Anti-Ethiopia demos held in Somalia’s Lower Shabeelle Region

By Somalia’s private commercial Radio Shabeelle

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Feb 16, 2005 (Radio Shabeelle) — The administration in Lower Shabeelle Region, in southern Somalia, today discussed the deployment of peacekeeping troops from the frontline states, particularly those from Ethiopia.

The regional administration vowed to fight if Ethiopian troops are deployed in Somalia.

The chairman of the Lower Shabeelle regional administration, Shaykh Yusuf Hinda’ade, told Radio Shabeelle that demonstrations, which took place today in Lower Shabeelle Region, were signs of the opposition against Ethiopian troops coming to Somalia. The chairman said his administration will not accept the deployment of troops from frontline states in Somalia.

When asked what action his administration will take if troops from the frontline states are deployed, he said, if Somali MPs fail to rise to their responsibility and defend the country’s interests, people and religion, then there will be attacks on the MPs and foreign troops.

He urged people from Lower Shabeelle to express their views about the deployment of the Ethiopian troops without any fear. He said the administration will implement the people’s will.

Hinda’ade further said “We are fully prepared to confront the Ethiopian government, both materially and morally, until the last man”.

He however, indicated his administration was not opposed to the deployment of peacekeepers from the African Union and Arab League, stressing that they will not accept the deployment of troops from the countries that colonize Somali territories.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.