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Baidoa
Baidoa Location in Somalia
Coordinates: 3°07′N 43°39′E / 3.117°N 43.65°E / 3.117; 43.65
Country	Somalia
Somalia	Bay Region
District
Time zone	+3

Baidoa (Somali: Baydhabo) is a city in south-central Somalia, situated 256 kilometers (159 mi) by road northwest of the capital Mogadishu. It is the capital of the Bay region, which is traditionally inhabited by the Digil and Mirifle (Rahanweyn) clans.

Baidoa is the third largest city in Somalia, and the fourth most important after Kismayo. For a brief period during the mid-2000s, it also served as the nation's provisional capital. Its population is estimated at over 800,000.

History[link]

Various factions of the Rahanweyn Resistance Army (RRA) struggle for control of the city. On 30 May 2005 forces loyal to Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigudud, former RRA chairman, and Sheikh Adan Madobe, former first secretary, attacked the town, which is controlled by the forces of Muhammad Ibrahim Habsade. This had followed months of building tensions as the various militia factions built up their arsenals. In the immediate aftermath of the fighting, both the Shatigudud/Madobe and Habsade militias were seen to be preparing for further clashes.

Baidoa Seat of the TFG Parliament[link]

The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was able to convene a parliamentary sittings of 275 members in Baidoa in February, 2006, inside a grain warehouse that had been temporarily converted. Despite the symbolic importance of the occasion, there have been no additional moves to establish government ministries or agencies in the city beyond maintaining a militia presence.

Following the collapse of the Somali Central Government, subsequent temporary governments sought refuge between Jowhar and Baidoa. The country's regular capital, Mogadishu, was too dangerous for any government services.

On July 20, 2006 it was reported by the BBC [1] that a column of 100 Ethiopian military vehicles including armoured personnel carriers had crossed from the border town of Dolo Odo into Somalia. This follows reports of ICU forces advancing to within 60 km of Baidoa. Further reports stated that Ethiopian troops had been seen in uniform on the streets of the town. However, the Ethiopian government denied that its forces had entered Somalia.

On September 26, according to Stratfor [2], "Uganda flew a planeload of troops [...] to Baidoa, the seat of Somalia's interim government, aiming to keep Somalia's Islamists from becoming a force to support Islamist insurgents throughout the region."

On November 24, the Associated Press [3] reported that hundreds of Ethiopian troops had arrived in Baidoa to protect Somalia's government against the Conservative Council of Islamic Courts (a new name adopted by the ICU in June [4]). The troops proceeded on to Baidoa in a convoy of more than 130 trucks.

On December 24, Baidoa was reported to be one of several targets of Ethiopian airstrikes. [5] On January 30, 2009, Al-Shabaab captured the city, leading to the expulsion of the TFG.

On February 22, 2012 Ethiopia and the TFG recaptured the town.

Subdivisions[link]

Baidoa city consists of four districts:

• Isha
• Horseed
• Berdaale
• Howlwadaag.

See also[link]

• Battle of Baidoa

External links[link]

• Somalia warlords clash in Baidoa, BBC, 30 May 2005
• Uneasy calm after five killed in Baidoa, IRIN, 30 May 2005
• 1,500 Ethiopian troops enter border region (Garow Online)

Coordinates: 3°07′N 43°39′E / 3.117°N 43.65°E / 3.117; 43.65

Fraser McKenzie (born 1988) is a Scottish professional rugby union player, who plays for Sale Sharks. He plays either at lock or blindside flanker and is a former Scotland under 20 captain. He started his career at Dunfermline Rugby Club and later joined Edinburgh. From the 2011/2012 season onwards he plays for Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership.

References[link]

1. ^ "Aviva Premiership Rugby - Sale Sharks - Fraser McKenzie profile". web page. Premier Rugby. http://www.premiershiprugby.com/squads.php?player=19921&includeref=dynamic. Retrieved 1 January 2012. 

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Rupert Vance "Mick" Moon
Rupert Moon
Born	14 August 1892
Died	28 February 1986(1986-02-28) (aged 93)
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Army
Rank	Captain
Unit	58th Battalion
Battles/wars	First World War
Awards	Victoria Cross

Rupert Vance "Mick" Moon VC (14 August 1892 – 28 February 1986) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details[link]

He was 24 years old, and a lieutenant in the 58th Battalion (Victoria), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 12 May 1917 near Bullecourt, France, Lieutenant Moon's immediate objective was a position in advance of a hostile trench, and then against the trench itself, after the capture of which it was intended that his men should co-operate in a further assault. Although wounded in the initial advance, he reached the first objective, but was again wounded in the assault on the trench. He nevertheless continued to inspire and encourage his men and captured the trench, but was again wounded when consolidating the position. It was not until he was severely wounded for a fourth time that he agreed to retire from the fight.

He later achieved the rank of captain.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial.

Memorial Garden[link]

Memorial Garden with Army Reservists of 5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment

On 12 May 2008, the Rupert Vance Moon V.C. Memorial Garden was unveiled at the Mount Duneed Cemetery, with a large crowd in attendance, including Moon's descendents, representatives from the Returned and Services League of Australia, and past and present soldiers.

The Avenue of Honour[link]

The Avenue of Honour, an elm tree lined avenue linking Bacchus Marsh to the Western Freeway. The avenue was planted in 1918 to commemorate soldiers from Bacchus Marsh who served in World War I In his birth town of Bacchus Marsh Victoria, the 164th tree in the Avenue of Honour was planted and dedicated to commemorate his service in the war.

In recent years, Moon Reserve was unveiled at the beginning of the Avenue of Honour in honour of Rupert Vance Moon. In 2010, the Avenue of Honour was nominated to be placed on the National Heritage list.^[1]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Moon, R.V.
• Service record on the ADF AIF Project database

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