Somalia: Foreign Fighters in Somalia Are 'International Criminals' - President

25 May 2009

The president of Somalia's interim government, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, told a Monday press conference in the capital Mogadishu that foreign fighters in the Horn of Africa country are 'international criminals,' Radio Garowe reports.

"Somalia has been invaded by foreign fighters, who are using Somali factions and their objective is to keep the country in chaos and to hide international criminals," President Sheikh Sharif told reporters at the Villa Somalia presidential compound.

He called on the Somali public to stand by the government in order "to defend the freedom, honor and nationhood of Somalia," adding: "I do not see any reason to continue fighting except to oppose peace."

The Somali leader said the interim government has adopted Islamic law [Shari'ah] as national legislation and has accepted a reconciliation process promoted by Muslim scholars and traditional elders, "but the opposition has rejected reconciliation."

He condemned the foreign fighters, suggesting that these foreign fighters have fought in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq, "which are still burning."

Conflicting reports have placed the actual number of 'foreign fighters' present in Somalia from a handful to over 300 fighters.

"The [Somali] government has decided to defend the honor of the country and the people...we will fight those who oppose governance and those who promote chaos," President Sheikh Sharif said, in some of his most heated comments since being elected in January.

African peacekeepers

The Somali President said the ongoing violence in Mogadishu and parts of central Somalia is part of a "liberation war" against anti-peace elements.

He specifically addressed a recent decision by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to place sanctions on Eritrea, which is often accused arming Somali insurgents.

"It was the correct decision and the world must support it," said President Sheikh Sharif, who fled to Eritrea in 2007 after Ethiopian troops intervened in south-central Somalia to oust the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) movement, led by Sheikh Sharif at the time.

Speaking about the 4,000-strong African Union peacekeeping force (AMISOM), the President said: "AMISOM is here [in Mogadishu] legally and they will leave when they ensure the safety of the Somali people."

He noted that African peacekeepers are serving in Somalia "to help a fellow African country," while underscoring that AMISOM peacekeepers will defend the Somali government if attacked.

President Sheikh Sharif did not specifically name anti-government insurgent groups, namely Al Shabaab hardliners and Hizbul Islam faction, which is led by his former ally, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys.

Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam factions have waged a violent campaign in Mogadishu and the central regions aiming to overthrow President Sheikh Sharif's interim government, which has support from ICU fighters and Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamee'a militia.

Be the first to Write a Comment!

Muslims "must" unite all over the World
and pray for the appearance of al Mahdi (r.a.) the Saviour of mankind
the descendent of Prophet Muhammed s.a.w.

Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer® 8. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free!

__._,_.___

Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic

Messages

The Holy Qur'an - http://www.quran.org.uk
Commentary of Holy Qur'an http://al-islam.org/tahrif_quran/
Du'a - http://www.duas.org
Islam - http://www.al-islam.org
Free Islamic Books -http://www.winislam.com
http://www.islamic-message.net/English/index.htm