MOGADISHU (AFP) – Truckloads of Ethiopian and Somali troops on Wednesday captured the strategic Somali city of Baidoa from Al-Qaeda allied Shebab insurgents, who vowed to avenge their biggest loss for several months.

The blow to the insurgency coincided with the UN Security Council boosting the strength of an African Union force in Mogadishu by more than 5,000 troops and came on the eve of conference in London aimed at reviving peace efforts.

“We have taken control of Baidoa without a single shot, it is a great day for the people who are now welcoming us warmly,” said Muhidin Ali, a Somali government military commander in Baidoa.

Baidoa, 250 kilometres (155 miles) northwest of the capital Mogadishu, was the seat of Somalia’s transitional parliament until the hardline Shebab captured it three years ago.

It had since been one of the Shebab’s main bases and its capture leaves the group’s fighters in central Somalia increasingly isolated, with the African Union mission (AMISOM) also chasing them out of the capital.

The insurgents still control large parts of southern Somalia, but a months-old Kenyan land and air offensive there is also making some progress.

Facing major offensives on three fronts, the Shebab reverted to guerrilla attacks including suicide bombings and remained defiant Wednesday.

“The takeover does not mean that the enemy will enjoy the city, there will be more bloodshed,” said Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim, a Shebab commander.

“The areas they took will only be the graveyards of the Christian invading forces and their apostate Somali militia.”

Shebab fighters claimed they made a tactical retreat as “Ethiopian troops numbering thousands armed with heavy weapons and tanks” poured into the city, Ibrahim said.

The pullback follows the Shebab’s abandoning of most fixed positions in Mogadishu last August after failing to oust the transitional government in four years of bloody battles.

Sporadic shooting was reported late Wednesday on the outskirts of the town, but residents said Baidoa was largely calm.

“We are at the centre now and moving towards every corners of the town, to ensure that we are in full control,” Ali added.

Ethiopian troops, who moved into southern and western Somalia in November, began a major push towards Baidoa on Tuesday.

The Shebab are now “on the run,” Ethiopian government spokesman Bereket Simon said. “We are committed to supporting the Somali people… for the demise of Al-Shebab and the liberation of Somalia.”

Baidoa resident Abdulahi Hassan said Somali and Ethiopian forces had begun establishing a base at “the police station and the main crossroads in town.”

“People are out in the streets watching the soldiers who are gradually moving into the different parts of the city,” Hassan said.

The rebels are already struggling financially and face increasing pressure from regional armies and pro-government forces. The rebels still control the southern port town of Kismayo, a major source of income.

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali called Baidoa “one of the most important cities” in southwestern Somalia, confirming its fall to reporters in London ahead of Thursday’s conference.

Witnesses had said earlier that Shebab fighters and their families were seen fleeing Baidoa towards rebel-held Afgoye, where AMISOM and its allies have vowed to launch a major operation.

“Many people, most of them Al-Shebab families and supporters, are fleeing Baidoa,” said Hussein Ali, a resident. “They are heading towards Afgoye.”

Even as officials and commanders confirmed the fall of Baidoa, the UN Security Council in New York approved increasing AMISOM’s capacity to 17,731 from its current maximum of 12,000.

The force currently consists of around 10,000 troops from Uganda, Burundi and Djibouti. Kenyan troops are expected to now come under AMISOM command, but not Ethiopian forces.

A resolution passed by the 15-nation council also gave the AU force a tougher mandate to attack the Shebab and to substantially increase international funding for the military operation.

The AU force was “authorised to take all necessary measures” with Somali security forces “to reduce the threat posed by Shebab and other armed opposition groups in order to establish conditions for effective and legitimate governance,” the resolution said.

Article source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/world/12987355/ethiopia-somali-troops-seize-rebel-bastion-of-baidoa/

It had since been one of the al-Shabaab’s main bases and its capture leaves the group’s fighters in central Somalia increasingly isolated, with the African Union mission (AMISOM) also chasing them out of the capital.

The insurgents still control large parts of southern Somalia, but a months-old Kenyan land and air offensive there is also making some progress.

Facing major offensives on three fronts, the al-Shabaab reverted to guerrilla attacks including suicide bombings and remained defiant Wednesday.

“The takeover does not mean that the enemy will enjoy the city, there will be more bloodshed,” said Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim, an al-Shabaab commander.

