I have no comment on that. If you know what he meant, by all means enlighten me.

untland "state" runs Puntland affairs unless an invisible equation of Puntland to the Republic is secrectly adapted. Castro, that was not one of mine.

Puntland is an autonomous state, created by its people to run their own affairs with or without the consent of the weak Transitional government. Puntland has decided enough, is enough when it comes to dealing with Mr Contradiction. It can no longer take Geedi seriously, that is the reason it will boycot PM office untill there is a change. Now JB, the question is can the TFG loose its only consistent support base? I think not...

Muslim leaders are rich, but their countries are poor. Apart from oild what do they export?

^^^ Your understanding of governments and the TFG is non existent. PM Geedi is the leader of the executive and it is his person that has reneged on the agreement he made with Puntland. Of course his removal will be up to the President and I for one view his nomination as one of the greatest mistakes the President ever made.

^^^ Geedi, is a very weak leader. He has this habit of contradicting himself at every turn. Castro, Geedi has spent more time in Puntland than Mogadishu. Puntland opened its arms to him and tolerated his utterances including the one regarding the secesionists.. Puntland views this deal with Raange as a very important step to developing the state. They worked hard to get the TFG on board and in fact gained the written support of both the President and Geedi himself. For him to back track now is absurd. He has shown a lack of respect towards Puntland, and that will only undermine his position and not the state..

^^^ It is in the constitution that Puntland as a stable state can not be interfered with untill the transitin ends. Unlike established states, it is Puntland that supports and funds and even welcomed the TFG to its country, unlike other parts Puntland has been the main pillar of support for the TFG. The MP's ministers and leaders from Puntland have supported the government from day one. I welcome this move, for Geedi mistook Puntland for something else..

EU to aid Somalia's transitional authority Posted to the Web May 20, 02:15 The European Commission (EC) has decided to provide 70 million euros (89 million U.S. dollars) for Somalia's transitional authority, said the commission on Friday. This package put emphasis on peace, security and good governance, said the executive body of the European Union (EU). It would help to make basic social services available to the poorest and most vulnerable people and would strengthen food security, the EC said. Somalia is one of the poorest nations in the world, with 43.2 percent of the population living on less than 1 dollar a day and an infant mortality rate estimated at a catastrophic 22 percent. Somalia has not had a functioning central government since the collapse of the Siad Barre regime in 1991, which ushered in 15 years of conflict between rival clans and factions. Following a National Reconciliation Conference, transitional federal institutions were formed in January 2005, comprising the transitional federal government and the transitional federal parliament. "The EU has never abandoned the Somali people in the past 15 years and this decision demonstrates the commitment of the EU to ensure Somalia's recovery and reconstruction," said Louis Michel, the European commissioner for development and humanitarian aid. Michel will travel to the war-torn country next month, the first visit by a European commissioner in 10 years. He said the transitional government and parliament in Somalia remain the only option for peace and stability. The aid package, called the Somalia Recovery Program, will provide immediate support to address Somalia's governance and security challenges, including consolidation of the transitional federal institutions, support for the delivery of social services, in particular of education, water and sanitation as well as rural development, and food security. Source: Xinhua

