'Weapons ban' declared in Mogadishu

Col. Abdullahi Hassan Barise, the Somali police spokesman, told a Sunday press conference in Mogadishu that no civilians can carry weapons in public.

"No person can carry a weapon in Mogadishu and anyone who does so will be investigated," Col. Barise declared, adding that the decree was issued from the office of Gen. Abdi Qeybdiid, the national police chief.

Mogadishu roads are manned by soldiers in military uniform, with the public complaining that the soldiers collect extortion money from commercial drivers.

"We will fight against anyone who wears government uniform and disturbs the flow of commercial and human traffic," Col. Barise said, while indirectly referring to the unruly soldiers.

The Somali government has imposed weapons ban orders on Mogadishu in the past with no success.

Prime Minister's plan

On Saturday, Prime Minister Sharmake told a Mogadishu press conference that the government will give priority to paying members of the security forces.

He declared the establishment of a special committee to monitor and safeguard government revenue, mostly taxes collected from the international airport and the port facility in the Somali capital.

"This committee is intended to protect government assets, so that mistakes can be avoided," Prime Minister Sharmake said, adding: "The committee will fall under the Prime Minister's office and will ensure that taxes are collected properly."

He also briefly spoke about anti-government rebels, who have vowed to attack African Union peacekeepers serving in Mogadishu.

"This is a government of reconciliation and we will try to speak with every opposition group, so that conflict can be resolved through dialogue," the Prime Minister added.

Somalia's government of national unity faces difficult challenges in a country torn apart of 18 years of war, drought and disease.