Liibaan Posted February 5, 2009 New Somali leader, Ethiopia agree to peace push ADDIS ABABA (AFP) — Somalia's new President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and his neighbours in the Horn of Africa agreed Monday to work together for peace, in a remarkable political change for the region. A statement issued after a meeting in the Ethiopian capital marked a turnaround in regional affairs, two years after Ethiopia invaded Somalia to drive out Sheikh Sharif. When Ethiopia, a US ally, sent in its troops in late 2006, their main target was Sheikh Sharif's forces, which were then seen as extremists who had gained control of most of the country. After two years of deadly guerilla war, Ethiopia withdrew just one week ago having made little real progress, while new radical groups emerged and made Sheikh Sharif appear like a moderate. He was elected president by a parliamentary vote on Friday, in a move welcomed by the region as well as the United States as a step towards bringing stability to a country without an effective central government since 1991. Sheikh Sharif met with leaders of five other nations in the Horn on the sidelines of the African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital, where the young cleric was welcomed with rousing applause. After meeting with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which groups six nations in the Horn including Ethiopia and Somalia, the leaders released a statement vowing to work together to solve Somalia's security problems. Sheikh Sharif said in the statement that his priorities included "developing peaceful and friendly relations with the neighbouring countries based on international law and AU principles." The six countries agreed to "keep close liaison with the government of Somalia... and continue to render it the necessary political support as the latter continues its endeavour for peace and national reconciliation." They also called on the international community to provide training to Somali forces and humanitarian aid for the people. Although Sheikh Sharif briefly controlled large parts of the country before the Ethiopian invasion, his government now has little power outside the capital Mogadishu. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NASSIR Posted February 5, 2009 Whilst it's remarkable that Sherrif is creating an amicable environment and calming down inter-state hostilities spawned by a long-standing grievances, I hope more of his next plan of action would be directed in building confidence measures among those opposed to his moderate platform derived from the principles of Islamic governance. Pragmatism thereof would sort of aid him wade through the muddy waters in Somalia and make his position solid and known because there's a growing public distrust that he's a closet puppet and many of his old allies voiced their concern and gave credit to the former president. I think it's Sheikh Aweis who said that Yusuf is more trustworthy than him. What you make of that, Dalmar? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liibaan Posted February 5, 2009 I agree with you, Sheikh Shariif should speak to somali people and his former alies, about his journey from Islamic courts and as ally of Sh aweys to somali president backed by United States and Ethiopia? The sheikh is silent and thats not good, just like Obama made an important speech about race relations and Jeremiah Wright Sheikh Shariif should explain as former leader of ICU his action plans, and why he failed in 2009, and how he will succeed this time as a Somali president? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