“The areas they took will only be the graveyards of the Christian invading forces and their apostate Somali militia.”

Al-Shabaab fighters claimed they made a tactical retreat as “Ethiopian troops numbering thousands armed with heavy weapons and tanks” poured into the city, Ibrahim said.

The pullback follows the al-Shabaab’s abandoning of most fixed positions in Mogadishu last August after failing to oust the transitional government in four years of bloody battles.

Sporadic shooting was reported late Wednesday on the outskirts of the town, but residents said Baidoa was largely calm.

“We are at the center now and moving towards every corners of the town, to ensure that we are in full control,” Ali added.

Ethiopian troops, who moved into southern and western Somalia in November, began a major push towards Baidoa on Tuesday.

The al-Shabaab are now “on the run,” Ethiopian government spokesman Bereket Simon said. “We are committed to supporting the Somali people… for the demise of al-Shabaab and the liberation of Somalia.”

Baidoa resident Abdulahi Hassan said Somali and Ethiopian forces had begun establishing a base at “the police station and the main crossroads in town.”

“People are out in the streets watching the soldiers who are gradually moving into the different parts of the city,” Hassan said.

The rebels are already struggling financially and face increasing pressure from regional armies and pro-government forces. The rebels still control the southern port town of Kismayo, a major source of income.

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali called Baidoa “one of the most important cities” in southwestern Somalia, confirming its fall to reporters in London ahead of Thursday’s conference.

Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported on Wednesday that Britain and other EU countries were considering military air strikes on al-Shabaab training camps.

Ali said he would welcome such action against Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab insurgents in Somalia, as long as it did not hurt civilians.

“I have had no discussions of that with the European governments. But targeted al-Shabaab airstrikes are a welcome opportunity,” he said.

Witnesses had said earlier that al-Shabaab fighters and their families were seen fleeing Baidoa towards rebel-held Afgoye, where AMISOM and its allies have vowed to launch a major operation.

“Many people, most of them al-Shabaab families and supporters, are fleeing Baidoa,” said Hussein Ali, a resident. “They are heading towards Afgoye.”

Even as officials and commanders confirmed the fall of Baidoa, the UN Security Council in New York approved increasing AMISOM’s capacity to 17,731 from its current maximum of 12,000.

The force currently consists of around 10,000 troops from Uganda, Burundi and Djibouti. Kenyan troops are expected to now come under AMISOM command, but not Ethiopian forces.

A resolution passed by the 15-nation council also gave the AU force a tougher mandate to attack the al-Shabaab and to substantially increase international funding for the military operation.

The AU force was “authorized to take all necessary measures” with Somali security forces “to reduce the threat posed by al-Shabaab and other armed opposition groups in order to establish conditions for effective and legitimate governance,” the resolution said.

Article source: http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/02/23/196409.html

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Wednesday to authorize an increase in the African Union force in Somalia from 12,000 to about 17,700 and expand its areas of operation in an effort to intensify pressure on al-Shabab militants who recently joined al-Qaida.

As part of its strategy to weaken al-Shabab, the council also ordered a ban on the export and import of charcoal from Somalia, calling the fuel “a significant revenue source” for the militant group.

The council adopted the resolution on the eve of a conference on Somalia on Thursday in London, where senior representatives from more than 40 governments and international organizations are expected to adopt a new approach to the country’s myriad problems.

“This is an important resolution, an important building block toward tomorrow’s conference,” Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said.

He said the British-sponsored resolution gives the AU force, known as AMISOM, the troops and resources necessary to capitalize on the gains it made in pushing al-Shabab fighters out of the capital, Mogadishu, and to increase the military pressure.

U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said the additional resources for AMISOM “could make a decisive difference in weakening terrorism and bringing peace” to Somalia.

Somalia has had transitional administrations for the past seven years but has not had a functioning central government since 1991, when warlords overthrew a longtime dictator and turned on each other, plunging the impoverished Horn of Africa nation into chaos. The weak transitional government has been fighting against al-Shabab, which began as a movement to oust Ethiopian troops from Somalia some six years ago.

The resolution authorizes an increase in AMISOM’s troop ceiling to 17,731 and puts Kenyan troops, which are trying to advance on al-Shabab’s southern stronghold of Kismayo, under the force’s umbrella.

