SOMALIA: Violence taking heavy toll as peace talks resume

Photo: Abdullahi Salat/IRIN

IDPs in Hiiraan region of central Somalia: More than 65,000 people had been displaced by fighting between insurgents and Ethiopian troops in July

NAIROBI, 17 September 2008 (IRIN) - Talks to end the conflict in Somalia have resumed in Djibouti, but human rights activists have warned that continuing violence has taken a heavy toll on the civilian population, especially in Mogadishu.

The talks between representatives of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and a faction of an Eritrea-based opposition alliance, the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, led by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, resumed on 17 September.

Neither the armed wing of the Islamic Courts, the Al-Shabab group, nor the Asmara-faction of the ARS, led by Sheikh Hassan Dahir, is involved.

The most important point under discussion is how a ceasefire agreed for 19 September will be implemented. "This is the biggest item on the agenda and both sides are expected to present their proposals," a source involved in the talks said.

"The TFG is supposed to bring a timetable for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia and based on that, a decision is expected to be made on a ceasefire," he said. There were, however, disagreements on how to implement the withdrawal.

The TFG is pushing for a phased withdrawal, while the Alliance wants it to happen at one go. "If they cannot find a compromise on that I don’t see any chance for agreement," he added.

Ali Sheikh Yassin, acting chairman of the Mogadishu-based Elman Human Rights Organisation, said an immediate ceasefire, particularly in Mogadishu, was unlikely. "I don't see how they can realistically implement a ceasefire on Friday [19 September], with the way the violence is continuing unabated. There was heavy fighting this morning."

Worsening violence

According to the rights group, this year has been worse for the civilian population than last year.

"By any measure this year has been very bad, with an increase in rape cases, killing of civilians and abductions of aid workers and journalists," said Yassin.

Since the beginning of 2007, when Ethiopian troops ousted the Union of Islamic Courts, nearly 9,500 people had been killed in Somalia. Of these, 838 were killed between June and August.

"Of that number over 50 percent were women and children and 35 percent were young men between the ages of 14 and 20."

Young men seemed to be especially targeted. "This age group is in particular danger because they are seen as of military age, but most of those killed were students who had nothing to do with the parties to the conflict."

Rape cases had also increased compared with last year. "We have documented 102 rape cases so far this year, against 84 last year," adding that the numbers did not reflect the real problem. "Many women are too ashamed or scared to report rapes or seek help," he said.

Yassin said the fighting, which was concentrated in Mogadishu in 2007, had spread to most parts of the south and "so has the suffering and displacement".

In Hiiraan region of central Somalia, more than 65,000 people had been displaced by fighting between insurgents and Ethiopian troops in July. "Most of the residents of Beletweyne [the regional capital] have been displaced, along with people who were already IDPs," he said.

Abductions targeting aid workers had also more than doubled this year. "We have recorded 54 abductions, 51 of aid workers and three journalists, including two foreigners," Yassin said. "Last year, aid workers faced difficulties but their lives were not at risk and they were not personally targeted for kidnappings."

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