By ABDULKADIR KHALIF
Special Correspondent
The sight of burning tyres, roadblocks, motorists escaping violent youths hurling stones — none of this is new to Mogadishu residents. But in recent days, protesters have been shouting Allahu-Akbar (God is great), the slogan of the Union of the Islamic Courts (UIC).
The demonstrations were in reaction to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) order to members of the public to surrender their arms, especially in the Somali capital whereby TFG forces and Ethiopian troops have established collection centres.
“We are not going to surrender our weapons to Ethiopians — our arch enemy,” shouted a protester. “We want the Ethiopian forces out of our country first.”
The latest protests generated havoc in the city. Blocked traffic routes, closed businesses and deserted streets were some of the consequences.
Business people generally react to such riots by coming out of their premises with guns.
“We often fire into the air to scare away troublemakers,” said a trader who requested anonymity. “We know they are orchestrated by hatemongers.”
During the demonstrations, several people were killed and others injured. Though such incidents are not new in Mogadishu, the latest riots have been particularly scary.
These nasty skirmishes, sometimes even involving government forces and Ethiopian troops, can be considered a prelude of worse things to come,” remarked Ali Eyow Afrah, a Mogadishu resident.
When the UIC, which ruled most of the southern and central regions of Somalia for six months, was defeated by pro-TFG forces, their leaders vowed to resort to resistance.
“Our fighters will bite the TFG and Ethiopian forces very hard,” Sheikh Mohamud Ibrahim Suley, a spokesman of the UIC, remarked before going underground.
Talk of defeated forces resorting to resistance was automatically assumed to mean Iraqi-style attacks.
The suspected suicide bombing in September 2006 targeting President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed in Baidoa, the temporary seat of the TFG, was a unique case but one that could trigger future copycat actions. Another incident when a saloon car allegedly from Mogadishu exploded at Bakin checkpoint at the outskirts of Baidoa in October further illustrated the threat.
Another threat left behind by the UIC leaders who are now in hiding is landmines, including remote controlled explosive devices.
“Innocent civilians could fall victims of mines,” observed a concerned citizen.
Since early June last year when Mogadishu came under the control of the UIC, gunfire has been rarely heard. Even the dealers at Cirtoogte (the famous gun market) were not allowed to test their weapons inside the town.
The UIC rule in Mogadishu came on December 27 last year. Since then, the TFG has supposedly been in charge. Unfortunately, roadblocks have cropped up again in parts of the city. Hooligans are roaming the streets and looting.
The most dramatic attack on innocent civilians occurred on January 3 when a vehicle was hit with a grenade hurled from a launcher at Galgalato area on the eastern outskirts of Mogadishu. Loss of lives and destruction of property resulted, apparently caused by a driver refusing to pay illegal tax demanded at a roadblock.
Long distance drivers and owners protested outside the premises where Prof Ali Mohammed Ghedi, the TFG’s Prime Minister, has established his temporary office. “When the Islamists were here, no one could erect a roadblock with demands for illegal payments,” recalled a protester. “Criminals were simply scared by the Islamists issuing threats that they would have their leg and arm cut off if apprehended and found guilty.”
Explosions, sporadic gun fire, looting and other forms of insecurity have been on the increase. Despite rising tensions, community elders, civil society actors and influential individuals have begun consulting with government leaders, urging them to handle the security issue with care.
The business community, civil society advocates, religious leaders and many others have all used their persuasive powers to urge members of the public to refrain from acts that incite more anarchy. The youth was particularly targeted as the groups that may readily cause trouble. They were advised to assemble at demobilisation centres.
A peace commission was appointed by Prime Minister Ghedi on January 7 in Mogadishu. Its members are expected to use their expertise on peace, reconciliation and conflict resolution issues to preach the benefits of maintaining peace.
“We want our people to choose peace to living in hell on earth,” said Madina Generale, one of the peace commissioners.
President Abdullah Yusuf Ahmed arrived in the capital from his temporary base in Baidoa town, 240 km southwest of Mogadishu. It was his first visit to the city since he was elected in Kenya at the end of a two-year Somali reconciliation conference in October 2004.
The president’s arrival and settling at Villa Somalia, the state house in Mogadishu, may offer the best opportunity for peace lobbyists yet. Others fear it may spark more violence against the Ethiopian forces .
Whatever the future holds, Mogadishu is a city whose inhabitants are resisting anarchy. Those who have experienced 16 years of civil war have learnt that anarchy does not benefit the country.
Source: The East African, Jan 15, 2007