Somali government, militia sign deal in the Ethiopian capital

By Tesfa Alem Tekle

March 16, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) — The government of Somali and a moderate Islamist group signed a power sharing agreement on Monday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The agreement signed with the group known as the Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa is said in return for the group’s military support and firm stand during a long-planned offensive against Al-Shebab Islamist insurgency.

According to the agreement, which came after months of behind-the-scene talks between the two sides, the Ahlu-sunna Wal Jamaa militia group gets five ministries as well as diplomatic posts and senior positions within the police and intelligence services.

Somalia’s Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke said at the signing ceremony that the deal was part of a larger reconciliation plan.

“With this agreement, the government of Somalia and Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa has taken an essential step in the strategy towards restoring peace and stability to our beloved country,” he said. “It is a victory for peace and a cursed defeat for spoilers and extremist groups.”

Ethiopia Foreign Affairs Minister Seyoum Mesfin, also Chair of the IGAD Council of Ministers, lauded the deal as a major achievement in realizing a lasting peace and national reconciliation in the country. He promised a continued IGAD support to maintain peace in Somalia.

African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Dr. Jean Ping on his part said that the latest agreement between the parties is an achievement not only for Somalia but also for Africa. He said the AU will provide the necessary support to TFG of Somalia.

Ethiopia sent troops into Somalia in 2006 to topple the Islamists but withdrew a year ago amid concerns their presence was only fueling the conflict. Both Ethiopia and its archenemy Eritrea have repeatedly been accused of using Somalia to fight a proxy war.

Somalia had not had a functioning central government for 19 years.

(ST)