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Courts without authority

Clan rivalries still outweigh the hope of a national government, as the neighbours look on nervously

Somalia's domestic strife is nowhere near its end. The rival authorities, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Baidoa and the Supreme Islamic Courts Council (SICC) - until 24 June the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) - are divided within themselves, and the courts control less territory than they claim. Neither seems strong enough to win a military victory on its own. Ethiopia has so far resisted the temptation to be drawn into all-out conflict with the SICC. That could change....

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Courts without authority

Clan rivalries still outweigh the hope of a national government, as the neighbours look on nervously

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