afrol News, 13 January - 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.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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