BBC: Heavy fighting erupts in Somalia

[Eugene]

Last Updated: Wednesday, 20 December 2006, 12:16 GMT

Heavy fighting erupts in Somalia

Heavy fighting has broken out on at least two fronts near the weak Somali
interim government's base in Baidoa.

A deadline from Islamists for Ethiopia to withdraw troops from Somalia or
face "major attacks" expired on Tuesday.

Residents say pro-government forces and the Islamic militia exchanged
mortar shells at Burhakaba, 25km from Baidoa.

A European Union envoy is in Baidoa meeting officials. There are fears an
all-out war would plunge the entire Horn of Africa region into crisis.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6195863.stm

[theHandpuppet]

1. Listened to an NPR piece on this earlier this morning

Sounds grim -- so many countries in Africa going to hell in a handbasket whilst the world whistles past the graveyard once known as Baghdad.

[Eugene]

2. (Reuters) Somali govt, Islamists to attend peace talks: EU

Somali govt, Islamists to attend peace talks: EU

1 hour, 20 minutes ago

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Somalia's interim government and rival Islamists have pledged
to attend a fourth round of peace talks, a European Union envoy said on Wednesday
after two days of clashes that have heightened fears of war.

"Both parties have reiterated their commitment to the Khartoum process and to a
political solution to the Somalia crisis," European Commissioner for Development
and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel told a news conference.

-snip-

Michel was unable to give a date for the next round of negotiations, but said he
hoped it would be soon.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061220/wl_nm/somalia_conflict_envoy_dc