Africa Union Condemns Al-Shabaab Takeover of Somali Parliament Building

The African Union has sharply condemned Monday's reported takeover of the Somali parliament building in Baidoa and surrounding areas by Al-Shabaab Islamic insurgents. The Islamic group described by Washington as a terrorist organization promised to institute Sharia law shortly after taking over the town.
Al-Shabaab took control of most of Baidoa with reportedly little resistance from local militia groups and government troops who controlled the city after the departure of the Ethiopian troops a few hours earlier. The takeover of Baidoa came as Somali parliamentarians, meeting in neighboring Djibouti overwhelmingly agreed to expand parliament from 275 to 550 members. The new parliament is expected to begin meeting today ahead of the possible extension of the deadline for electing a new president.
Mohammed Ali Ahmed, a former education minister, told VOA that residents of Baidoa welcomed the Al-Shabaab takeover. more..http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-01-27-voa2.cfm