It expands AMISOM’s operations to the south, including the Juba area, and to Baidoa, a major base for al-Shabab in south central Somalia which Ethiopian and Somali forces are trying to retake. Diplomats said Ethiopia did not want to put its troops under AMISOM.

The resolution also expands the U.N.’s logistical and equipment support package for AMISOM, including for the first time funds for nine utility helicopters and three attack helicopters.

Diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations were private, said some European nations and the U.S. initially balked at the cost – estimated at about $300 million – and wanted assurances that the money, which will come from the U.N.’s regular budget, will produce results.

The European Union currently pays the salaries of AMISOM troops. A senior EU official, who could not be named under EU rules, said earlier this week that the 27-member regional group is willing to help pay for more AU troops in an effort to clear al-Shabab militants from the country.

Unlike U.N. peacekeeping forces, AMISOM has been carrying out offensive operations.

For the first time, the Security Council authorized AMISOM “to take all necessary measures as appropriate … to reduce the threat posed by al-Shabab” in its areas of operation, in conjunction with Somali security forces.

Lyall Grant said that expanding AMISOM to areas beyond Mogadishu “will increase the pressure on al-Shabab, further decreasing the space available to them.”

One of the unresolved political issues is the follow-on to Somalia’s transitional government.

The resolution states for the first time that the mandate for the transition will expire on Aug. 20 and declares that any extension “would be untenable.” It calls on the Somali parties to agree on “inclusive and representative post-transitional arrangements.”

Rice, the U.S. ambassador, stressed that “the time for political progress is now.”

She expressed regret that the council didn’t include support for maritime assets for AMISOM, which the U.S. believes would be valuable in its efforts to improve security. “We hope this council will revisit this discussion in the coming months,” she said.

Philippe Bolopion, U.N. director for Human Rights Watch, criticized the council for failing to strengthen “the bare-bones human rights monitoring capacity of the U.N. in Somalia.”

“While the Security Council has limited influence to stop al-Shabab abuses, it is doing a grave disservice to Somalia’s long-suffering civilians by not fully addressing AMISOM’s violations,” he said.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Article source: http://www.keyc.tv/story/16991605/un-votes-to-increase-african-force-in-somalia

የፖለቲካ ተቃውሞ በኢትዮጵያ

ያለፉ ሃያ ዓመታት የኢትዮጵያ የፖለቲካ ተቃውሞ ታሪክ ከ1997ቱ የስኬት እንቅስቃሴ ሌላ የመሣደድና የድክመት እንደነበር የቀድሞ የተቃውሞ መሪ ወ/ት ብርትኳን ሚደቅሣ አስታውቀዋል፡፡

በ ሰሎሞን አባተ
| አዲስ አበባ

ዩናይትድ ስቴትስ ውስጥ ትምህርት ላይ የሚገኙት ወ/ት ብርትኳን ሚደቅሣ ባለፈው ሣምንት ዋሽንግተን ውስጥ የዴሞክራሲ ውርስ /ኢንዳውመንት ፎር ዴሞክራሲ/ የተባለ ተቋም ባዘጋጀው መድረክ ላይ ቀርበው ላይ ተናግረው ነበር፡፡

ወ/ት ብርትኳን በሦስት ምዕራፍ ከፍለው ባቀረቡት ፅሁፍ የኢትዮጵያን የፖለቲካ ዳራ፣ ከኢሕአዴግ ወደ ሥልጣኑ መድረክ መውጣት ጋር የብዝኀ ፓርቲ ሥርዓት ዕውቅና ማግኘት፣ ወዲያውም የፖለቲካ ፓርቲዎች ወከባና መሣደድ ስለመጀመሩና እራሣቸውን የማጠናከሪያና የማደራጃ እፎይታና የተሣትፎ መድረክ አለማግኘታቸውን አስረድተዋል፡፡

ኢሕአዴግ “ዴሞክራሲያዊ ያልሆነ” ባሉት ግን ባልተናገሩት ምክንያት የ1997ቱን ምርጫ ፍትሐዊና ነፃ ለማድረግ መወሰኑንና ተቃዋሚዎች አጋጣሚውን ተጠቅመው ሕዝቡን ማነቃነቃቸውንና መሠረት ማግኘታቸውን፣ ችግር በበዛበት ሁኔታ እንኳ 172 ዕውቅና የተሰጠው መቀመጫ መቀዳጀታቸውን፣ ከዚያ ትምህርት የወሰደው ኢሕአዴግ ከ1997 ምርጫ በኋላ አምባገነንነቱ ይበልጥ መክፋቱን ተናግረዋል፡፡

