Somalia’s new prime minister called on Sunday for dialogue with Islamist-led opponents to end an insurgency that a rights group says has killed nearly 6 000 civilians so far this year.
The Elman Peace and Human Rights Organisation said it had verified 5 930 deaths, 7 980 people wounded, and 717 784 displaced from their homes, in a year that saw the toppling of an Islamist movement, followed by an insurgency.
In some of his first public comments on the conflict, Somalia’s new prime minister, Nur Hassan Hussein, said he was open to talks with an Eritrean-based opposition alliance.
”We are ready to speak with the Asmara group as long as they are ready to discuss with us,” Hussein told Kenya’s NTV news in an interview to be broadcast later on Sunday, referring to an opposition umbrella organisation based in Eritrea.
”We are not naming anyone from the opposition leaders, but we are ready for positive advice and criticism.”
Somalia’s interim government, formed in 2004 and due to hold elections in 2009, is under pressure from Western partners to reach out to the opposition.
Hussein’s appointment at the end of November to replace sacked predecessor Ali Mohamed Gedi was viewed by many as an opportunity for reconciliation in a nation wracked by war since the 1991 overthrow of a dictator by warlords. — Reuters