[JURIST] The Somali transitional government [official website] on Tuesday began imposing martial law over areas under the government's control, two weeks after martial law was approved by parliament [JURIST report]. Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi made the announcement late Tuesday after a meeting of African leaders decided against sending an additional 4,000 peacekeeping troops to Somalia. Neighboring Ethiopia has withdrawn its troop support, which some observers believe could encourage Islamic militias seeking to establish Islamic law [JURIST report] and replace the transitional government.
Somalia has endured a lengthy civil war and several rounds of failed peace talks [BBC timeline] since the collapse of its last civil government in 1991. AP has more.