MOGADISHU, January 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Contacts between the central Baidoa town and the rest of Somalia resumed on Friday amid new tension and confusion, with all the telephone lines and commercial VHF field radios back in business.
The town, 250 kilometers northwest of the capital Mogadishu, has been cut off from the rest of the country since Monday when the Rahanwein Resistance Army (RRA) imposed a systemic curfew on the town banning all communication lines and traffic movement.
New tension surrounds the entire Bay and Bakol regions as the conflict between the RRA leaders in Baidoa town and the supporters of the new interim government culminates with the departure of Parliament Speaker, Abdalle Derow Issak, to Bakol region Thursday night.
Issak, who briefly spoke with journalists Thursday night, said his mission is just part of the new government's plan to build up support for the new administration throughout the country. Dozens of parliamentarians have likewise been sent to their respective regions for the same purpose since the beginning of the week.
Since the RRA forces have blocked all roads leading to Bay region via Mogadishu, the delegation led by Issak and his convoy were forced to take a turn-around road. Latest reports indicated that Issak has made it to Bakol region Friday morning.
According to the VHF radio reports, the delegation has warmly been received in El-Ali village, about 60 kilometers east of Issak 's hometown, which is located in Teiglow district in Bakol region.
On arrival, the delegation explained to the people about their determination to pursue peace in the region and headed deeper into the area Friday afternoon.
In response to the move of the parliament speaker, the RRA leaders in Baidoa town have dispatched hundreds of heavily armed militiamen and several battle wagons to Bakol region Friday morning so as to stop what is now called the new infiltration of the pro-government elements in the region.
Although Issak has said his government does not intend to fight anyone, it is expected that the two sides might go into armed confrontation despite attempts by traditional leaders to prevent such a hazard. Enditem
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