Scroll to the bottom of the horseednet page. Puntland link in English

Geedi is a persona non grata to Puntland.. Cade and his cabinet strike a real blow. Mr PM you do protest too much.. War Deg Deg Ah:::: Puntland oo kalsoonidii Kala noqotay Prof.Geedi Last Updated::2006-05-20 14:55:17 Garowe:- Qoraal kasoo baxay Madaxtooyada Puntland ayaa shaaca looga Qaaday in Dowlad Gobaleedka Soomaaliyeed ee Puntland ay si rasmi ah kalsoonidii ugala noqotay Raysalwasaare Cali Maxamed Geedi. Qoraalkan uu ku saxiixan yahay Madaxweynaha Puntland Md.Maxamuud Musse Xirsi (Cadde Musse) ayaa shaaca looga qaaday in Puntland ay mar danbe u dul qaadan doonin xad gudubyada uga imaanaya dhinaca Raysalwasaaraha Dowlada Federaalka Soomaaliya. Qoraalka oo jawaab u ah qoraal uu 18kii bishan soo saaray Prof.Cali Maxamed Geedi oo uu ku sheegay in Puntland aysan ku dhaqaaqi karin wax baaritaan ama soo saarid ah Batroolka. Qoraalka maanta kasoo baxay Madaxtooyada Puntland oo ku saxiixan yahay Madaxweynaha ayaa si kulul looga jawaabay hadalkii Cali Maxamed Geedi. Madaxweynaha Puntland ayaa qoraalkan ku sheegay inkastoo uu Waraaqdii Cali Geedi ku qoray inuu usoo diray Madaxweynaha Puntland, aysan warqadaasi soo gaarin Madaxtooyada Puntland, balse xukuumada ay ka aragtay Websiteyada INternetka. Arrintaasi oo ay dowlada Puntland ku sheegtay meel ka dhac in ay tahay. Qodobada ku qornaa Qoraalkii Geedi ayey dowlada Puntland jawaabo adag ka bixisay. - Qodobka ugu horeeyey ee Jawaabta Puntland ayaa lagu sheegay in Qoraalka Raysalwasaaraha uusan ahayn mid ka tarjumaya codka Dowlada Federaalka Balse ay tahay qoraal ku kooban xafiiska Geedi. - Qodobka labaad ee qoraalka ku qoran ayaa lagu sheegay in Dowlada Puntland horey usoo gaareen qoraalo lagu fasaxayo Baaritaanka Batroolka oo ka yimid Prof.Geedi, isla markaana qoraalkan ugu danbeeyey uu yahay mid muujinaya sida hadalada Geedi ay isu burinayaan. Dowlada Puntland ayaa ku sheegtay wax la yaab ah isbedalka ku yimid Raysalwasaare Geedi 8 bilood ee lasoo dhaafay. Dowlada Puntland ayaa sheegtay in ay horey ulla socod siisay dowlada Federaalka in ay bilaabeyso Baaritaanka Shidaalka iyo Gaaska isla markaana heshiisyadii hore ee Dowladii hore ee Soomaaliya ay yihiin kuwo hada wakhtigoodii dhamaaday, sidaa daraadeedna Puntland ay sharciyan xaquuq u leedahay barnaamijkeeda Baaritaanka Batroolka. Dowlada Puntland oo sheegtay in qoraalkii Geedi xambaarsanaa erayo iyo hadalo xasaasi ah isla markaana lagu shaaciyey Internetka inta uusan qoraalkaasiba soo gaarin Dowlada Puntland, ayey dowlada Puntland u aragtaa falkaasi mid meel ka dhac ku ah Dowladnimada Puntland iyo shacabkooda oo ku guda jira baadi goobka horumarka dhinac dhaqaale iyo bulsho-ba. Maadaama ay noo cadaatay in qoraalka uu soo saaray Geedi isla markaana qaab khaldan loo soo shaac bixiyey Dowlada Puntland waxay ka fursan weyday in ay dib ugala noqoto Raysalwasaaraha Federaalka dhamaan wixii kalsooni ahaa oo ay Puntland ku qabtay xafiiska Raysalwasaaraha Xukuumada Federaalka Soomaaliyeed inta uu xilkaasi hayo Cali Maxamed Geedi. Waxaan qoraalka lagu soo geba gabeeyey in Qoraalka Geedi uu si toos ah uga horyimid horumarka Puntland iyo dadaalka lagu doonayo in lagu kobciyo dhaqaalaha iyo horumarka bulshadeed ee Puntland hiigsaneyso. Qoraalkan ayuu ku saxiixan yahay Madaxweynaha Dowlad Gobaleedka Soomaaliyeed ee Puntland Md.Maxamuud Muuse Xirsi (Cadde Musse). Jawaabta Puntland ayaa si toos ah loogu diray Raysalwasaare Geedi, waxaana sidoo kale lala socod siiyey Madaxweynaha DFKMG C/laahi Yusuf Ahmed, Guddoomiyaha Baarlamaanka Shariif Xassan Shiikh, iyo Shirkada Range Resource. Qoraalkan kasoo baxay Dowlada Puntland ayaa lasoo saaray kadib markii ay Golaha Wasiirada Puntland ay shirar ka yeesheen qaabkii looga jawaabi lahaa qoraalkii dhawaan kasoo baxay dhinaca Raysalwasaare Cali Maxamed Geedi.

