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Somalia

Mogadishu on the move: Residents protest against militants

(Mogadishu, 23 October 2010) Thousands of people on Saturday rallied at Gen. Kahie Police Academy (Scuola Polizia) in Mogadishu to show their anger and frustration against the ongoing atrocities by the militant groups, in one of the largest demonstrations in recent years.

The demonstrators from all districts of Mogadishu, dressed in traditional clothes, chanted slogans denouncing the violent groups and shouted their support for the government and its peace-building efforts. Some of them carried posters with slogans such as "Let's liberate ourselves from Shabab's brutal rule."

The demonstrators expressed their appreciation and support for the Banadir Administration's activities which gave them a hope. Improvement of security in government-controlled districts in Mogadishu, street lighting projects, road reconstruction, and sanitation are among the projects implemented during the last six months by the administration under the incumbent mayor, Mohamud Ahmed Nur (aka Tarzan.)

The mayor called upon Somalis to stand up and say no to al-Shabab, who denied Somali children a bright future. "I challenge Godane [leader of the Somali members of al-Shabab] to come out and speak in a public space like this, as well as lead the fighting if he firmly believes he is waging jihad," he said "why should he send children and cover his face like women!"

Sheik Abdulkadir Ali Omar, Somalia Minister of Interior addressed the rally.

"Everyone has a role in bringing peace to the country. The security forces can do little if people do not work with them. We, therefore, ask the public to boldly take their role."

Also present in the event was Abdirahman Omar Osman (Eng. Yarisow), minister of information.

END

Ministry of Information, Mogadishu