policy of paying Somali warlords. The Times stated, "The American activities in Somalia have been approved by top officials in Washington and were reaffirmed during a National Security Council meeting about Somalia in March." On 7 June 2006, the Republic of the Congo's president and current African Union head, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, criticized the United States for its involvement in fighting in Mogadishu following his meeting with President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. See also Somali Civil War Battle of Mogadishu (1993) Fall of Mogadishu (2006) Battle of Mogadishu (March–April 2007) Battle of Mogadishu (November 2007) Battle of Mogadishu (2008) Battle of South Mogadishu (2009) Battle of Mogadishu (2009) Battle of Mogadishu (2010–11) References External links Death toll climbs as Mogadishu fighting intensifies, AFP, 9 May 2006 Despite ceasefire call, fighting continues in Mogadishu, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 May 2006 From Clan Fighting to Ideological Battleground, UN Integrated Regional Information Networks, 11 May 2006 Illegal Arms Continue to Fuel Factional Fighting, UN Integrated Regional Information Networks, 12 May 2006 Bloody street battles in Somalia, CNN, 13 May 2006 Warring Somali ministers warned, BBC News, 13 May 2006 Islamic Courts Accept Ceasefire, Shabelle News Network, 15 May 2006 Somali PM Plans to Fire Two of His Cabinet, Shabelle News Network, 15 May 2006 Security Council Calls for Ceasefire And End to Violence in Capital, UN News Service, 16 May 2006 U.S. Secretly Backing Warlords in Somalia, The Washington Post, 17 May 2006 Renewed Fighting Claims 11 in Mogadishu, UN Integrated Regional Information Networks, 25 May 2006 Islamic Force, Warlords Clash in Somalia, Associated Press, 27 May 2006 Violence Flares in Somalia (VIDEO), ogrish.com, updated 28 May 2006 Large Rally Against United States Staged in Mogadishu, Shabelle Media Network, 2 June 2006 Islamists claim control of Mogadishu, Al Jazeera News, 5 June 2006 Somali Islamists win city battle, BBC News, 11 July, USS Ashland LSD-48 22 MEU A1/8 E2/10 Battle of Mogadishu(1993)S.R.Menzel.(USMC) 2006 in Somalia Mogadishu 2006 21st century in Mogadishu Conflicts in 2006 Mogadishu 2006 May 2006 events in Africa June 2006 events in Africa July 2006 events in Africa