ለቀሪው ዝርዝር ዘገባውን ያዳምጡ፡፡

Article source: http://www.voanews.com/amharic/news/ned-demorcracy-birtukan-140066323.html

Allana Potash Corp. (TSX:AAA)(OTCQX:ALLRF) said Wednesday that the Republic of Djibtouti’s government in Ethiopia has started the pre-qualification process to select contractors for the construction of the new port at Tadjoura, Djibouti.

With financing from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the Saudi Fund for Development, the Djibouti government-owned Port Authority will build and operate marine civil facilities and common services – to be constructed with an initial 30-hectare yeard and a 435 metre quay, the company said.

Allana said it will continue to work with the Djibouti authorities to integrate the required potash storage and handling facilities into the new port plans.

With a recently-completed, positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) under its belt for its Dallol potash project in Ethiopia, Allana Potash is expecting a host of developments in 2012, including a feasibility study later this year.

Based on the PEA plan, transportation of the product to Djibouti would be completed through a company-owned fleet of trucks, with port costs based on Allana constructing its own port terminal in Djibouti, including product unloading and storage, shipping facilities and supporting infrastructure.

With regards to infrastructure developments for the project, Allana said again today that highway construction by Ethiopian government contractors was “actively proceeding” to connect the project area with paved roads both to the company’s project development staging facilities in Mekele, and to the southern highway access to ports in Djibouti.

The company also said that discussions were progressing with government departments and private sector operators regarding regarding rail facilities linking road and port infrastructure. Allana continues to expect that the infrastructure required for the company’s Dallol potash project to reach full operation will be in place at the same time as, or in advance of its projected construction period, it said.

The company is planning to start production at Dallol with one million tonnes at the initial stage by 2015, to reach peak production by year 2017. Start of construction at the project is anticipated as early as late 2012, with minimal output expected by the end of 2014.

President and CEO of Allana, Farhad Abasov, said in a statement Wednesday: “Allana is encouraged by the admirable progress made by the Djibouti Government in the ongoing development of the country’s transportation infrastructure.

“Allana understands that both the Djibouti and Ethiopian Governments are looking to the strategic Danakhil potash resource as one of the catalysts for the development of road, port and rail facilities critical to the continued economic growth within the region and we are pleased to have the opportunity to participate in supporting these developments.”

Last November, the company announced the results of the PEA for its Dallol potash project for production of one million tonnes, with the potential to expand output at the site to two million tonnes of muriate of potash (MOP) product per year at a later stage.

The economic study, conducted by Ercosplan and based on solution mining with a solar evaporation method, yielded, on an after-tax basis, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 36.8 percent and a net present value (NPV) of US$1.85 billion, based on a 12 percent discount rate.

The results exceeded management’s expectations, said Abasov, with the project having “one of the lowest capex and opex in the world” in the potash industry, especially when compared to Saskatchewan players in Canada.

Solar evaporation of the saturated brine solution is possible at the Dallol project due to the year-round hot temperatures and very little rainfall, in contrast to Saskatchewan. Salts harvested from the ponds at Dallol will be processed by standard flotation to create an MOP product.

The Ethiopia project also hosts shallower deposits, which means the company is not required to drill that deep, allowing for cost savings, Abasov told Proactiveinvestors in December.

The ongoing feasibility study, which will consider additional MOP and sulphate of potash (SOP) output, is due out in the third quarter of 2012.

Meanwhile, pilot evaporation pond testwork, hydrogeological studies and solution mining testwork are underway as the company’s feasibility study advances. Heavy machinery to construct the ponds is on site, and engineering work and earthworks are in progress, Allana added.

An update to the NI 43-101 compliant technical report is also expected by the end of the first quarter of 2012, with Abasov expecting substantial additions to resources on the eastern side, and an upgrade to the measured and indicated category on the western side.

Exploration drilling has now shifted to the far eastern part of the property as part of the program designed to add mineral resources.

