Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)

Somalia: Islamist Leader Defects to Government

17 May 2009

Mogadishu — Sheik Yusuf Mohamed Siad (Indho Ade) one of the Islamist rebels has defected to the Somali government, sources said on Sunday.

Government ministers close to president Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed told Shabelle Media that the leader with 11 battle wagons left from former Past Factory, his base in north Mogadishu overnight and entered to the presidential palace.

The Islamist rebel leader is expected to meet with some government ministers in the presidential palace.

There is no word from the rebel leader and the government has not talked about the issue officially yet.

Yusuf Mohamed Siad had previously told Shabelle radio that he handed over his weapons to his brother referring to the Islamist, opposition leader Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys.

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