This money is for the Federal institutions. No catch, the EU also pays for a large number of third world countries including the Palastinian authorities. This is great news as the international community is at last deliverin on some of its promises.

Midowga Yurub oo lacag badan ku bixineysa Somalia Nairobi 19 May. 06 ( Sh.M.Network) Midowga Yurub ayaa shaaca ka qaaday in lacag gaareysa 89 milyan oo dollar ay ku taageeri doonaan xiliga kala guurka siyaasadda Somalia iyo faqriga lacag kale oo qeyb ka ah barnaamijka dib u soo kabasho ah oo loogu talo galay Somalia. Arintaan oo maanta midowga Yurub uu ku dhawaaqay ayaa waxa ay daba socotey heshiiskii is-fahamka ahaa ee 28 kii Bishii March ay wada saxiixeen Gudoomiyaha Midowga Yurub Hosi Manual Brosso, Madaxa horimarinta gargaarka Midowga Yurub Ius Michel iyo Madaxweynaha dowladda FS C/laahi Yuusuf Axmed iyo Ra'isulwasaare Cali Max'ed Geedi. Madaxa horumarinta Midowga Yurub iyo amuuraha bani'aadnimada Ius Michel ayaa waxa uu sheegay in midowga Yurub waligiisa uusan faaruqinin dadka Somalida 15 kii sano ee la soo dhaafay, waxaana uu sheegay in waaxyaha dowladda FS ay yihiin dhabaha kaliya ee loo mari karo nabad iyo xasilooni dib loogu soo celiyo Somalia. Waxa uu sheegay in si weyn u quudareynayo in xiriiro uu la sameeyo qeybaha kala duwan ee dowladda marka bisha soo socota isaga iyo koox ka tirsan ay booqasho ku yimaadaan wadanka Somalia. Somalia oo ka mid ah dalalka ugu faqrisan caalamka ayaa waxaa inta badan dadkeeda 43.2% waxaa la sheegay in ay ku nool yihiin lacag gaareysa in ka yar hal dollar, iyadoo geerida caruurta da'doodu ay ka hooseyso ay ku dhowdahay 22%, waxaana sidoo kale Somalia aaanu ka jirin xukuumad dhexe, tan iyo markii uu burburay xukuumadii Max'ed Siyad Barre. Hadalka maanta ay soo saareen Midowga Yurub ayaa waxa ay ku sheegeen in 15 kii sano ee la soo dhafay in Somalia ay leedahay waxa ay ku macneeyeen bilowga hanaan is xukun, inkastoo wali ay tahay xaaladda Somalia mid jilicsan. Arbacadii la soo dhaafay ayay aheyd markii wasiirka u qaabilsan horumarinta caalamiga wadanka Engriiska Mr. Hillary Pen uu soo boqday Somalia, uuna ku dhawaaqay in waaxdiisa ay ugu talo gashay lacag gaareysa 18 milyan in lagu taageero Baarlamanka Somalia, iyo goalaha xukuumadda iyo sidoo kale wax looga qabto amuuraha kale ee la xiriira. Shabelle Media Network, Kenya

