Somalia's president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Seeks World's Help, Admits Shortcomings

Published on Wednesday 24th February 2010

Somalia's president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has called on international community to assist his fragile government in restoring peace and stability in the war-torn country.

Ahmed acknowledged that his government has no powers to pacify the country from the powerful insurgents, urging world to urgently help.

"My government has no powers; we need international support to restore law and order in Somalia," he said.

"It is my government's responsibility to make Somalia peaceful but we can't do that all alone, we need some backing," he adds.

He however recognized the 'little help' his government receives from the world, saying that it allowed them to recruit some forces, which require funds for payment.

The weak transitional government controls only a few blocks in Mogadishu, with much parts of Somalia under the hardline Islamist militias.

Somali president says the other problem that his government is faced with is the piracy scourge instigated by Somalia-based pirates that is threatening to cripple the world's maritime activities.

"The other problem is pirates, who receive a lot of money and are benefiting from the lawlessness. We can't do anything about them without the support of the international community," he said.

Since his election more than one year ago, Ahmed, a former Islamist leader faced deadly opposition from the powerful insurgents including his former allies now turned foes, who vowed to unseat him.