Mogadishu, 9 August (AKI) - A campaign by an Islamist group in Somalia to extend its control over the country is meeting some resistance in some areas such as the central city of Galkayo, where demonstrators have staged protests. On Tuesday three people were wounded when supporters of the Union of Islamic Courts opened fire on a crowd protesting against the Islamists' attempts to control the city. | How dare you protest! Don't ya know, they're on a Mission from God |
According to the news portal, Somalinet, the protest was organised by supporters of Abdi Qeydid, who along with other warlords controlled larger parts of Somalia before they were defeated by Union of Islamic Courts fighters this year. The protestors chanted slogans against the Union of Islamic Courts which controls the capital Mogadishu.
Additional: Tension is high in a central Somali town after protests against Islamists who now control the capital, Mogadishu, and much of southern Somalia. Correspondents say residents in Galkayo, 600km north west of Mogadisu, are divided about whether to support the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). Two people were injured in Tuesday's protest, led by clerics who say the UIC's brand of Islam is too militant.
Galkayo borders Puntland, a region believed to be against the courts. | They've broken from Somalia and set up their own country |
| And it's worrisome that the Islamicists could be next to Puntland any time now ... |
The transitional government of Somalia, based in Baidoa, is also divided about whether to negotiate with the courts.
Hundreds of people carrying placards and shouting anti-UIC slogans took part in the demonstations before scuffles broke out, Somalia's Shabelle website reports. UIC militia are reported to be controlling a main road outside Galkayo. They have sent representatives into the town to see about setting up an Islamic court there.
In Baidoa, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi is attempting to form a new 31-member cabinet after the previous cabinet was dissolved on Monday. President Abdullahi Yusuf has given him a week to form a new government. The two agreed on Monday to put aside their differences, after divisions on the question of possible talks with the Islamists sparked a crisis in the government. The interim cabinet originally had more than 100 members, not all of whom had been approved by parliament. |