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William Ballamy; the United States Ambassador to Kenya whose his diplomatic mission also covers Somalia wrote a letter to the Kenyan Daily Nation newspaper and wrote the following: 

Fighting between rival militias in Mogadishu, which some press reports have wrongly blamed on the United States, has dominated recent news coverage of Somalia. The real story of American involvement in Somalia is a much different one. It is true that the US has encouraged a variety of groups in Somalia, in all corners of the country, and among all clans, to oppose the Al Qaeda presence and reject the Somali militants who shelter and protect these terrorists. At the same time, the US has offered strong moral and diplomatic support to the institutions of the newly founded and still struggling Somali Government. Lost in the diplomacy and politics is the fact that the US is reaching out in many ways to help improve the lives of ordinary Somalis.

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Emily Wax and Karen DeYoung of the Washington Post write:   

More than a decade after U.S. troops withdrew from Somalia following a disastrous military intervention, officials of Somalia’s interim government and some U.S. analysts of Africa policy say the United States has returned to the African country, secretly supporting secular warlords who have been waging fierce battles against Islamic groups for control of the capital, Mogadishu.   

The Post quoted Cali Geedi, the Somali Prime Minister as saying:   

We would prefer that the U.S. work with the transitional government and not with criminals. This is a dangerous game. Somalia is not a stable place and we want the U.S. in Somalia. But in a more constructive way. Clearly we have a common objective to stabilize Somalia, but the U.S. is using the wrong channels. 

I agree with the Somalia Prime Minister that the United States is using the wrong political and diplomatic strategies for achieving its goals in the region and in Somalia in particular. The United States must work with the Somali Transitional Federal Government and President Cabdullahi Yuusf Axmed.

Click here to view full article on the Washington Post. Please note that the Post requires free registration for access. 

Following is the full text of a statement released by Swedish Foreign Ministry regarding the war in Mogadishu.

15 May 2006

Statement by Jan Eliasson on the situation in Mogadishu

I am greatly concerned about the fighting in Mogadishu in Somalia during the past week. These unacceptable acts of violence primarily affect the already suffering civilian population and have claimed the lives of a large number of people, including many children. We have today received reports of a ceasefire and I call therefore on all the groups involved in the fighting to respect the ceasefire and join the peace process. Sweden’s commitment to support the fragile peace and reconciliation process in Somalia will continue. We support the institutions that have been set up and can lead the country from chaos and conflict to peace and stability. I welcome the initiatives now being taken to encourage the groups involved in the fighting to join the political process for peace, reconciliation and reconstruction. 

Mr. Jan Eliasson,

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Royal Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Sharif Xasan Adan; the Speaker of the Somali Transitional Federal Parliament was quoted as saying:

I appeal to the international community to extend financial assistance and expertise to Somali government to ensure peace and stability in our country.

Well, it goes without saying that what Sharif Xasan failed is to understand is the fact that neither the TFG nor anyone else can stop the bloody fighting in Mogadishu without an external security force that could stabilize the chaos in Mogadishu and else where in the country. Having said that, the fact the Sharif Xasan realized that we Somalis cannot do it alone and we need foreigners to help us sort things out is indeed a step in the right direction. Sharif Xasan Adan must work with President Cabdullahi Yuusuf Axmed and help the parliament approve the deployment of foreign troops into Somalia.
Click here to view the full dispatch by the Chinese News Agency; Xinhuanet.

The Associated Press reports:    

Islamic militiamen and secular fighters battled for control of Somalia’s capital Wednesday despite promises of a cease-fire. Six people were killed Wednesday, bringing the death toll to at least 96, with nearly 200 others wounded, according to officials. Heavy weapons fire echoed through the city as the fighting spread to another Mogadishu neighborhood. The battle between the Islamic Court Union and the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter Terrorism has centered on the northern neighborhood of Sii-Sii, with neither side gaining an advantage. Most of the victims in the most recent fighting were civilians caught in the crossfire.   

It saddens me to see so many innocent Somalis murdered senselessly every day. However, I believe the blame should go squarely on the shoulders of the United Nations that is refusing the deployment of peace-keeping forces under the auspices of the Arab League, the African Union and IGAD. It time for Mr. Francis Fall, the UN Special Envoy to Somalia to admit his failure and leave quietly. Indeed, I would go as far as saying that the entire staff of the United Nations political office for Somalia must be replaced as soon as possible. The fact is that they are doing more harm than good. 

My heart bleeds for my country and its people! Unfortunately, there is very little that I can do at the moment! However, I will keep SHOUTING on its behalf as much as I can so should every one else! 

Click here to view the full report on CNN’s website.

U.S. Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota was quoted as saying: 

I believe the United States has a vital security interest in helping Somalia succeed. (…) The lack of mature political institutions, protracted state of instability, porous borders and geographic location make it a potential location for international terrorists seeking a transit or launching point to conduct operations. As we saw in Afghanistan, failed states are a recipe for instability and terrorist activity. (…) Through interaction with my Somali constituents I have worked to be the voice of the Somali community in Washington, D.C. (…) I have made it a priority of mine to convey their concerns and ideas to various government officials and I will continue to facilitate dialogue among the different Somali political groups. The United States has an obligation to help put a stop to this chaos and I believe we can play a valuable role in establishing a stable, democratic government for the people of Somalia. 

