Little support in Somalia for AU peace-keeping force

Mogadishu has reacted with mixed feelings to a request by Somalia's newly-elected president that the African Union (AU) deploy up to 20,000 troops to help disarm factional fighters and rebuild the devastated country.

"No need of troops from outside, they will impose their own ill intentions on the people of Somalia. They are like Somali warlords," said Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who is of charge of Islamic courts in Mogadishu.

On Monday President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, who was elected by transitional lawmakers sitting in Nairobi, asked the AU's Peace and Security Council to send between 15,000 and 20,000 troops to Somalia to help disarm fighters and restore stability.

Somalia has lacked a recognized central government since the 1991 fall of dictator Muhammad Siad Barre.

"We can't accept any foreign soldier in our soil. It is better to die rather than be instructed by AU troops in Mogadishu. That kind of action would remind me of my brother who was killed by UN troops in 1993," said driver Nur Warasame Nur.

International efforts to relieve famine and restore peace in Somalia began in 1992 and were aborted in 1994 after several deadly clashes between the US-led peacekeepers and Somali fighters.

Mogadishu trader Muhammad Hussein Ahmed said on Monday: "I personally would have supported [Yusuf's appeal] if the AU countries were paying for the peacekeepers," but instead "they ask for help from donors and use money which could have assisted us to rebuild Somalia... AU troops are really parasites," he added.

"Bandits are the ones rejecting the disarmament. Without troops from the international community the Somali leaders can't disarm the gunmen in the streets. Let them come and arrest criminals," said Ahmed Ali Muhammad, a civilian who hails in north Mogadishu.

Muhammad Nur Galal, a former army general who now supports Yusuf, said the president's appeal was premature.

"The decision to deploy troops in Somalia should be made after the president appoints a government. If there is need for outside forces, they should only be a few, not 20,000 or so, to collaborate with a new Somali army and to train them," Galal said.

Veteran warlord Hussein Mohamed Aidid agreed, saying that, "First, a representative government that guarantees the well-being of all clans should be established, before the militia give in their weapons. The use of force would end in serious human tragedy."

"I and other faction leaders are ready to give in weapons after we accept the new prime minister to be appointed and the formation of his government. Any attempt to deploy troops at this stage would be futile and dangerous for both Somalis and outside troops," Aidid added.