Somali islamist oppose Djibouti peace troops

9 Feb 9, 2010 - 1:39:41 PM



Somalia’s Hizbul Islam officials condemns Djibouti for its readiness to send peacekeeping troops to the war-torn country.

Sheik Mohamed Ma'alin, the information secretary of Hizbul Islam told a press conference in the Somali capital Mogadishu that the brotherly and neighboring country is undertaking a foreign agenda that will destroy the Somali people.

“It’s unfortunate that Djibouti is becoming part of the countries that work for foreign interest, which undermine Somali people. We urge them not send troops to Somalia, he said.

He announced that his group is planning to conduct on Friday a large demonstration to oppose the deployment of Djiboutian troops into the country.

Djibouti, which has played crucial role in hosting Somali reconciliation and peace talks, has recently pledged to send peacekeeping troops to the war-torn on the request of both AU and Somali government.

AU has more than 5,000-strong peacekeeping troops from Uganda and Burundi who are helping the weak but internationally recognized government fight militant groups in the restive capital Mogadishu.

However, the troops are under constant attacks from Al-Shabaab and its affiliates vowed to overthrow the transition government.

Meanwhile, unknown gunmen have attacked a Hizbul-Islam official in Afgoye town, 30 kilometers south of the Somali capital Mogadishu.

Reports say that explosions, set-off at midnight, targeted Sheik Osman Fidow Hassan, head of justice for Hizbul-Islam, in lower Shabelle region.

“The cowardly attack was purposely conducted by groups that are opposed to our administration,” he told reporters.

Fidow is the second Hizbul Islam official that has come under attack within a week.

Last Thursday, a Hizbul Islam official called Bare Ali Bare was attacked by unknown assailants while entering his house in the capital Mogadishu.

No group has claimed responsibility of the attacks.