Somalia
Somali Deputy PM calls on aid agencies to 'ignore threat'
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Oct 8, 2008 - 12:15:49 PM

MOGADISHU, Somalia Oct 8 (Garowe Online) - Somali Information Minister Ahmed Abdisalam has called on international aid agencies to “ignore” recent threats issued by Islamist guerrillas fighting the government, Radio Garowe reported.

Mr. Abdisalam, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, held a press conference in the capital Mogadishu on Wednesday where he discussed many issues including threats against aid groups and the ongoing peace process.

Somali Deputy PM Ahmed Abdisalam

“The threats come from small groups who are not bothered by the suffering of the Somali people, therefore the [aid] agencies should ignore them,” the Information Minister said, while calling on Somalis to "repel" troublemakers.

Last week, Muktar Robow "Abu Mansur," spokesman for al Shabaab insurgents, issued a warning to CARE International and International Medical Corps., saying the aid groups should "not interfere" in areas under Islamist control.

Deputy PM Abdisalam condemned the assassination of Da’ar Hersi Hoshow, chairman of a self-appointed traditional elders council in central Somalia, saying: “He was killed by anti-peace groups…only because he [Hoshow] said aid groups should work in Hiran region.” [ READ: Chairman of elders’ council assassinated in central Somalia]

Airport violence

On Mogadishu’s airport, Mr. Abdisalam said insurgents’ mortar attacks have led to a halt in the airport’s vital services for the public.

He indicated that the airport attacks have stopped people from transporting wounded and sick relatives for treatment aboard.

But the Deputy PM’s comments on African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeepers were most profound, saying: “We have spoken with AMISOM commanders about shells hitting civilian areas, like Bakara Market.”

Upwards of 60 civilians have been killed in airport-related violence since September 16, when al Shabaab insurgents began targeting the airport with mortars whenever an airplane arrives.

AMISOM peacekeepers, who are based at the airport, and their Somali government allies have been accused of shelling residential areas in response, including crowded Bakara Market, where government officials say the mortars originate from.

It is the first time a senior government official has confirmed widespread speculation that AMISOM peacekeepers shelled Bakara Market, leading to scores of deaths.

Peace process

Mr. Abdisalam, whose official title is Minister of Information, Youth and Sports, said the peace process is "going well," despite a few setbacks.

"The Committees have done a good job," he said, referring to the Joint Political Committee and the Joint Security Committee composed of Somali government officials and opposition representatives.

He said that the two sides are scheduled to meet again later this month to "finalize" the Djibouti Agreement, which called for a ceasefire and the timely withdrawal of Ethiopian troops.

Deputy PM Abdisalam, who was the government's chief negotiator in the peace talks, said Eritrea is "hindering" the Somali peace process.

Eritrea is Ethiopia's main rival in the Horn of Africa region and is home to a Somali opposition faction that refused to recognize the Djibouti Agreement, which is led by Islamist hardliner Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys.

Separately, Information Minister Abdisalam welcomed the UN anti-piracy resolution but urged the international community to fight piracy by helping the Somali government.

He also called on donor countries to augment humanitarian aid to the people of Somalia.

Source: Garowe Online