Garowe Online (Garowe)
28 February 2009
Somalia's new leader has said that he will rule the country using Islamic law, Radio Garowe reports.
Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the Horn of Africa country's new president, told a Saturday press conference at the presidential palace Villa Somalia in Mogadishu that recent attacks against African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) has brought much suffering to Somali civilians.
"It is not a must that every opposition group use bullets, but they [opposition] must come to the negotiating table," President Sheikh Sharif said.
He stated that the Somali government has "accepted a ceasefire request" from the armed opposition, which was delivered by Mogadishu's clan elders, who served as mediators.
"My government did not bring AMISOM troops [to Mogadishu], but they were requested by the previous government. Everyone knows they did not come here by force, but they are here to help," the Somali leader said.
He indicated that AMISOM commanders assured him they would not shell residential areas in response to insurgent attacks.
"I will rule the country [Somalia] using Islamic law," President Sheikh Sharif said bluntly, while rejecting "misinformation spread by people with private interests."
Nicolas Bwakira, the African Union's special envoy to Somalia, recently told the Voice of America that President Sheikh Sharif's government would be 'secular.' READ: AU Envoy Says Somalia's National Unity Government to be Secular
While speaking about insurgent attacks, the Somali President said: "The man who spills the blood of his Muslim brother will not reach Heaven and a Muslim person's blood [killing] is prohibited."
Sheikh Sharif called on the international community to deliver humanitarian aid to the Somali people, who have been "devastated by war and drought."
He urged the Somali Diaspora and local businesspeople to "take responsibility" to help their fellow countrymen.
It is the first time President Sheikh Sharif, formerly the moderate leader of the Islamic Courts movement, has publicly stated that he intends to rule Somalia under Islamic law.
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