Wednesday June 21, 2006 (HOL): In a press conference held today in Mogadishu, chairman of the Union of Islamic Courts (UICs) Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed demanded that remnants of the defeated anti-terrorism coalition warlords to hand over their weapons to UICs. Sheik Sherif said that UIC would not allow remnants of the defeated anti-terrorism coalition warlords to create courts without the permission of the UIC and that those who do not obey today’s directive will be prosecuted.
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Chairman of the Union of Islamic Courts (UICs) Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed |
Sheik Sharif added that the UICs will offer rehabilitation and reintegration programs for the militia of the defeated warlords so that they can join the UICs’ security forces who are presently busy in restoring peace and security to the capital city of Mogadishu.
The chairman of the UICs stressed the need to hand over weapons belonging to defeated warlords saying that “with arms in the hands of the remnants of the defeated anti-terrorism coalition warlords, it would be difficult to bring security to the city”. The chairman’s speech and directive come in the wake of recent establishment of a number of Islamic courts by sub-clans of the defeated anti-terrorism coalition warlords. Some observers speculate that today’s directive may lead to renewed fighting between the militia of UICs and some militia loyal to clan leaders.
On the other hand, ten person delegation representing the UICs has flown out of Isiley airport for the capital of Sudan, Khartoum, to participate talks with representatives from the interim federal government. Dr. Mohamed Ali Ibrahim who is leading the delegation told reporters at the airport that the UICs would not compromise on its opposition to the deployment of foreign peacekeeping troops in Somalia.
The mediation talks to b held in Khartoum has been organized by the Sudanese government which currently holds the chairmanship of the Arab League. It is expected that the Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Musa will attend the meeting as part of increased efforts on the part of the Arab League to facilitate solutions to the renewed violence and fighting in Somalia.
Original reporting: Salad Iidow Hasan (Xiis), Hiiraan Online
sxiis@hiiraan.com
Translation by: Mohamed Amin, Hiiraan Online
mamiin@hiiraan.com
Source: Hiiraan Online, June 21, 2006