European Commission to provide €70 M to boost the transition and fight poverty in SomaliaIP/06/659 Brussels, 19 May 2006. The European Commission has decided to provide €70 million for a Somalia Recovery Programme (SRP). Somalia is one of the poorest nations in the world, with 43.2% of the population living on less than $1 a day and an infant mortality rate estimated at a catastrophic 22%. Now, for the first time in 15 years, Somalia has the beginnings of a governance framework, though the political situation remains fragile. This decision was already anticipated by President José Manuel Barroso and the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, on 28 March, when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding with President Yusuf and Prime Minister Ghedi for the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. This signature is intended to be a strong political act of support to the transitional institutions. At that occasion, Commissioner Michel also announced his visit to Somalia in mid June, the first one by a European Commissioner in ten years. Somalia has not had a functioning central government since the collapse of the Siad Barre regime in 1991, which ushered in 15 years of conflict between rival clans and factions. Following the Somali National Reconciliation Conference, Transitional Federal Institutions were formed in January 2005, comprising the Transitional Federal Government and the Transitional Federal Parliament. Commissioner Michel reiterated that "the EU has never abandoned the Somali people in the past 15 years and this decision demonstrates the commitment of the EU to ensure Somalia's recovery and reconstruction. The Transitional institutions remain the only option for peace and stability and I intend to foster linkages with them, when visiting Somalia next month, with a group of European Parliamentarians." The Commission is the largest aid provider for Somalia. This package of support, from the resources from the 9th European Development Fund, puts emphasis on peace, security and good governance. It will help to make basic social services available to the poorest and most vulnerable people and will reduce food insecurity. Somalia has the lowest GNP, the lowest adult literacy rate (primary school enrolment has slumped to 17%) and the highest infant mortality rate (22%)in the Horn of Africa. The Somalia Recovery Programme will provide immediate support to address Somalia's Governance and security challenges, including consolidation of the Transitional Federal Institutions, support to delivery of social services particularly education, water and sanitation as well as rural development and food security. The programme will be implemented in close cooperation with several key partners, including the UN, NGOs and other donors. The SRP includes €18 M for EC flight operations into Somalia. This is particularly urgent, as other projects depend on it for their transport in and out of Somalia to provide aid to people in the most remote regions of the country.

SOMALIA: EC aids political transition and fight against poverty NAIROBI, 19 May (IRIN) - The European Commission will support Somalia's political transition and fight against poverty through a €70 million (US $89 million) aid package for the Somalia Recovery Programme. The announcement of the funding on Friday followed a memorandum of understanding signed on 28 March by EC President José Manuel Barroso, EC Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel, Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Somali Prime Minister Mohammed Gedi. "The EU has never abandoned the Somali people in the past 15 years," Michel said. "The transitional institutions remain the only option for peace and stability, and I intend to foster linkages with them when visiting Somalia next month with a group of European parliamentarians." Somalia is one of the poorest nations in the world, with 43.2 percent of its population living on less than $1 a day and an infant-mortality rate of approximately 22 percent. The Horn of Africa nation has had no functioning central government since the collapse of the regime of Muhammad Siyad Barre in 1991. After a national reconciliation conference, transitional federal institutions, comprising the federal government and parliament, were formed in January 2005, "Now, for the first time in 15 years, Somalia has the beginnings of a governance framework, though the political situation remains fragile," the commission said in a statement. On Wednesday, the British international development secretary, Hilary Benn, visited Somalia and announced that his department would provide US $18 million to support the transitional parliament and ministers, provide humanitarian relief for drought-affected people and support education programmes with the United Nations Children's Fund.

