- Ethiopian troops have pulled out from the two main bases in Northern Mogadishu today, leaving Somali's in fear as the radical Islamic group continue to wage attacks on Somali Transitional government forces in the country.
Ethiopia announced its withdrawal in November, sparking concerns of a security vacuum in war torn Somalia where an African Union force has been unable to halt the violence perpetrated by insurgents.
Ethiopian Colonel Gabre Yohannes Abate relinquished control of the security at a ceremony on Tuesday.
Ethiopia, which has been supporting its neighbouring Somalia's weak government for two years, recently said it would end its unpopular presence, without giving an exact date because of fears of a power vacuum.
Last week, Ethiopian government said failure of the Somalia Transitional Federal Government to lead its well organised forces has left the country's stubborn rebel group, Al Shabaab to regroup and wage attacks on government.
According to local reports, ill equipped and under-funded AU forces comprise of 3,400 troops from Uganda and Burundi to fill the vacuum left by the Ethiopian troops in Somalia.
Ethiopia which has begun to withdraw from Somalia, backed TFG in 2006 to oust Islamic hardliners who had occupied most of the country. Since then, Al Shabaab has waged a series of attacks to oust the government.
Meanwhile, Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf has resigned as President of TFG after a four year tenure in which he failed to improve peace and stability in the Horn of Africa state.
Analysts have viewed his resignation as a positive step to bring peace in the country and to settle a dispute between him and his Prime Minister.
Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, since when various militias have been battling for control.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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