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By Alan
Boswell
Nairobi, September 5, 2009 – The spiritual leader of the radical Somali
militant group al-Shabaab has sharply criticized the leadership of
Somaliland for having ties with Ethiopia. The radical leader also called
the brand of democracy practiced in the Somaliland un-Islamic and
demanded implementation of Sharia law.
In a thinly-veiled message warning of future attacks, al-Shabaab leader
Ahmed Abdi Godane, also known as Sheik Muktar Abu Zubayr, warns
residents of Somaliland not to do business with Ethiopians and to stay
away from Ethiopian-owned property.
In the taped message, the al-Shabaab leader also ripped the territory's
government, saying that that Somaliland democracy is responsible for the
disunity among its leaders and has stomped on teachings of the Koran.
Somaliland's government has accused al-Shabaab of being behind the
suicide bombings in Somaliland's capital, Hargeysa, last October that
killed nearly 30 people. The attacks targeted an Ethiopian government
office as well as a United Nations building and the presidential palace.
Somaliland had previously been considered a haven of relative peace and
security in the heavily-battered region. Somaliland's reputation as a
rare model of democracy in Somalia has also taken a beating in recent
months as national elections have been repeatedly delayed and the
government has been accused of cracking down on dissent.
The breakdown in the nation's functioning democracy has led to concern
that the territory's populace may lose faith in its institutions, making
it susceptible to overtures from militant Islamists.
Ethiopia is currently mediating discussions between the government and
opposition groups on disputes over the upcoming elections now scheduled
for later this month.
Ethiopia and Somalia have a long and embittered relationship. Ethiopia's
Ogaden region is predominantly composed of ethnic Somalis, and the two
countries went to war over the region in the 1970's. The invasion and
subsequent occupation of Somalia by U.S.-backed Ethiopian troops in 2006
fueled the Islamic insurgency in the Horn of Africa nation.
The al-Shabaab leader accused the Ethiopians of bringing Christianity,
alcohol, and AIDS into Somaliland.
The Western-backed Somali government in Mogadishu, which does not
recognize Somaliland's claims to independence, condemned the tape.
Somaliland has cooperated with the U.S. and the West in anti-piracy
efforts in hopes of eventually achieving international recognition as a
separate state.
Al-Shabaab is listed by the United States as a terrorist group.
Source: VOA, September 4, 2009
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