Mareykanka ayaa ka hadley balan qaadkiisii ku aadanaa sidii uu ugala shaqeyn lahaa saaxiibadiisa heer gobolka ah iyo kuwa heer caalami ah sidii loo aasaasi lahaa dowlad dhexe oo shaqeyneysa oo Soomaaliya ay hesho. May 19, 2006. HornAfrik. Mogadishu, Somalia. Aqalka Cad ee dalka Mareykanka ayaa ka hadley balan qaadkiisii ku aadanaa sidii uu ugala shaqeyn lahaa saaxiibadiisa heer goboleedka iyo kuwa heer caalami ah sidii loo aasaasi lahaa dowlad dhexe oo shaqeyneysa oo Soomaaliya ay hesho, isla markaana laga hor tago mintidiin Islaami ah in halkaa ay la wareegaan. Af-Hayeen u Hadley aqalka Cad ee Mareykanka oo layiraahdo Tony Snow ayaa sheegay in Mareykanku uu si xoogan u taageersan yahay dowlada FKMG ee Soomaaliya, sababtoo ah dowladu waxey isku dayeysaa dibu aasaasida dowlad dhexe oo shaqeyneysa, taasoo dadka Soomaaliyeed ka saari karta dagaalada sokeeye. Af-Hayeenka waxaa kale uu sheegay in Washington wax badan ka wal wal saneyd in xasilooni darida ka jirta Soomaaliya ay u badali karto dalka meel ay argagaxisadu ku gambato. Af-Hayeenka oo la hadlayey saxaafada waxaa uu yiri “Waxaad aragtaan xasilooni daridda Soomaaliya ka jirta iminka, waxaa jira wal wal ku aadan in argagaxiso ay joogaan Soomaaliya gaar ahaana ururka Al-Qaacida. Af-Hayeenkani waxaa kaloo uu sheegay iney sii wadi doonaan dadaalada ku aadan sidii ay ugala shaqeyn lahaayeen dhinacyada doonaya in Soomaaliya ay kusoo celiyaan, waxaa kaloo hadal kiisa uu ku darey in meel walba ay kaga hortagi doonaan kooxaha agagaxisada ah. SA

US restates interests in Somalia TERROR: The US wants the African nation stabilized to counter regional terrorism, though Washington's role in the current conflict is raising some awkward questions The White House on Wednesday expressed its commitment to working with "regional and international partners" in Somalia to establish a functioning central government, and to prevent Islamic extremism from taking root there. "The US strongly supports the transitional federal institutions in Somalia, because they are trying to reestablish a functioning central government within Somalia that can bring the Somali people out of the period of civil conflict," White House spokesman Tony Snow said at a press conference. Snow said that Washington has long been concerned that ongoing unrest could turn lawless Somalia into a haven for terrorists. "You've got instability in Somalia right now, and there is concern about the presence of foreign terrorists, particularly al-Qaeda, within Somalia," Snow told reporters. "In an environment of instability, as we've seen in the past, al-Qaeda may take root, and we want to make sure that al-Qaeda does not in fact establish a beachhead in Somalia," he said. "These are problems that we've seen in other ungoverned regions in the past. The terrorists are going to seek to take advantage of the environment and use that kind of chaos in order to put together camps and therefore mount operations around the world," the spokesman added. "We will continue to work with regional and international partners wherever we can to crack down on terrorism and also to try to prevent its rising," Snow said.

^^^ My Puntland is very important to me. As for the deal, this PM signed the agreement in November, the President also signed it and it is within the law as stipulated on our TFG Constitution. So back your argument it is legal. My anger towards Geedi has been building for a while, the Somaliland gaffe he made beored, and now this attack on Puntland and his weak stance towards the warlords. All this has made me detset him a little bit more. The blame is President Yusuf's for bringing this man to the game.

^^^ Lol @ Horn , nah man I am fair and in this instance I dont see why he included him., Barre should come to Baidoa but why add him to the list and give him the same ultamaitum as Qaynyare, Finsih and Co. You know Barre, is he involved in this war? :confused: There are other ministers Horn, so why not ina Aydeed? Paragon, dear me, Geedi is not defending any locals, bro the issue is not even about Majiyahan/Puntland, Geedi is trying to confuse the issue, the battles are in Mogadishu and the warlords are those who started the battles and who are continuing it.

^^^ lol. Yo-Yo dont talk rubish, are you saying that Qaynyare and Sudi have aright to their positions considering their actions in Mogadishu? The parliment asked him to take action and he gives them an extra 7 days to come to Baidoa. This sends the wrong message, that 400 Somali lives are not worth much. He the PM , and the Sharif are more than incompetent for not taking actions against the warlords.... Also why has Geedi included Barre Hiiraale in This list? I am no supporter of Hiiraale but all evidance points out to him playing no role in this Mogadishu tragedy. The issue of Puntland oil, why bring it up now>? The man is a joke and as long as he is around this govenrment wont get far.... The Sharif is alos now defending the warlords, making all sorts of excuses for them... Codetalker, again you are having dialogue with yourself. What on earth are you on about. I like the rest of the Somali;s were expecting some decisive moves by Geedi, the least of which was to distance himself from these idiotic warlords. [Here is Musa response to Geedi's idiocy] lMusa Sudi You need to move on from your utter failure of understanding the Majiyahan incident and the stance of Puntland state towards its rights...

