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 BAIDOA, Somalia (AP) - In an old grain warehouse spruced up with posters and vinyl flooring, Somalia's president and prime minister watched the swearing in of a regional governor this week, an event that looked like a small step toward government control of this anarchic country.
In reality, though, the U.N.-backed leaders' authority barely extends beyond their makeshift parliament building.
An Islamic militia that has vowed to bring a Quran-based government and justice system to Somalia has begun setting up local administrations across most of the country. The militia even has elements here in the home of the official government: Baidoa has a recruiting station for the fighters, who control the capital, Mogadishu, and much of the south.
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