A second large cargo plane delivered tons of unidentified equipment on Friday to the Islamic militia that controls Somalia’s capital, adding to growing fears that civil war could return to the chaotic country.
Fighters loyal to the Supreme Islamic Courts’ Union closed roads around Mogadishu International airport while the plane unloaded the cargo, chasing away onlookers. A similar aircraft delivered goods on Wednesday and officials from the largely powerless transitional government alleged that Eritrea was sending arms to the Islamic militants.
Islamic courts officials and Eritrea both denied the accusation.
The Iluyshin-76, with Kazakhstan Airways markings, can carry up to 52 000kg of cargo.
The delivery came as leaders in the transitional government in Baidoa, 250km from the capital, struggled to keep their clan-based coalition from unravelling.
Eighteen key ministers in the 102-member Cabinet said on Thursday that their government has failed to bring peace to this chaotic African nation as it emerges from 15 years of anarchy. The leadership has no power outside of Baidoa.
”We have seen that the government cannot carry out national reconciliation and development,” according to a letter of resignation issued by the lawmakers, who include the ministers for domestic cooperation and for planning and international relations.
A motion of no-confidence in Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Gedi had already been issued and will be debated in Parliament on Saturday, the lawmakers said. Government spokesperson Abdirahman Mohamed Dinari said Gedi has not decided whether to accept the resignations.
The lawmakers also said they were opposed to troops from neighbouring Ethiopia, who were sent to Somalia to protect the government from the Islamic militia, which has seized much of southern Somalia.
The Islamic militants’ increasing power has prompted grave concerns in the United States, which accuses the group of harbouring al-Qaeda leaders responsible for deadly 1998 bombings at the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The Islamic group’s imposition of strict religious courts also has raised fears of an emerging Taliban-style regime.
On Thursday, the militia said it was setting up a religious court inside the vast complex in Mogadishu that once served as the country’s presidential palace — a highly symbolic move that further marginalised the official administration.
”This is the place where Somalia will be ruled from and we appreciate your cooperation with the courts,” said Abdirahman Janaqaw, a senior member of the Supreme Islamic Courts’ Union.
The complex, known as Villa Somalia, sits on high ground with access to the harbour and the airport. The last Somali leader to live there was dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, who was ousted in 1991.
Somalia has been without an effective central government since Barre was ousted and warlords turned on each other, carving much of the country into armed camps ruled by violence and clan law.
The transitional government was established nearly two years ago with the support of the United Nations, but it has been wracked by infighting. The leadership also includes some of the widely despised warlords linked to the violence of the past.
Thursday’s resignations were ”a very serious blow to the government led by the prime minister”, said Omar Jamal, executive director of the Somalia Justice Advocacy Centre in St Paul, Minnesota, a hub for US-based Somalis.
The relationship between the Islamic militia and the official government has been deteriorating steadily in recent weeks, despite plans for peace talks. Last week, the militia got within striking distance of Baidoa. Witnesses reported seeing troops from Ethiopia cross the border to protect the fragile administration.
Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a bloody border war from 1998 to 2000, and have since backed rebel groups to destabilise each other.
Somalia could become a new front in their conflict.
In a statement issued by Eritrea’s Minister of Information, the government called on Ethiopia to withdraw all of its troops from Somalia.
”It further calls to let the brotherly people of Somalia be masters of their own destiny, by providing them a chance to build a harmonious and stable nation,” Eritrea said.
Ethiopia also lashed out at its rival, with the country’s Foreign ministry Spokesperson saying Eritrea was arming the militants while ”disseminating anti-Ethiopian sentiments”. — Sapa-AP