| Posted in Ops as Islam begins to establish the Caliphate in the paradise formerly known as Somalia... |
Somalia's virtually powerless government began unravelling yesterday as a fifth of its cabinet resigned in disgust and the administration's Islamic rivals took over the presidential palace in the capital, Mogadishu. Eighteen key ministers in the 102-member cabinet said their government had failed to bring peace to the chaotic African nation as it emerges from 15 years of anarchy. The leadership has no power outside its base in Baidoa, 155 miles from the capital. "We have seen the government cannot carry out national reconciliation and development," said a letter of resignation issued by the parliamentarians, who included the ministers for domestic co-operation, planning and international relations. A motion of no-confidence in the prime minister, Mohammed Ali Gedi, had already been issued and will be debated in parliament tomorrow, the MPs said. Abdirahman Mohamed Dinari, a government spokesman, said Mr Gedi had not decided whether to accept the resignations. The MPs also said they were opposed to troops from neighbouring Ethiopia who were sent into Somalia to protect the government from the Supreme Islamic Courts Council's militia, which has seized control of the capital and 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 Taleban-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 co-operation with the courts," Abdirahman Janaqaw, of the Supreme Islamic Courts Council, said.