SOMALIA: Flights out of Somalia's capital resume as weapons ban takes effect

Record ID: 349042

  • Title: SOMALIA: Flights out of Somalia's capital resume as weapons ban takes effect
  • Date: 8th May 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Somali) DJIBRIL AHMED, MOGADISHU RESIDENT, SAYING: "It was difficult for us to leave Mogadishu, we're grateful that the airport is now open."
  • Embargoed: 23rd May 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Somalia
  • Country: Somalia
  • Topics: War / Fighting
  • Reuters ID: LVAENZUVPBIYG5GDTKDJX34RFGD
  • Story Text: Flights have resumed from Mogadishu after a lull in the worst fighting to hit the Somali capital in over 16 years. Backed up by African Union peacekeepers, the country's government is also trying to use this period to disarm people in the city. Flights had been cancelled out of Mogadishu's International Airport since late April when battles pitting the government troops and their Ethiopian allies against insurgents engulfed the Somali capital again. Over 1000 people have been killed in fighting since late March, making it the worse spate of violence experienced here in over 16 years.
    But a few days of peace have given airline operators the chance to resume their flights. Ticket sellers are doing brisk business as people use the lull in fighting to travel in and out of the city.
    "We have encountered many challenges, but we are dedicated to serving our society and will continue to do so whatever risks and problems we face in Mogadishu. We know that other airlines have suspended their flights to Mogadishu," says Abdikadir Dhore, the manager of the African Express airline.
    Somalis who live abroad but had been trapped in Mogadishu during the fighting were amongst the first people to buy tickets. Some other passengers were making business trips and would soon return.
    "It was difficult for us to leave Mogadishu, we're grateful that the airport is now open," said Djibril Ahmed, who lives in Mogadishu.
    The government is also using this period to handle some administrative issues. A new mayor Mohamed Omar Habeeb was sworn in on Friday (May 4) to govern the city whose infrastructure has been decimated by decades of conflict.
    Habeeb wasted no time in asserting his authority.
    "From today the 4th of May, we have banned the bearing of arms inside Mogadishu city," he proclaimed shortly after the ceremony.
    According to officials, about 150 businessmen have registered to turn in their weapons so far. But they are a tiny fraction of those in one of the world's most heavily armed cities.
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