The only show in town this week has been the unprecedented protests against theKampala Accord, which calls for the premier to resign and a new cabinet to be formed in exchange for the speaker's backing for a postponement to the elections.

Our correspondents were in the thick of thedeadly demonstrationswhich saw at least three killed, lawmakers' cars destroyed and at least onemember of parliamentbeaten.

It's too early to tell if these protests could grow into a groundswell that will topple President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Parliamentary SpeakerSharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, but it is clear that many ordinary Somalis are sick of power-hungry politicians jockeying for position instead of bringing stability to a nation blighted by 20 years of conflict.

The protests and political chaos could come as welcome respite to militant Islamist group al-Shabaab, which has lost ground in recent months in face of a funding crisis. The government, backed byAfrican Unionpeacekeepers,took more new groundlast weekend, so the news that many soldiers are joining the protests and threatening to withdraw from the front lines can only hand the insurgents a boost.

Al-Shabaab is alsodesperately looking for new sources of incometo continue its faltering insurgency, and this week began charging farmers to use river water in areas under its control. It is a move unlikely to boost the group's flagging popularity.

It was a relatively quiet week on the piracy front, although the Chinese-ownedMV Yuan Xiang was releaseddespite ransom money that was allegedly destined for the ship languishing in Somalia's Central Bank following the recent seizure of a foreign security team, who are still being held in Mogadishu.

However, theDanish hostageshave reportedly been moved again as the unpopular gang holding them faced more local protests in Hurdiyo.

As our team of journalists, now numbering over 50, and our readers grow steadily,Somalia Reportwill continue to bring you in-depth news and analysis from the ground, keeping you informed on all significant developments.

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