Allana Potash already has financial support from two strategic investors, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Liberty Metals and Mining, and recently announced the closing of a $20 million private placement financing.

Total measured and indicated resources now stand at 673 million tonnes, with an average grade of 18.65% KCI, with total inferred mineral resources of 596 million tonnes at a grade of 19.96% KCI.

Article source: http://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/25285/allana-potash-says-djibouti-government-starts-new-port-project-in-ethiopia-25285.html

Hibir selected the land for its suitability for irrigation, temperate weather for sugarcane growth, its proximity to the Tana Beles hydro electric power plant and the route to Port Djibouti.

The Ministry of Agriculture allocated the land to Hibir after a close study of its suitability and financial ability to meet 30% equity to fund the project from its own resources said Bizualem Bekele Land Administration team coordinator with MoA.

The project is expected to be completed in three and a half years including the construction of the factory and irrigation system according to Minalachew Simachew, Promotion and Marketing Manager of Hiber.

The factory will have the capacity of processing 4,400 tons of sugar cane daily to begin with the potential of reaching 6,600 tons after it is fully completed.

Hibir expects to finance the project with a 70% equity loan from the Development Bank of Ethiopia. The processes to acquire an investment permit took longer than expected affecting the company’s ability to raise funds by selling shares.

Hibir was founded in 2009 with 600,000 birr as working capital and 30 founders, currently the company has 90 million birr in capital and 5,500 shareholders.

Hiber Sugar will launch productions with white sugar but expects to diversify to ethanol production and electric power generation in the future.  

Source: Capital

Article source: http://www.2merkato.com/20120222928/hibir-sugar-acquires-land-in-ethiopia

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The rivalry between Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes will be renewed in Stockholm, Sweden during the 23rd XL-Galan indoor championships today evening.

The men’s 1,500m and 3,000m have as always attracted strong fields, of course dominated by runners from Kenya and Ethiopia. In the 1,500m there is a handful that already has run 3:34/3:35 this winter plus experienced runners like Amine Laalou and Mehdi Baala including exciting Qatari talent (born 1994) Hamza Driouch.

In the 3,000m current list leader (7:29.94) Augustine Choge will be up against countrymen Thomas Longosiwa who ran 12:58.67 at a 5, 000m race recently, Isiah Koech and Caleb Ndiku as well as Ethiopians Dejen Gebremeskel and Abera Kuma.

Ndiku will be hoping to bounce back after failing to finish the 12km Senior Men race at last weekend’s National Cross Country Championships at the Uhuru Gardens.

Meanwhile, UK Athletics has named defending World champions Jessica Ennis and Dwain Chambers in a 39-strong squad as part of the Great Britain Northern Ireland team for the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey from March 9 – 11. In-form Mo Farah and Holly Bleasdale will also board the plane to Istanbul as the 2012 indoor season reaches its climax.

The team head to the showpiece occasion in sparkling form, with 19 personal bests and three British records being broken this year, as well as three world leading performances.

Performances of note include Ennis who produced personal bests at the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix in the 60m Hurdles and Long Jump, as well as Bleasdale’s British record 4.87m in the Pole Vault set in France last month.

Recently crowned national indoor 60m Hurdles champion Andy Pozzi is one of five new caps representing the Aviva GB NI senior team for the first time.

New UK indoor Long Jump record holder Shara Proctor, Christine Ohuruogu, Tiffany Porter and Yamile Aldama are some of the other key names selected for the 15th indoor World Championships.

Andy Robertson, Andrew Sutcliffe and JJ Jegede have been selected on the condition that they attain the UKA qualification standard by February 27.

UKA Head Coach Charles van Commenee said: “This is a strong team and one that can realistically challenge for medals and make finals. There are some good athletes coming through and I’m looking forward to seeing good performance.”　

“There have been some good performances during the indoor season which bodes well for Istanbul and beyond. The indoor season gives useful information about how athletes are progressing. It is important to remember the focus still remains on London 2012.”

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Article source: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/InsidePage.php?id=2000052656&cid=39

The new bill informally known as the ‘Pro-shareholders Bill’ will change the current system whereby only the National Bank of Ethiopia, the Development Bank of Ethiopia and municipality administrations where the only entities issuing bonds.

