Thursday, 17 February 2005An explosion in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, has killed at least one person and left six others injured.
Witnesses said an explosive device was attached to a motorbike at a roadside. The blast took place as an African Union delegation left Mogadishu as part of a visit to assess security for a possible regional military force.
There have been daily demonstrations against plans for troops to be deployed to assist in the safe return of the Kenya-based government.
Troops
President Abdullahi Yusuf has asked the AU for a large peacekeeping force, but the possible participation of Ethiopian troops is controversial because it has been involved in the power-struggles which have raged in Somalia since 1991.
Correspondents say Mr Yusuf needs outside security if his government is to be able to operate safely in the city.
He is from the northern region of Puntland, has no ties with the clans controlling the capital, and is seen as being close to Ethiopia.
Mogadishu remains under the control of rival warlords and their gun-toting militiamen.
These warlords have all been named in Mr Yusuf's government but their gunmen have not started to disarm.
Last week, visiting BBC producer Kate Peyton was killed in a shooting outside the same hotel, the Sahafi, where the AU delegation had been staying.
The blast happened about a kilometre from there by the building housing the former foreign ministry. |
Thursday, 17 February 2005
BBC News
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