Ethiopia fully withdraws troops from Somalia capital

By Tesfa-alem Tekle

January 15, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia has withdrew the last unit of its forces from the Somalia capital, Mogadishu, handing over security to Somalia forces.

The move comes after Ethiopia made two-year long intervention in Somalia to help the fragile government to its war against Islamic fighters. The pullout is seen as result of the incessant power struggle between the Somali factions and the lack of international support to Addis Ababa.

There hasn’t been any security problem during the withdrawal or while the forces were moving out to Baidewa, as necessary security preparations were made, Ethiopia forces chief in Somalia colonel Gebreyohanns Abate told reporters.

There are growing fears that the complete withdrawal of Ethiopia could create power vacuum in Somalia. But Addis Ababa says that its forces will remain at her borders to Somalia and may re-enter for measures whenever it believes it is necessary to protect regional interests and domestic security.

One day after Ethiopia handed over Mogadishu security to Somalia forces, Islamist fighters are reported to have attacked the presidential palace leaving 5 people killed.

Unless additional peacekeepers and extra funds are speeded up by the international community to boost the African mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and with the hard line Islamists still threatening to fight even after Ethiopia withdrawal, Somalia will remain to be the source of tension in the horn of Africa region.

And it will tomorrow be likely for Ethiopia to re-enter Somalia as it will never accept to have a hostile regime next door.

More than 16,000 civilians were killed since the start of 2007, after Addis Ababa sent military forces to help the government drive a sharia courts movement out of Mogadishu. One million people have been forced from their homes.

(ST)