16/05/07 (B395) Somalie : le remplacement des troupes éthiopiennes par la force multinationale de paix se heurte à de nombreux problèmes et à des objectifs différents de la part des nations impliquées. (Info lectrice – 2 dépêches en Anglais)

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Note de l’ARDHD

D’un
côté, les Ethiopiens annoncent leur souhait de retirer leurs
troupes, qui ont atteint les objectifs qu’elles s’étaient fixées
: reprendre le contrôle de la Somalie et de Mogadiscio après
la prise de pouvoir par les Tribunaux islamiques. La présence des troupes
éthiopiennes ne peut qu’attiser l’animosité des fractions islamistes
battues durant la bataille de Mogadiscio, mais non anénanties ..

D’un
autre côté, les Américains demandent aux éthiopiens
de rester en attendant l’arrivée de la force mutinationale de Paix.

Mais
cette force, en dépit des engagements, ne compte que 1.200 (env.) soldats
ougandais sur le 8.000 annoncés par plusieurs pays africains. Et les
renforts ne sont toujours pas annoncés.

_____________________________________________
1 – BBC

Ethiopia
seeking Somalia pullout

(Les Ethiopiens voudraient se retirer de
Somalie)

Ethiopia’s prime minister has said he wants to withdraw all his troops from
neighbouring Somalia, where they helped oust Islamists last year.

Meles Zenawi told the BBC that he hoped African Union peacekeepers would deploy
soon to relieve his troops.

One of the AU leaders says it would be a « catastrophe » if Ethiopia
pulled out before the AU troops arrived.

Up to a third of the population fled recent fighting in the capital, Mogadishu,
and badly need aid.

Less than 40% of the estimated 300,00 displaced Somalis are receiving any
help, according to UN humanitarian relief chief John Holmes.

After a visit to Mogadishu, he said Somalia now represents a worse displacement
crisis than Sudan’s Darfur region.

‘Onerous’

Mr Meles said he wanted to end the « onerous » financial burden of
having Ethiopian troops, estimated to be several thousand in number, in Somalia.

« Things have improved significantly in Mogadishu, making it possible
for peacekeeping troops to do their job, » he said.

« I very much hope and expect that those African countries that have promised
to send troops will do so. »

AU Commission chief Alpha Oumar Konare told the AFP news agency that Ethiopia
must wait for the AU forces.

« If Ethiopia withdrew from Somalia today, it would be a catastrophe, »
he said.

He said Ethiopia had done the job of the AU but its continued presence could
« block political dialogue » in Somalia.

Ethiopia has twice fought border wars with Somalia and is widely distrusted
there.
So far, Uganda has sent 1,700 peacekeepers but the AU says another 6,300 troops
are needed.

Nigeria, Burundi and Ghana have all promised to contribute to the
AU force.

Mr Meles said the « organised resistance » of the Islamists had now
been « broken ».

The Ethiopia-backed government says it is in control of Mogadishu after what
is seen as the worst fighting in 16 years in the city.

Cholera

Aid workers have accused authorities of hindering the passage of
food aid at checkpoints set up across Mogadishu.

« We estimate that we are only reach 35 – 40% of those in need, »
Mr Holmes said.
« Many are already suffering from a cholera outbreak. »

Mr Holmes said international law had been violated by the fighting factions
in the city, saying that some citizens had disappeared without explanation.

« Clearly, human rights abuses have taken place, but the government categorically
denied reports and accusations of their involvement, » he said.

He said the government had promised to co-operate with a planned UN investigation
into the reports.

Mr Holmes, the most senior UN official to visit the city in more than a decade,
had to cut short his trip on Saturday, after bombs exploded in Mogadishu,
killing three people.

Somalia has been without an effective national government for 16 years, controlled
by rival militias and awash with guns.

___________________________________________ 2 – BBC

Ethiopia
warned on Somali pullout


(L’Ethiopie est informée par les US et l’Union africaine des risques
en cas de retrait de ses troupes, avant l’arrivée de la force multinationale
de Paix
)

The US and the African Union have warned Ethiopia not to withdraw its troops
from Somalia before peacekeepers are deployed to replace them.

AU commission chief Alpha Oumar Konare says it would be a « catastrophe »
if Ethiopia pulled out too soon.

US Africa envoy Jendayi Frazer said it would probably be several months before
the full peacekeeping force arrived.

Ethiopia’s prime minister says he wants to withdraw all his troops, after
they helped oust Islamists.

Up to a third of the population fled recent fighting in the capital, Mogadishu,
and badly need aid.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Stability will remain elusive… The chaos we are seeing is caused by Western
interference

Less than 40% of
the estimated 300,00 displaced Somalis are receiving any help, according to
UN humanitarian relief chief John Holmes.

After a visit to Mogadishu, he said Somalia now represents a worse displacement
crisis than Sudan’s Darfur region.

‘Onerous’

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said he wanted to end the « onerous »
financial burden of having Ethiopian troops, estimated to be several thousand
in number, in Somalia.

« Things have improved significantly in Mogadishu, making it possible
for peacekeeping troops to do their job, » he said.

« I very much
hope and expect that those African countries that have promised to send troops
will do so. »

Mr Konare told the AFP news agency that Ethiopia must wait for the AU forces.

« If Ethiopia withdrew from Somalia today, it would be a catastrophe, »
he said.

He said Ethiopia had done the job of the AU but its continued presence could
« block political dialogue » in Somalia.

But Ms Frazer said that an Ethiopian withdrawal before the AU troops arrived
would lead to a security vacuum.

« It would be a mistake for Ethiopia to withdraw. That said, we
certainly want them to withdraw from Somalia as soon as possible, » she
told the BBC’s Newshour programme.

Ethiopia has twice fought border wars with Somalia and is widely distrusted
there.
So far, Uganda has sent 1,700 peacekeepers but the AU says another 6,300 troops
are needed.

Nigeria, Burundi and Ghana have all promised to contribute to the AU force.

Mr Meles said the « organised resistance » of the Islamists had now
been « broken ».

The Ethiopia-backed government says it is in control of Mogadishu after what
is seen as the worst fighting in 16 years in the city.

But gunmen attacked a World Health Organization office in the city on Monday
night, injuring a guard, WHO officials say.

Cholera

Aid workers have accused authorities of hindering the passage of food aid
at checkpoints set up across Mogadishu.

« We estimate that we are only reach 35 to 40% of those in need, »
Mr Holmes said.
« Many are already suffering from a cholera outbreak. »

Mr Holmes said international law had been violated by the fighting factions
in the city, saying that some citizens had disappeared without explanation.

« Clearly, human rights abuses have taken place, but the government categorically
denied reports and accusations of their involvement, » he said.

He said the government had promised to co-operate with a planned UN investigation
into the reports.

Mr Holmes, the most senior UN official to visit the city in more than a decade,
had to cut short his trip on Saturday, after bombs exploded in Mogadishu,
killing three people.

Somalia has been without an effective national government for 16 years, controlled
by rival militias and awash with guns.