Somali rebel chief Aweys calls for truce in south

[Liqaye]

06 Oct 2009 14:38:23 GMT

Source: Reuters

* Two rebel groups fought for Kismayu

 

* Clashes continue around southern port

 

By Ibrahim Mohamed

 

MOGADISHU, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The leader of Somalia's Hizbul Islam rebels, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, called on rival al Shabaab insurgents on Tuesday to agree a ceasefire and end days of sporadic clashes around the southern port of Kismayu.

 

Fighters from al Shabaab, which Washington says is al Qaeda's proxy in the failed Horn of Africa state, drove Hizbul Islam gunmen out of Kismayu last week and the two groups have continued to battle each other in surrounding districts.

 

Aweys told reporters in the capital Mogadishu the fighting between the rebels was only helping their mutual foes -- Somalia's U.N.-backed government and African Union peacekeepers.

 

I am telling al Shabaab to stop fighting us and accept a ceasefire," the elderly cleric told a news conference.

 

"I am asking them to stop the fighting, which is only useful to the enemy. It is immoral. Muslim blood is being shed."

 

Apparently the same did not apply when he was begged by the Somali President! then it was a little laugh and the observation that people must put up with death a little longer. Hope he has the patience to put up with his.

 

Until last week's battle for Kismayu, the country's two main insurgent groups had controlled the strategic port and much of southern and central Somalia in an uneasy alliance.

 

Western donors have long hoped hardliners in al Shabaab could be isolated by a deal between more moderate Hizbul leaders and President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed's government.

 

Ahmed has had little luck luring Aweys to his side, but a worsening rift between the insurgents could give his fragile government some much needed breathing space.

 

Western security experts say Somalia has become a safe haven for militants, including foreign jihadists, who are using it to plot attacks across the region and beyond.

 

Fighting in Somalia has killed nearly 19,000 civilians since the start of 2007 and driven 1.5 million from their homes.

 

Al Shabaab has blamed the fighting in Kismayu on a local Hizbul commander in the area, and on Tuesday Aweys appealed to the commander to stop the bloodshed.

 

"Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, who is leading the fighting, is one of our mujahideen of Hizbul Islam. I am calling for that fighting to stop," Aweys said. "I am asking our brothers (in al Shabaab) for talks. These clashes are spoiling our principles."

[Peacenow]

You are wishing a backaward Sharia on others and you are writing from where? You comfortable warm seat that the gaalo has paid for. No way are you in any muslim state. No way.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

"I am asking them to stop the fighting, which is only useful to the enemy. It is immoral. Muslim blood is being shed."

Dhiiga uu daadinaaye maxee ahaayeen bilooyinkii u dambeeye? Dhiig dad Buddhist ah?

 

Calaacalka iska yaree, yaa dhaho gaashaanlahaan. Aweysoow adigaa dadkaan markii hore dantaada ku rabtee haddana meel u la' geysid. Hakaa saarto.

[Kamaavi]

Baroortu Kismaayo ka weyn ee timir laf baa ku jirta !!

[Jacaylbaro]

Allaylehe timir laf baa ku jirta ...........