the town say that civilians in the town could not move and are feared could be shot or used as human shields by the outnumbered Gaddafi troops who are believed to be less than 100.

An NTC negotiator Abdullah Kenchil told the BBC that talks with the Gaddafi side had failed, saying that he was leaving it to the military commander to resolve it. He said the loyalist
forces had received their assurance of fair treatment and trial for alleged abuses if they laid down their weapons.

Rebel troops have closed in the city from three sides, sealing off any escape route. Speculated to be the possible hiding place for Col Gaddafi and other members of the family, the Bani Walid city, 150km south-east of Tripoli along Gaddafi’s birthplace of Sirte, Jufra and Sabha are the four remaining pockets under control of the beleaguered leader.

NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil said theGaddafi-held cities were being supplied with humanitarian aid and given time to surrender to avoid further bloodshed.

The interim authorities have also confirmed death of Col Gaddafi’s son, Khamis, who was killed alongside Muhammad, son of former spy chief Abdullah Senussi, in fighting near Tripoli and was buried near Bani Walid.

Saadi Gaddafi one of Gaddafi’s sons told CNN that his brother Saif al-Islam’s “aggressive” speech last week is to blame for the failed talks. Sources claim that the interim government is planning for talks with Bani Walid’s tribal elders, but Gaddafi's spokesman, has dismissed suggestions that the city is about to surrender, insisting that tribal leaders there were still loyal to the deposed leader.

Tension seems to build as a key Islamist military commander who has been instrumental in the revolt has called for resignation of all NTC leaders since role of the executive committee was no longer required, terming them as remnants of the old regime.

The remarks follows visit of the UN Secretary General special adviser Ian Martin to Tripoli, who said election process in the country needs to begin soon, and also set up a justice system that will promote national reconciliation.