By ABDULKADIR KHALIF, NATION Correspondent
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Two Somali delegations are flocking to Addis Ababa with the likelihood of signing a pact.
Officials of Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamea, a moderate Islamist group and others from the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia are expected to sign an agreement in the Ethiopian capital soon.
Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamea, an armed religious group that mainly operates in Central Somalia, has been a tough opponent of the radical Islamist groups, namely Al-Shabaab and Hizbu Islam since the middle of 2009. So far, Ahlu Sunna has been the only movement that managed to repel repeated offences from Al-Shabaab and Hizbu Islam.
The series of victories of Ahlu Sunna have been the opposite image to the TFG that has been squeezed into a tiny corner of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
Some sources in Mogadishu that has been contacted by Nation anticipated a signing ceremony in Addis Ababa on Saturday. However, reports from the Ethiopian capital, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra said that the accord is going to be signed on Monday.
The AU official justified the delay due to absence of important Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamea delegates.
The TFG and the moderate Islamists had preliminary talks in the Ethiopian capital in February away from the sight of the media.
Source: Daily Nation