By Ali Muse Abdi
Monday, March 26, 2007

A Somali soldier imprisoned by the Islamist militia. Somalia's powerful Hawiye clan has released government forces captured during bloody clashes last week as the Somali government sought dialogue with the clan in a bid to pacify Mogadishu.(AFP/Jose Cendon)

The Hawiye on Friday made a shaky ceasefire deal with Ethiopian troops backing the Somali government but the government did not participate because the Hawiye elders do not recognise its legality.

Hawiye officials released 18 government soldiers captured on March 21 in some of the heaviest fighting since the government and its Ethiopian allies drove out Islamist guerrillas from the capital three months ago.

"The troops are now free to go anywhere they want to. They were not mistreated while in custody and their rights were not violated, in accordance with the Somali traditions," said clan elder and spokesman Ahmed Diriye.

Officials said a total of 26 were captured and four others had been admitted to hospital while another four had died.

Meanwhile, the Somali government on Monday sought dialogue with the powerful Hawiye clan to which most insurgents belong.

The government is struggling to pacify the capital ahead of a National Reconciliation Conference, planned to start April 16, despite threats of disruption by Islamists.

Somali Interior Minister Muhamoud Hamed Gulled said that the authorities were now extending an olive branch to the Hawiye.

"We have had some misunderstanding with the Hawiye elders, but we will talk with them to resolve the problems," Gulled said in a message broadcast by local radio stations.

"The young men who have been firing rockets into government positions should come and talk to us about their grievances and we will address them. We are ready for dialogue and the government will use all measures to make Mogadishu peaceful," he added.

The Hawiye elders welcomed the government's change of heart and said they would strive to maintain the fragile truce that has already been strained by belligerent wings of the clan.

"The government statement is welcome if it is sincere about it," said Diriye. "We have always called for dialogue and we have truly said we need peace in Mogadishu."

"We all hope the truce will hold."

At least 24 people were killed and hundreds more wounded in last week's fighting, while suspected insurgents shot down a cargo plane over Mogadishu on Friday, killing 11 people on board.

Meanwhile, press rights group Reporters Without Borders on Monday said that a Somali reporter from Radio Shabelle and his driver had been released on Saturday, after being held by government troops for three days.

Mogadishu remained relatively calm Monday as the fragile truce appeared to hold.

The interior minister called on the thousands of Somalis who have fled the capital in recent weeks to return.

"Since both sides support the ceasefire I am urging the Somali people to return home," Gulled said.

A bloody power struggle that followed the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre exploded into a full-scale civil war that has defied more than 14 attempts to restore a functional government.

Source: AFP, Mar 26, 2007

simansime @ 3/27/2007 10:20 AM EST  NACNAC, these prisoners are not freed in good faith, but by fear.

Secret_Society @ 3/27/2007 4:13 AM EST  Let me first say Hiiraan.com thanks for deleting my username (somalilander). I might hack you if i have to but be cool. goin back to the subject. Hawiye well done, they thought you were game and they never learned from 1991 and Utango. Now they all on their knees begging, abdillahi yusuf is literally on his knees for Ali Mahdi, "please save me". Ali Mahdi is looking after the world fool without the kidneys. Hawiye didnt want the Islamic Courts, and the Islamic Courts wont just Hawiye, it was every clan including isaaq, ogaden, dhulos, mjs. But you darood kids think you can just open fire in mogadishu, you better understand you facing real soldiers and they will take you back to Utango. Thats the way Hawiye. Respect.

garaad12 @ 3/27/2007 4:07 AM EST  MARSHALE adeer dharaata naga daa rag aan aqaano ayaa ku jira oo weliba aaynu xigto nahay marka aadiga haddii uusan dad kaa maqneyn dadka dadkooda gacanta lagu haayo dhibaato ha u keenin ilaahna ka baq oo dhaarta daa. ilaah bey ka tahay in aanan xumaan ula jeedi.

CXASAN @ 3/27/2007 3:34 AM EST  has Hiiraan Online bought by the TFG??? what is going on?

rootiyare @ 3/27/2007 2:12 AM EST  who is the hawia elders you are talking about, were they been  other world last 16 years when their ganges been killing torcherin the inocent peopol sorry my felow somali to say that but it is true.