Somali clan declares war on Ethiopia

Tribal leaders of Somalia's largest clan, the Hawai, have declared war against Ethiopian troops. A spokesperson for the Hawai clan has implored Somalis to assist them in their fight, exclaiming: "The war is not between Ethiopia and our tribe, it is between Ethiopia and all Somali people". The move threatens to undermine the already precarious Ethiopian-backed interim government. Diplomats from neighbouring nations met today in Kenya in a bid to address the escalating violence in Somalia, as well the role and cost of the AU presence in the country. They are expected to push for an increased peacekeeping force for the country. [AlJazeera, April 13]

From Madrid11.net Security Briefs, April 13

See our last posts on Somalia and the struggle for the Horn of Africa.