- Title: SOMALIA: Ethiopia reopens its embassy in chaotic Somalia capital Mogadishu
- Date: 27th May 2007
- Summary: MORE OF SOMALI TRADITIONAL DANCERS ENTERTAINING GUESTS/ SINGING AND DANCING
- Embargoed: 11th June 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Somalia
- City:
- Country: Somalia
- Topics:
- Reuters ID: LVADMNQVKZ3WY9X8RY51NEL0EHTE
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: After joining hands with Somali government to crash the insurgents, Ethiopia reopens its embassy in the Somali capital Mogadishu.
Ethiopia on Sunday (May 27) opened an embassy in the chaotic Somali capital next to the presidential palace, in the latest sign of Horn of Africa military power's close ties with a Somali government it wants to sustain.
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin, a key player Addis Ababa's efforts to bolster the government of Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf, opened the embassy on the third day of his latest visit to Mogadishu.
Seyoum and Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi, whose appointment from obscurity to one of Somalia's top political jobs came at Addis Ababa's behest in late 2004, jointly raised Ethiopia's green, yellow and red, flag at the opening ceremony.
"It's a singular honour and privilege for me to welcome you to this premises of the Ethiopian Embassy which is formally reopened an inaugurated today," Ethiopia Foreign Affairs Minister Seyoum Masfin said.
Ethiopia's army helped Yusuf's soldiers oust a militant Islamist group from southern Somalia in a quick war over the New Year, clearing the way for the government to return to a capital that had lay beyond its grasp since its formation in 2004.
Both Addis Ababa and Washington say Islamist leaders have ties to al Qaeda, an assessment independent security experts share.
"Another landmark which is symbolized by the reopening of this Embassy, enemies of Somalia are the enemies of our region at the Horn, enemies of peace, security and development. Most Somalis and Ethiopians believe they have one common primary enemy, and that is poverty and under development," Siyoum added.
It is not the first embassy to begin functioning since the government took over the city in the last days of December, Libya and Sudan already had embassies but Somalia Prime Minister suggested on his speech that Ethiopia was the first.
"The situation of Somalia today has opened a new chapter of peace that TFG is working with supporting international communities and we thank the Ethiopian government to be the first country to re-open its diplomatic office in Somalia," said Geddi.
A handful of Islamist fighters have carried out guerrilla attacks against the government and Ethiopian soldiers, and have increasingly adopted Iraq-style attacks like roadside bombs and assassinations in what they say is a holy war, or jihad.
The hit-and-run attacks have increased since the government and Ethiopia carried out two armor and artillery offensives in March and April to wipe out Islamist strongholds.
Local residents welcomed the embassy opening but were not happy that the agreement was conducted by the two governments without consulting the residents.
"This is a new chapter that has started in Somalia and we have to realise that," said a resident Abdullahi Mohamed while others were not optimistic of the benefits of their country.
"It's good for them to open and be happy in Somalia but I don't think opening an embassy needed the two governments to agree but they need the support of the society," Mohamoud Awale added.
The ensuing battles killed at least 1,300 people and levelled neighbourhoods in the worst fighting in the capital since 1991 -- the year warlords plunged Somalia into anarchy by ousting dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
Yusuf's administration is the 14th shot at re-establishing national government since then. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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