Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)

Somalia: Hawiye Elders Condemn Ethiopia

By Ahmednor Mohamed Farah, 7 January 2009

Mogadishu — Hawiye traditional elders denounced Ethiopia for not fulfilling a previous promise to pull out its troops from Somalia on Wednesday.

The Ethiopian troops recaptured Dinsor town south of Baidoa from Al-shabaab militants on Wednesday afternoon.

Ethiopia announced plans to withdraw its troops from Somalia last year, but Ethiopia missed that deadline on Monday.

Mohamed Hassan Haad, the chairman of Hawiye Traditional Elders, said Ethiopia defied its pledge and cast doubt about Ethiopia's troop withdrawal from Somalia.

"We condemn the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia and we call for the Ethiopian government to withdraw its troops from Somalia," Mr. Haad said.

Ethiopian troops have been capturing towns in western Somalia from the insurgents for the past two weeks.

Ethiopia invaded Somalia in 2006 to help defeat the Islamic Courts Union forces that ruled much of south and central Somalia.

Tagged: Arms and Armies, Conflict, East Africa, Ethiopia, Peacekeeping, Somalia

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Comments 1 to 2 of 2 Post a comment

  • T.D.
    Jan 7 2009, 18:41
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    Everybody knows Shaballe Media Network is Shabab Media Network

  • The Gatekeeper
    Jan 15 2009, 17:42
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    The Gate Keeper