This morning our PM, states that he is against the oil exploration deal in Puntland. Why now after he agreed to it? Because Geedi is feeling the heat from his clan and must take action against, Puntland, and other individuals such as Hiiraale. However this can be detremental to his own position.. Puntland oil

Geedi's ministers, Qaynyare, Sudi, Finish, Bootan are central players in the allaince of warlords, the catylist to the last 4 monts of battlesin Mogadishu that has cost the lives of more than 400 people. So what action does Mr Geedi take against these warlords, he announces that they with Barre Hiiraale must come to Baidoa within seven days. What will seven extra days do? and why include Hiiraale, he is not in the alliance and has not taken part in these battles. If Hiiraale is to be included why not include Hussain Aydeed? ............................................................ Ra'iisul wasaare Geeddi oo ugu baaqay Wasiirrada hubeysan inay ku yimaadaan Baydhabo 7-casho Posted to the Web May 17, 19:55 Baydhabo (PP) - Ra'iisul wasaaraha Soomaaliya Prof. Cali Maxamed Geeddi oo ku adkeysanaya hindisihiisa ah inuu jagooyinka uu ka qaado Wasiirrada hubeysan oo ku eedeysan inay dagaallo ka wadaan Muqdisho gaar ahaan Wasiirka Amniga Qaranka iyo Maxamed Qanyare Afrax iyo Wasiirka Ganacsiga Muuse Suudi Yalaxow ayaa u qabtay inay kaga soo qabgalaan kulammada baarlamaanka iyo kuwa wasiirrada muddo 7-casho ah gudahdood. Ra'iisul wasaare Geeddi oo galabta shir jaraa'id ku qabtay Baydhabo ayaa sheegay inuu u kala diray Wasiirrada Ganacsiga Muuse Suudi, Amniga Qaranka Max'ed Qanyare, Wasiirka Hub ka dhigista iyo dhaqancelinta Malleeshiyooyinka Bootaan Ciise Caalin iyo Wasiirka arrimaha Diinta iyo Ow-qaafta Cumar Maxamed Maxamuud (Cumar Filish) oo Muqdisho ku sugan iyo Wasiirka Dib u dhiska iyo dib u dajinta Barre Aadan Shire (Hiiraale) oo ku sugan Kismaayo balse aan ka mid ahayn wasiirrada loo yaqaan kuwa hubeysan, oo uu sheegay inuu dhammaantood ka doonayo inay kaga soo qaybgalaan kulammada dowladda uga socda magaalada Baydhabo uusanna aqbalayn wax cudur-daar ah oo ka yimaada wasiirrada uu sheegay inuu u kala diray qoraalladaas. Shirkaan jaraa'id oo uu wasiirka 1-aad galabta qabtay ayaa wuxuu si weyn ugu sharxay inuusan aqbalayn wixii hadda ka dambeeyo wasiir ka tirsan xukuumaddiisa oo aan cudurdaar u haysan maqnaashihiisa, waxaana uu sheegay in laga doonayo wasiirrada jagada u haya dowladda inay dowladda u shaqeeyaan isla markaana aysan dhibaatooyin kale hurin sida kuwa Muqdisho ku sugan, waxaana uu sheegay inay ka go'an tahay inuu xilka ka qaado wasiirkii aan u hoggaansamin amarradiisa. Arrintaan ayaa waxay ku soo beegantay xilli ay socoto olole lagu doonayo in xilka looga qaado wasiirrada hubeysan ee Muqdisho ku sugan, waxaase si lama filaan ah ugu soo biiray arrintaan Wasiirka Dib u dhiska iyo dib u dajinta Barre Aadan Shire (Hiiraale) oo aan isagu wadin wax qalalaase ah, balse aan gaarin weli magaalada Baydhabo oo ay dowladdu ku shirsan tahay. Ra'iisul wasaaraha oo maanta ay xildhibaanada qaarkood ka codsadeen inuu berri hor yimaado xildhibaannada isla markaana caddeeyo mowqifkiisa ku aaddan wasiirada hubeysan ayaa waxay xildhibaannada tani u noqotay arrin ay kaga kaaftoomaan ogaanshaha mowqifka Ra'iisul wasaaraha ee ku aaddan arrintaan taagan. Maxamed Xuseen Jantiile Wakiilka Puntlandpost - Mogadishu

