SOMALIA: MOGADISHU: HUSSEIN MOHAMED AIDID SPEAKS TO SUPPORTERS

(6 Aug 1996) Somali/Natsound

Enemies of the slain Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid have said their forces are on alert after the general's son took over as faction leader in the troubled African country.

The appointment of Hussein Mohamed Aidid has dampened hopes that the general's death would lead to reconciliation in Somalia.

Aidid now controls his father's power faction and a large chunk of Somalia but has said he will welcome outside help as long as his country's culture and religion are respected.

Followers of the late general Mohamed Farah Aidid appeared overjoyed by the appointment of his son.

Some 30-thousand people gathered in Mogadishu's bombed-out soccer stadium Monday to hear Hussein Mohamed Aidid speak.

It was one of the largest gatherings in the capital since Somalia descended into chaos in 1991.

The 31-year-old - a former US Marine reservist who served in Somalia - succeeded his father last Thursday after the general died from wounds sustained in a battle on July 25.
He will serve two years as president of the United Somali Congress-Somali National Alliance, whose members are primarily from the Hawiye clan, one of six in Somalia.

The younger Aidid was nominated by his sub-clan, the Habr-Gedir, and approved by the general's leadership council.

The faction's radio station said he also was named interim president of Somalia - the elder Aidid was named president by his supporters last year.

On Monday, the new faction leader told the thousands of supporters that he would not change the political structure created by his father.

He also promised to improve security in order to attract foreign investors to Somalia and said he would welcome "any country or agents" willing to support the Somali people.

Aidid stressed, however, that he would only accept outside help if his country's religion and culture were respected.

But he began his speech by remembering his father.

SOUNDBITE: (Somali)
"Brothers, you have been asked to gather here. We are here to talk about what the colonialists/enslavers are doing. We are also mourning the death of the leader you loved. But today we have gathered you here."
SUPER CAPTION: Hussein Mohamed Aidid

SOUNDBITE:
"Lastly we congratulate the organising committee. I am congratulating the commitee of social affairs, a number of social organisations, the national artists (drummers) the workers of the ministry of information, all the security forces and all those who have given a hand for this gathering. Long live Somalia, down with the enemy of Somalia."
SUPER CAPTION: Hussein Mohamed Aidid

Prior to announcing Aidid's appointment, his father's faction formally rejected a proposal from rival leaders for negotiations between Somalia's 16 warring factions.

And the appointment of Hussein Mohamed Aidid has now dampened hopes that his father's death would lead to reconciliation in Somalia.

The leader of a rival faction has already warned the appointment had caused him to reconsider a unilateral ceasefire he declared Friday.

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