Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
24 April 2008
The spokesman of the Al-Shabaab movement in Somalia has said that the group will not hold talks with the Somali government due to its involvement in the recent clashes in Wahar Cadde and in other areas of Mogadishu.
The spokesman of Al-Shabaab, Shaykh Mukhtar Robow (Abu Mansur has also denied that weapons displayed by Ethiopian troops in Mogadishu were captured from the Al-Shabaab group.
He said the weapons belonged to the Somali government, and that the display was aimed at masking the massacre of civilians.
In a telephone conference with Mogadishu-based media, Shaykh Abu Mansur said his group would not hold talks with the Somali government, and that it would not support the peace talks initiatives led by Premier Nur Hasan Husayn (Nur Adde), because he praised the massacre of Somali people in Wahar adde and Suuqa Hoolaha localities of Mogadishu by Ethiopian forces.
He said the comments showed Nur Adde's support of what Ethiopians were doing in Somalia.
"Somali people will never hold talks with Nur Adde and the so-called MPs.
You will never lead a comfortable life in Baydhabo [seat of parliament, while the people you claim to represent are being massacred by the Ethiopians'', Shaykh Mukhtar Robow Ali (Abu Mansur) said.
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Is it time for Ethiopian troops to leave Southern Somalia and reinforce Somaliland and Puntland ? I guess so! As the International Community is responsible for insuring the security of a member Nation, it is time for the UN to put peace keeping forces along the border of Ethiopia with the rest of the Lawless Somalia so that the problem doesn't spill into Ethiopian eastern territories. That seems the only viable option from where I sit.
This novice approach is the only face saving method by which Ethiopia's gallant forces will have to leave the troubled land of Moagashio. It isn't Ethiopia's buisness to safeguard the Land and quell the elements of Mogadisho who are being abatted and supported by oil- crazed fanatic Gulf arabs and Strong man Isayas.
I have seen Ethiopian soldiers in action, during critical situations, in Addis, it is absurd to give credence to their critics who are accusing them of all kind of malfesiance. True, there might be an an exception or two.
Ethiopian and TGV forces are faced with monumental task. Millions of Somalians, in Somalia and beyond, consider them enemies. Thus, no matter their sincere and honorable efforts, it won't get credence. Add to this, the millions of wealthy Arabs who consider the noble mission of the brave Ethiopian forces to get some kind of order in Southern Somalia as that of an assalut on Islam, it is all but a futile attempt. It will create more problem in Ethiopia's hinterland.
It is obvous that the only way the Mogadisho Bakara Mobs can be tamed is to curb the millions of dollars in remittance which is flocking to that part of S Somailia. Let the TGV be the sole agent for any and all transfers of fund from the hundreds of thousands of Somalians who are scattered through out the World. This can be done easilly.
Another option is to have the Maritime Industry and the International Community finance an all out invasion and occupation of Somalia by Ethiopian forces. As envisioned in Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, Ethiopia will take the responsiblity of securing Somalia and the major maritime corridor along the Gulf of Aden, In this case, Ethiopia will have to deploy hundreds of thousand of troops for a prolonged period, or as long as it takes, and not the couple of thousands of troops who, under duress, occasionally violate the Geneva Convention. As Ethiopia is a major World power house( at the least in Africa), it can achieve this task handilly. I am sure it is a lot cheaper than employing overpriced UN Peace keepers ( mercenaries) who are ineffective in peace enforcing missions. I am certain that is what is needed Sotuhern Somalia.