Mohamed Sheik Nor
The protesters chanted antigovernment slogans and burned tires a day after the African Union said three battalions of peacekeepers from Uganda and Nigeria were ready to be deployed in Somalia as soon as possible.
"We will not tolerate foreign troops coming to our country," demonstrator Saida Hussien said. "We will show the world that we are against the foreign troops."
Another demonstrator, Abdiqadir Hassan Diriye, said: "As long as I’m breathing, I will fight with the foreign troops who are coming to our country."
The demonstrators protested in northern Mogadishu, an area known for its strong support of the militant Council of Islamic Courts.
Ethiopia’s military intervention on behalf of the U.N.-backed Somali government in December proved crucial in routing militias loyal to the courts council.
The protesters called for the return of the Islamic movement, which was credited with restoring some order in the violent nation.
Factional violence has again become a feature of life in Mogadishu since the Islamic movement fled.
Mortar and grenade attacks also have been launched against Ethiopian and government troop garrisons in the city.
Late yesterday, nine mortar rounds hit Mogadishu’s seaport, said Mohamed AbdulKadir, who lives in the area.
The mortars were fired at an Ethiopian and government base at the port, he said. It was unclear whether there were any casualties.
Ethiopia says it does not have the resources to stay and already has begun withdrawing —a move that could create a dangerous power vacuum.
The African Union was pressing ahead with its peacekeeping mission, even though African leaders at a summit that ended Tuesday promised to provide only about half of the 8,000 troops needed.
Five nations — Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi, Burundi and Ghana — have pledged about 4,000 troops.
Source: AP, Feb 02, 2007