Geedi's ministers, Qaynyare, S

Transitional government hails visit by UK minister © Anthony Mitchell/IRIN UK Development Secretary Hilary Benn. NAIROBI, 18 May 2006 (IRIN) - The Somali government has described a surprise visit on Wednesday by British international development minister Hilary Benn to the town of Baidoa as a sign of the UK's support to the fledging government. "It showed Britain's solidarity with the Somali people and a recognition of their new institutions," said Abdirahman Dinari, the government spokesman, on Thursday. "We hope that other powers will do the same." Baidoa, 240 km southwest of the capital, Mogadishu, is the current base of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. Benn, who was visiting the East Africa region, met Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Prime Minister Ali Muhammad Gedi and pledged to boost aid to the government. "He promised support in institution-building and humanitarian assistance," Dinari said. The TFG has a long road ahead in establishing stability in Somalia, which has had no functioning government for almost 16 years. In Mogadishu, hundreds of people took to the streets on Wednesday to appeal for peace, three days after a ceasefire that ended seven days of fighting between heavily armed militias, in which at least 190 people were killed and hundreds more injured. The demonstrators, including women and children, marched to express their anger at the recent violence between the Islamic courts and the newly created Alliance for Peace and the Fight Against International Terrorism, which comprises several Mogadishu-based faction leaders, some of whom are also cabinet ministers. Carrying banners and chanting slogans for peace, the protestors demanded an end to the carnage, a resident said. Abdullahi Shirwa, a member of a civil-society group that organised the event, said the demonstrators later converged at the Mogadishu stadium where Mahamud Hassan Ade, the governor of Benadir [Mogadishu and its environs], delivered an address. He appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance for thousands displaced by the fighting. Shirwa said people who had left their homes because of the fighting were still at makeshift camps "under the most difficult conditions and in desperate need of help." Meanwhile, militia loyal to the Islamic court were involved in clashes on Wednesday with those loyal to Muhammad Omar Habeb, the self-proclaimed governor of Middle Shabelle Region, near the village of Warsheikh, 40 km northeast of Mogadishu. "The clash took place at a checkpoint manned by militia loyal to Muhammad Dheere [Habeb, a member of the anti-terror alliance]," a resident said. "Conflicting reports put the death toll at between two and five." The clash was the second outbreak of fighting since the ceasefire was announced on Sunday, which raised fears of renewed violence. "It is an unfortunate incident, but I don't believe it would have much effect on Mogadishu," Shirwa said. "It is more likely to have an impact in Jowhar and Middle Shabelle." "These skirmishes indicate that the two sides may take their differences to other regions," said another source in Mogadishu. "The Islamic courts may be telling Muhammad Dheere that if he keeps coming to Mogadishu, Jowhar [his stronghold] won’t be safe." In a related development, the prime minister has issued an ultimatum to cabinet ministers who have refused to come to Baidoa. "The PM has given them seven days [from Wednesday] to come to Baidoa," said Dinari, who added that Gedi would take "appropriate action" if the ministers failed to comply. The order is reportedly aimed at three Mogadishu-based cabinet members who are also part of the so-called anti-terror alliance, said a Somali observer. "The main targets of this order are Qanyare [Muhammad], Yalahow [Muse Sudi] Finish, [Muhammad Omar]." President Yusuf recently warned ministers that they could not expect to be in the cabinet and wage war against the Somali people. [ENDS] Source: IRIN, May 18, 2006

Its disgraceful and a human rights abuse indeed. The authorities must take action against the culprits...