Ahlusunna senior figure rejects deal with interim govt

24 Feb 24, 2010 - 10:55:27 AM

A former leader of Somalia’s pro-government militia Ahul Sunnah Wal Jamaa says his group is not negotiating for positions in the fragile UN-backed Somali transition government
Sheikh Omar Sheikh Mohammed Farah told reporters in Mogadishu that the recent agreement his group entered with the TFG was meant to forge better understanding and strengthen military cooperation in the fight against the militant groups.
“When we started the war against Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, our aim was not to go after government positions. We will still be fighting these groups until we oust them from our country,” he said, adding that his group has requested the government in Mogadishu to offer its help in the fight.
Sheikh Farah is leading a team that is currently in Mogadishu to hold talks with top Somali government officials including President and Prime Minister.
“We will unite all Ahlu Sunnah members so that we implement a new plan to rout out Al-Qaeda backed Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam from the country,” he stated.
Ahlu Sunnah reached agreement with the TFG in recently concluded talks in the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa, where the representatives from the two sides agreed to include the group in the bloated government.
In term, ASWJ pledged to help the government in the fight against the Islamist militant groups, which vowed to oust the TFG from power.