Ethiopia donates ammunitions to Somali government – report

Oct 3, 2006 (MOGADISHU) — Officials of the presidency of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) are said to be transporting ammunition from Dolo in Ethiopia-Somali border. Reports say the ammunition has been donated to the TFG by Ethiopia.

A TFG official, accompanied by Ethiopian officials, left the seat of the Somali government, Baydhabo, yesterday for Dolo, Ethiopia. A military consignment of ammunition and weapons was in Dolo, and was donated by Ethiopia in its efforts to defend the TFG.

Two vehicles transporting the weapons have crossed from Luuq, Gedo Region in south-western Somalia, and are heading for Baydhabo, the Somali Shabeelle said.

Many Ethiopian troops are in Baydhabo and have moved 22 km east of Baydhabo, the Soamli radio reported.

Eye witnesses in Gode Region of Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State say Ethiopian military aircraft with many weapons and arms on board have landed there. Reports say the military consignment is intended for Somalia.

The Somali interim government urged the United Nations Security Council to lift a 14-year-old arms embargo on Somalia. However, the ban is maintained.

“They all must be unanimous to lift the arms embargo on Somalia in order to prepare and re-establish our national security forces, train them and equip them in order for them to protect Somali soil, the government and the people of Somalia,” the pro-Ethiopian Somali Prime minister said.

Somalia’s interim government accuses Eritrea of sending troops and weapons to help the country’s newly powerful Islamist movement, and said such action was the main obstacle to peace.

Eritrea has long denied any involvement in Somalia, but a U.N. Security Council report in May said it has sent weapons to the Islamists repeatedly in a bid to frustrate rival Ethiopia, which supports the government.

(ST)