The new draft bill will also aim to regulate the function and accountability structure of Share companies.

According to the bill share companies can issue bonds when their subscribed capital is fully paid up and have financial statements approved by external auditors for two years in a row. Companies that fail to meet either qualification will not be able to issue bonds.

Share companies will be allowed to issue bonds of equal value as their paid up capitals, while companies with immovable assets serving as collateral against loans will not be able to issue bonds more than two-thirds of the value of the immovable assets put up as collateral.

Share companies will be required to acquire government guarantees to issue bonds beyond the value of their paid up capital, with the security documents put in banks alongside the yearly payment of the bonds to be put in blocked accounts according to the draft bill.

Bonds cannot be used as security instruments to secure loans and companies cannot re-issue bonds to the public establishes the bill.

The bill will require share companies to have a minimum 50,000 birr establishment capital and a minimum of shareholders able to pay 10 birr par value of a share. The bill also institutes various fines and deterrents for misleading promotion and criminal liability.

Source: Addis Fortune

Article source: http://www.2merkato.com/20120222927/ethiopia-drafting-bill-to-allow-corporations-to-issue-bonds

“We have taken control of Baidoa without a single shot, it is a great day for the people who are now welcoming us warmly,” said Muhidin Ali, a Somali government military commander in Baidoa.

Baidoa, 250 kilometres (155 miles) northeast of the capital Mogadishu, is one of the main bases of the hardline Shebab, and its capture deals a major blow to the insurgents, who control large parts of southern and central Somalia.

“The takeover does not mean that the enemy will enjoy the city, there will be more bloodshed,” said Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim, a Shebab commander.

“The areas they took will only be the graveyards of the Christian invading forces and their apostate Somali militia.”

Sporadic shooting was reported on the outskirts of the town, but residents said the city was largely calm.

“We are at the centre now and moving towards every corners of the town, to ensure that we are in full control,” Ali added. “The enemy fled the city before our army has reached the town empty.”

Ethiopian troops, who moved into southern and western Somalia in November, began a major push Tuesday towards Baidoa, which hosted the transitional parliament before Islamist rebels seized the town in 2009.

“There was no fighting, the Somali troops and the Ethiopian forces entered the town, setting up their base at the police station and the main crossroads in town,” said Abdulahi Hassan, a resident.

“People are out in the streets watching the soldiers who are gradually moving into the different parts of the city.”

The rebels are already struggling financially and face increasing pressure from regional armies and pro-government forces. The rebels still control the southern port town of Kismayo, a major source of income.

Witnesses had said earlier that Shebab fighters and their families were seen fleeing Baidoa towards rebel-held Afgoye.

“Many people, most of them Al-Shebab families and supporters, are fleeing Baidoa,” said Hussein Ali, a resident. “They are heading towards the Afgoye.”

Article source: http://www.france24.com/en/20120222-ethiopia-somali-troops-capture-rebel-stronghold

“Baidoa will be a cemetery for the Ethiopians.”

Earlier on Wednesday, a Baidoa resident who gave his name as Farah told
Reuters no al Shabaab fighters were visible in the streets.

“Al Shabaab have run away to the Idaale jungle. Other residents tell me
Ethiopian troops have reached the corners of the city,” Farah told
Reuters by telephone.

Ethiopia’s forces launched a push south towards Baidoa through the
neighbouring Bay and Bakool regions on Tuesday, making swift progress with
the insurgents offering minimal resistance, said officials.

Baidoa is considered the most important rebel base after the southern port
city of Kismayu.

Baidoa was the base of the interim government from early 2006, when another
Islamist administration was battling warlords for control of Mogadishu,
until the turn of 2008/2009 when al Shabaab seized the city and expelled the
transitional government.

Ethiopia moved troops across the border into Somalia in November to open up a
third front against the militants already suffering financial constraints
after pulling most of their fighters out of Mogadishu and internal
divisions.

On Wednesday morning, witnesses said al Shabaab had also surrendered the town
of Berdale for Baidoa.

Berdale resident Ali Mohamed Abukar said a “huge number” of heavily
armed footsoldiers and columns of armoured vehicles and tanks had rolled
into Berdale, a day after wresting control of the town of Yurkud about 50 km
away.

Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/somalia/9098735/Ethiopian-troops-seize-important-town-from-al-Shabaab.html