Somalia: Current Conditions and Prospects for a Lasting Peace
Abstract
In October 2002, the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) launched a peace process designed to end factional fighting in Somalia, led by the government of Kenya under the leadership of Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat. In September 2003, the parties agreed on a Transitional National Charter, which paved the way for a Transitional Federal Government (TFG). In August 2004, a 275- member Transitional Parliament was inaugurated in Kenya. In October 2004, The Transitional Parliament elected Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed as the new president of Somalia. In November, President Yusuf appointed Ali Mohamed Gedi as prime minister. But the TFG was not able to move to Mogadishu because of instability and opposition by the warlords and some members of the TFG. In early 2006, factional violence in Mogadishu erupted, killing hundreds of civilians and displacing many more people. The surge in violence was between militia loyal to the Islamic Courts and a self-proclaimed anti-terrorism coalition backed by powerful local warlords. The fighting received unusual attention in Somalia and in the region due, in large part, to reports that the warlords were backed by the United States government. The forces of the Islamic Courts Union strengthened and expanded areas under their control after the defeat of the warlords in Mogadishu. Mogadishu became relatively peaceful, and the Islamic Courts received support from the population in areas it controlled. Negotiations efforts did not lead to a major breakthrough, although the parties reached some agreements. On December 24, 2006, Ethiopian and TFG forces launched a military campaign against the forces of the Islamic Courts Union. Ethiopia deployed its forces inside Somalia shortly after the Courts took over Mogadishu in June 2006. On December 28, Ethiopian troops captured Mogadishu with little resistance from the ICU.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 12, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA481386
Entities
People
- Ted Dagne
Organizations
- Library of Congress