Bloody era when human rights violations escalated in Somalia...........

The violence which raced through Mogadishu, the capital city, between government forces, the dreaded Al-Shabaab and allies on May 7, 2009, was the most tormenting of Somalia's damned civil war cycle

It was a horrible situation never witnessed before in war-raved Somalia.

It was a matter of grave concern for every human being who had a conscious over the atrocities meted out on the Somali civilians, resident in Mogadishu in particular, and committed by the parties to the conflict.

Mogadishu- Somalia's capital city was scarred by the violent twist of events.

The violence which erupted in Mogadishu on May 7, 2009, generalized by the fighting between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces, the armed opposition groups of AL-Shabaab, and the allies of Hizbul-Islam forces, was the most devastating in the last years of the Somalia civil war.

The bullet-pumping of the local citizenry and public installations, forced over 120,000 people to flee their homes in Mogadishu, and the central regions of Somalia, from May 7 to June 8th, 2009.

The manner in which the civilians were victimized by the conflict was regarded as totally unacceptable, under any circumstances.

Children recruited as soldiers of war

Many families were separated from their children, as local human rights groups accused warring groups of committing child abuse for allegedly recruiting innocent children as soldiers of war.

The International committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), provides support for Mogadishu´s two surgical referral hospitals managed by the Somali Red Crescent Society, and the community-based Medina hospital in the southern part of the city.

ICRC reported that medical staff of two hospitals were treating more than 1,500 victims since January, mostly civilian-weapon-wounded patients, women and children included.

Journalists assassinated

Local journalists in Mogadishu drawn from the print and electronic media, and numbering 15, were assassinated in the previous two years.

On June 6, 2009, Mr. Mohktar Hirabe- director of Shabelle radio in Mogadishu, was shot five times to death by unknown people at Bakara market in Mogadishu, while vibrant presenter Ahmed Omar Hassan, who was accompanying Mr. Hirab, was left for dead during the ugly episode.

Following this bloody incident, local journalists in Mogadishu resolved on May 8th, 2009 to suspend their operations, owing to the constant threats they were receiving in the course of their duties, at their work stations.

Somalia is considered the most dangerous places for journalists after Iraq.

The Somali Transitional Federal Parliament (TFG) categorically condemned the cold�"blooded assassinations of the journalists, threats they were receiving from the perpetrators, and repeatedly urged the government to take the necessary measures pertaining to the safety of journalists, besides instituting a thorough probe into the atrocities committed by the villains.

The wrongdoer´s should face the full force of the law in accordance with Somalia´s legal system, TFG demanded.

Compensation

The government, it demanded further, should set up a victim´s compensation fund for journalists killed in the line of duty.

Condemnation of the said assassinations was issued by chairpersons of parliamentary committees on behalf of the Somali  parliament.

At the same time, they requested Somalia journalists not to down their tools.

The International Contact Group (I CG) on Somalia 9-10 June 2009 Rome communique, which was the 15th meeting of concerned groups on troubled Somalia, was later held, as a matter of national importance, under the chairmanship of the UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould�"Abdallah.

The meeting was officially opened by former Italian Foreign Affairs minister, Franco Frattini, and then Somali Prime Minister H.E. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke.

The I CG welcomed the commitment made by the Transitional government of Somalia in achieving political stability through inclusive processes.

The I CG called on all partners to support the Somali government politically, financially and technically, and through a comprehensive approach, to enable it deliver enhanced security for the protection of civilians, basic services and provision of employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.

The I CG affirmed its commitment to the stability, security and prosperity of Somalia.

It urged the international community to operationalize its development and assistance strategies, in order to further support any progress made by the Somali government.

The group requested for joint Somali government and United Nations reports on the support provided.

The I CG recognized the need for planning processes for the commencement of international reconstruction and development conference.

The group deplored the recent attempt by extremist armed opposition groups to overthrow the legitimate and internationally recognized Somali government.

I CG also supported engagement of the inter governmental authority on development(I GAD) and the African Union Peace and Security Council, as it called for urgent discussions on recommendations of their recent meetings.

Although the I CG was working hammer and tongs to ensure restoration of peace and stability in Somalia, the right and ideal approach to the process was still lacking.

Clan power fighting

The problem in Somalia stems from clan power fighting, clearly exacerbated by two groups which are against the restoration of state sovereignty and peace.

These two groups are divided between those who looted property and those who made a fortune in the absence of the government, unless they themselves ascend to the throne, or seize control of the state.

The Transitional Federal Government and the United Nations were on the firing line for not adopting the six documents which emanated, or were products of the historic Peace and Reconciliation Conference, convened in Nairobi some years back.

Road Map

The documents were the road map for peace in Somalia.

Pundits averred that failure to adopt them had forestalled harmony and unity in the chaotic nation.

The six documents are the charter, the conflict resolution, dispute and settlement and return of property to their rightful owners which includes farms and land, demobilization, disarmament and re-integration (DD R), recovery of the economy and rehabilitation report, as well as the international and regional relations report.