In May 1998, factional fighting was reported in Mogadishu between militia supporters of Hussein Mohamed Aideed and Osman Hassan Ali Atto, after the two factions had "agreed to make peace" (Africa News 12 May 1998). At the beginning of July 1998, three faction leaders: Ali Mahdi Mohamed, Hassan Osman Ali "Atto" and Hussein Aidid reportedly visited Libya with a view to resuming talks "on establishing a joint administration and reopening closed airports and sea ports" (Telegraph Herald 6 July 1998). At the beginning of August, 12 people were reportedly killed during clan rivalries in northern Mogadishu (DPA 1 Aug. 1998).

In the first week of August, warlords Ali Mahdi Mohamed, Hussein Mohamed Aidid and Mohamed Qanyare Afrah reportedly signed a "Mogadishu accord" establishing a joint administration in Mogadishu (AFP 9 Aug. 1998), which anticipated to have a police force of 6,000 officers (AFP 14 Sept. 1998).

The formation of a new administration and joint police force was opposed by warlords Hussein Haji Bod, Musa Sudi Yalahow and Osman Hassan Ali "Atto" (ibid.; 3 Sept. 1998), who warned that they would use violence to sabotage the new administration (AFP 9 Aug. 1998).

The warlords opposed to the joint administration reportedly attacked north Mogadishu (AFP 9 Aug. 1998), while unidentified gunmen kidnapped an Italian nun at a Mogadishu hospital, but released her two days later (AFP 10 Sept. 1998; ibid. 12 Sept. 1998).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 14 September 1998. "Egypt to Supply Logistic Support to New Mogadishu Police Force." [Internet] http://w3scr.afp.com/go/english/co> [Accessed 15 Sept. 1998].

_____. 12 September 1998. "Kidnapped Italian Nun Released." [Internet]. http://w3scr.afp.com/go/english/co [Accessed 15 Sept. 1998]

_____. 10 September 1998. "Gunmen Kidnap Italian Nun at Mogadishu Hospital." [Internet] http://w3scr.afp.com/go/english/co [Accessed 15 Sept. 1998]

_____. 3 September 1998. "Thousands Show Support for New Governor in Somali Capital." [Internet] http://w3scr.afp.com/go/english/co [Accessed 15 Sept. 1998]

_____. 9 August 1998. "Rival Clan Militia Exchange Fire in Mogadishu." (NEXIS)

_____. 1 August 1998. "12 Killed in New Mogadishu Violence." (NEXIS)

All Africa Press Service (AAPS). 12 May 1997. "Somalia: Fighting Mars Peace Efforts In Somalia." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA). 1 August 1998. "12 Killed in New Mogadishu Violence." (NEXIS)

Telegraph Herald. 6 July 1998. "Somali Faction Leaders Look to Resolve Differences." (NEXIS)

Africa Confidential [London]. May - August 1998. Vol. 39. Nos. 9-16.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. January - June 1998. Nos. 1-6.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [ION]. April - September 1998. Nos. 806-823.