Click here to view Senator Coleman’s statement. You may also here to click here to view the full text of the U.S. Senate resolution co-sponsored by Senator Norm Colman (R-MN), Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Senator Mark Dayton (D-MN). 

Matt Damon; American Actor and political activist went to Africa. Following are few extracts from his remarks after the trip.   

Each day, I saw the devastating impact of AIDS and extreme poverty, but I also saw the incredible work being done to save lives and give people the tools to provide for themselves. I visited a facility that reduced, by half, the chances of a mother transmitting HIV to their child. I met a 24 year old woman who told me that there was a good chance the anti-retrovirals she was taking would save the her baby’s life. The next day, I met a widow who had become self-sufficient thanks to a micro-finance loan. With her new financial freedom, she was not only able to take care of her children, but also began caring for local orphans. The biggest lesson I took home from the trip was that folks in these countries can turn things around if given the basic resources that we take for granted here every day. That’s why I was shocked to learn from the ONE campaign that within the next 2 weeks the U.S. Senate is poised to slash billions of dollars from President Bush’s plan to fight AIDS and poverty.This is an outrage - and it can be stopped. Please join me in speaking out right now!

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has launched a two-month project to improve water availability and accessibility for thousands of drought-affected people in the Tieglow district and Hudur town of Bakol Region, South Somalia.  The ADRA Bakol Water Drought Response (BWDR) project impacts areas severely hit by drought and where ADRA has previously implemented water projects. Due to changes in population, water use in overcrowded villages has increased dramatically.

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United States State Department has issued following “Public Announcement” Friday, May 5th 2006.  (more…)

The Japanese Mainishi Daily News reports:   

Somalia — Residents began fleeing Somalia’s capital early Monday after a night of fighting between a secular militia and gunmen loyal to Mogadishu’s Islamic courts reportedly left 18 people dead and 21 wounded. Witnesses said the fighting began when gunmen working for a militia commander linked to the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counterterrorism opened fire on a gun truck carrying the bodyguards of Islamic Court Union chairman Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed.

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The IRIN News reports:   

An outbreak of diarrhoea in Afmadow District in southwestern Somalia has claimed the lives of at least 12 people during the past week, medical sources said on Monday.  Some 80 people were arriving at the district’s main hospital to seek treatment for diarrhoea every day, said Hassan Mursal, a clinical officer at the hospital.

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Mattias Karen of the Associated Press Writes:   

Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed told The Associated Press during a two-day visit to Stockholm that he believes Washington is supporting the warlords-turned-politicians as a way of fighting several top al-Qaida operatives who are being protected by radical clerics. “They really think they can capture al-Qaida members in Somalia,” he said. “But the Americans should tell the warlords they should support the government, and cooperate with the government … We are the legitimate government, and we will help you fight terrorism.” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said he did not know “the origin of these remarks in terms of what he has in mind.” “Our interest is purely in seeing Somalia achieve a better day,” McCormack said. “It’s a real concern of ours, terror taking root in the Horn of Africa … We don’t want to see another safe haven for terrorists created.” Somalia has not had an effective central government since clan-based warlords overthrew the government in 1991 and then began fighting each other.   

Click here to view the full dispatch by AP. 

The Famine Early Warring System (FEWS) says in its latest report that:

Despite the early gu rains in most of the drought-affected regions of Somalia, the food security situation facing 2.1 million drought-affected people remains precarious.  Prices of staple foods in most of the reference markets in the south are still much higher than normal for this time of year.  Humanitarian access problems coupled with impassable roads (due to rains) will likely hamper food aid deliveries during the coming weeks, thereby increasing vulnerability among food aid dependant drought-affected communities.  In the northeast and parts of the central region rains received so far are below-normal leading to serious water shortages.

Click here to view the full report on FEWS. The report is available as a PDF format.

Cabdullahi Yusuf Axmed; the President of the Somali Transitional Federal Government is currently on an official visit to Sweden and is hosted by the Royal Ministry for International Development Cooperation in Stockholm.   

I welcome President Yusuf’s visit to Sweden and the opportunity for bilateral discussions on the great challenges that Somalia faces. Ever since the peace talks started, Sweden has played a prominent role in the international dialogue with the Somali parties. International support is crucial in the difficulties that the transitional leadership in Somalia has to wrestle with, if the progress that has been achieved is to last. 

Sweden has provided active political and economic support to the peace process since 2003. Sweden expects to give humanitarian support and support for peace and reconciliation totalling SEK 160 million in 2006. If the peace process makes progress, there is a readiness for more extensive support, partly within the framework of the donor conference that is planned with Sweden and Italy as co-hosts. 

Ms. Annika Söder, Secretary of State for International Development Cooperation, Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden