Somalia's govt begins imposing martial law

Somalia’s interim government began imposing martial law in areas under its control, the prime minister said, as rising violence threatens its tenuous grip on power.

A curfew was imposed last night on the southern Somalia town of Baidoa, as Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi warned remnants of an ousted Islamic movement had returned to the towns and were planning to destabilise the lawless country.

“From now on the martial law would be implemented across government controlled areas, starting with Baidoa tonight,” Gedi told government-controlled radio late yesterday.

The three-month-long emergency law was announced on January 13 but was never implemented. Its imposition came as African leaders meeting in neighbouring Ethiopia failed to make up a shortfall of 4,000 troops for a peacekeeping mission to Somalia.

Fears are mounting that Somalia could again be plunged into civil war without a peacekeeping force.

Ethiopia has begun withdrawing its forces, with diplomats warning it could create a power vacuum.

Last night, unknown gunmen attacked Ethiopian bases on the north-eastern outskirts of the capital with rocket propelled grenades. No civilians were hurt, a businessman said.