Violence has been escalating in the capital [of Somalia], where insurgents are launching attacks almost daily on government officials, the Ethiopian troops backing them and African Union peacekepers trying to stop the fighting. The Somali government has responded by detaining elders from opposition clans in a bid to force them to back the authorities.
But during a visit to Washington by Ali Mohamed Gedi, the prime minister of the Somalia Transitional Federal Government (TFG), US officials relayed their concerns that such arrests were hampering the reconciliation process.
| US officials don't understand the concept of hostage-taking. |
"We underscored the importance of political accomodation with key Somalia stakeholders," said a US State Department statement issued after a meeting with Gedi Monday. "We also expressed our concern that recent arrests and detentions of prominent citizens and respected non-governmental organizations in Mogadishu undermine efforts for a national dialogue and political reconciliation, including the general amnesty issued by President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed," it added.
Gedi was also urged to ensure "the immediate release of individuals currently in detention consistent with the terms of the amnesty, and prevent further harassment of the opposition and the press".
Earlier this month, a United Nations-backed peace conference was postponed for the third time due to a lack of funds and insurgent threats. It is now scheduled to take place on July 15. |