MOGADISHU (Sunatimes) - Somalia’s government president Sharif Sheik Ahmed is involving in a greater challenge to disarm some of the leaders in his Hawiye tribe to consolidate his leadership, sources close to the aides in the presidential residence reports.
Military officers in the African peacekeeping mission in Somalia told western diplomats that President Ahmed discussed them about the possibilities of disarmament on militias loyal to Yousuf Siyad Indha’ade, former defense minister, Abdi Qeybdid, a former warlord and member of the government, Mohamed Dhere, former Mogadishu mayor and Abdulahi Sheik Hassan, a well-known politician.
The commanders of the African peacekeeping mission dismissed the president’s suggestion of weakening the clan leaders and sought it as incompatible with their policy introducing peace in the war devastated horn of African nation, Somalia.
The top commander of the Ugandan peacekeepers in Mogadishu was reported to have informed the local leaders about his objection to the military plan proposed by the president.
“We have agreed AMISOM on mutual Military Corporation and together push Al-Shabaab militants out of the country and they report us about what Sharif is willing.” One of the fourth men told Waagacusub.com by telephone.
Earlier, soldiers loyal to President Ahmed attacked military bases of clan militias in Madina district so as to disarm them but faced strong resistance and received casualties. The move was to exercise the power of the president’s loyalists.
By Dahir Alasow.
http://www.sunatimes.com/view.php?id=1347
