Meles Zenawi supports Sharif Aden to come back to the Parliament, while ASWJ supports the NEW elected Speaker
Interview from Today
ASWJ Supports Speaker Madobe
ASWJ's Sheikh Omar Sheikh Abdikadir Aden
Somalia Report Interviews ASWJ's Sheikh Omar Sheikh Abdikadir Aden
Somalia Report interviewed Sheikh Omar Sheikh Abdikadir Aden, an official with the pro-government Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa (ASWJ) militia, to discuss the war with the al-Shabaab insurgent group and the debate over the speaker for Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG).
In early December of last year, the Somalia parliament voted Sharif Hassan out of office and replaced him with Madobe Nurow Mohamed in January of this year. Since then, Hassan has been accused of trying to bribe Madobe with cash to resign.
Sheikh Omar currently serves as the governor of ASWJ's parliament and discussed ASWJ's alliance with the Ethiopian forces in their battle against al-Shabaab insurgents.
Sheikh Omar, there is conflict among the TFG parliament and yet the ASWJ did not comment about it. Can you tell me now how you view this conflict?
Well, there is a root cause for every conflict and to me former speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden is the cause of this TFG conflict because the parliament elected him and it is the same parliament who denounced him. Instead of stepping down peacefully, he reacted arrogantly and this is why the conflict grew this far.
How do you see the appointment of Madobe Nurow Mohamed as the newly elected speaker of the TFG parliament?
Actually we do not have any problem with that because we support and respect the decision of the TFG parliament.
Sheikh, as ASWJ do you recognize Madobe Nurow Mohamed as the recent TFG parliament speaker?
Yes, we do recognize him as the newly elected TFG parliament speaker because we respect and support the decisions made by the TFG of Somalia.
The ASWJ is conducting attacks in Galgadud and Hiran regions to battle the insurgent al-Shabaab forces. What have you achieved so far?
Yes, we made those attacks and I believe that it is our turn now because they used to arrange those kind of attacks before. God willing we will have the Khawarijites (al-Shabaab) completely out of those regions and we will teach them an unforgettable lesson.
Is it only ASWJ who are conducting those attacks against al-Shabaab forces or you getting support from Ethiopian troops?
Well, we have said this before that we welcome any party who wants to join us to battle al-Shabaab forces. Ethiopian troops are ready to eradicate al-Shabaab from Somalia and we welcome them.
Sorry Sheikh but you have not answered my question.
Yes, it is very clear that we are getting support from Ethiopian troops.
Thank you. How sure are you that you will clear al-Shabaab forces from the regions they are now controlling, especially the central regions.
Our expectations are very high since now we have the Ethiopian troops on our side and it won’t take us a long time to remove them from those regions.
Are you planning to join with the TFG of Somalia if your mission of eradicating al-Shabab from Somalia is successful?
Honestly I cannot give the answer to this question right now, but hopefully in future things will be smooth, God willing.
Sheikh, we heard that you were having conflicts with ONLF organization from Ethiopia. Can you explain that?
Yes, the ONLF conducted several minor attacks against us mainly because they are anti-Ethiopian and they are against our close association with Ethiopian troops.
Thank you for your time and this interview.
You are welcome.