Somali Islamic Courts Leader Returns After Nearly 2 Years in Exile

The Chairman of the Somali Islamic courts Union and the Djibouti-based Alliance for the Deliberation of Somalia (ARS), Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, on Saturday returned home after nearly 2 years of living in exile in Djibouti.

Hundreds of cheering and chanting supporters and heavily armed Islamic militias were waiting for the Sheik at an airport outside Jowhar, the provincial capital of Middle Shabelle region which is about 90km north of the capital Mogadishu.

Speaking to supporters and traditional leaders in a meeting upon arrival, Islamic courts leader Sheik Sharif said his arrival is meant to encourage Somali people to support the on-going peace process and unite against what he called the enemy.

Islamic courts Middle Shabelle governor Moalim Dahir Addow told APA that the Islamist leader was happily welcomed in Jowhar and the security was tightened in an unprecedented manner.

“The Sheik will have meetings with Islamic leaders here and in other parts. Tomorrow (Sunday) he will travel to central Somali regions to meet Islamists there,” Moalim Dahir added on Saturday.

The Secretary for information of the Islamist-dominated ARS Ahmed Abdullahi told APA that the Islamist leader will remain in central Somalia for the next few days.

Sheik Sharif was leading the once powerful Islamic courts union which ruled south-central Somalia for six months in 2006 before being defeated by the allied Somali government and Ethiopian forces two years ago.

Sharif signed a peace agreement with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia on 26 October. The TFG will form a new cabinet that will include ARS members.

Source African Press Agency

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