Former Somali PM to Face Charges

An official speaking for Somalia's Attorney General Office says a case against former Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Gedi will be the first one, in series that face prominent persons, expected to be presented before the high court in the coming days.

Ali Yare says Gedi has committed crimes against the state in his premier tenure and its their responsibility to held him and others accountable. "We are going to present to the high court every crime committed against the state and our first case will be the former PM Prof. Ali Mohammed Gedi who committed crimes against the Somali public while in office," said the official.

This comes as the country's judiciary high commission holds its first meeting since the appointment of new Chief Justice Mohammed Omar Farah (Indho Buur) in the capital Mogadishu. The meeting was discussed on how best the high court will conduct its business." The judiciary high commission was formed outside the country and today's was to discuss how to start the court sessions," said Indo Buur, adding that the court will be independent and carry its operations based on justice.

Indho Buur, who was appointed to the office through an official gazette from the presidential Palace Villa Somalia last year, announced that the commission will conduct a weekly review on the court operations. The case against PM is expected to attract much attention after reports of disagreement between him and President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed emerged recently but was later settled through diplomatic ways.

Source: All Africa

Somalia's President Laments Lack of International Support

Somalia's president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said his country lacks the international support it needs to prevent powerful Al-Qaeda-backed insurgents from overthrowing his fragile government. Sharif said his government only control pocketful of Mogadishu with the rest including southern Somalia under the hands of Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, the two main insurgent groups. "Somalia is facing crisis brought about by foreign groups currently in the country, who are determined to frustrate any peace attempts," he added.We need international support, because the country is ruined and is becoming home to some elements of Al-Qaeda who resolved to clear plans."

Some 5,100-strong African Union peacekeeping troops are currently in the war-torn country to try to shore up the UN-backed government from the powerful insurgents and control strategic sites such as airport and presidential palace. Somali presidents accuse the international community of planning to go back against their pledges, which was to support his Djibouti-formed government both financially and politically. "The enemy prepared itself and wanted to bring down this government before it could accomplish its mission. Surely, that act has its own risks. We are expecting the world to help us fight these groups," he said. Commenting about the piracy menace in the high seas, Sharif said his government is not in the position to tackle at the moment. "Piracy, which is the other major problem, is caused by years of lawlessness in the country. So my government can not do anything about it,"

Sharif's remarks come as his Presidential Palace Villa Somalia comes under heavy mortar attack launched by Al-Shabaab fighters. Heavy exchange of gunfire and mortar shells has claimed the lives of at least four people while five others were wounded.

The Horn of African country is marred by years of civil strife that erupted after the ouster of the regime of President Mohamed Siad Bare in 1991.

Source: All Africa

Dozens killed in Mogadishu fighting

At least 50 people were killed and dozens more injured over the week in intense fighting between government troops and rebels in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, the United Nations said Tuesday.

If fighting were to continue at current intensity, Somalia's humanitarian situation could further deteriorate, said Elisabeth Byrs, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, noting that half of the country's population already needs aid. "Some 75% of the people in need are concentrated in south and central Somalia, where most of the fighting is taking place, causing loss of life and livelihoods and impeding humanitarian access," she said.

North Somalia, meanwhile, is beset by an "alarming deterioration" in the food and nutrition situation due to a drought. The International Committee of the Red Cross underlined the suffering of children in the country. "Somalia's children have never known what it is like to live in peace; armed violence has ravaged the country ever since they were born," said Ahmed Hassan, who heads the Somali Red Crescent. "Although they have adapted their short lives to the situation, they deserve all the support they can get."

The Horn of Africa country has been wracked by almost uninterrupted civil unrest since the 1991 ouster of President Mohamed Siad Barre. Hard-line Islamist rebels launched an offensive in early May to oust the internationally backed government of President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

Source: mail & Guardian