Thousands rally in Somali capital in support of gov't

Thousands of people Thursday rallied in the Somali capital Mogadishu in support of the new Somali government's acceptance to implement the Islamic sharia law in the Horn of African country, calling for the withdrawal of African Union peacekeepers.


People rallying at the national football stadium carried posters and placards and chanted slogans in support of the government which said this week it would impose the Islamic law in Somalia after prominent Islamic clerics demanded it to do so.

The rally which was organized by local grassroots groups was attended by influential religious and community elders who urged the Somali government leaders to reconcile with opposition fighters that are not part of the peace process. The speakers also demanded the withdrawal of the nearly 34,00 African Union peacekeepers and the suspension of further troops deployment in Somalia.

Mohamed Hassan Had, leader of the council of elders of Hawiye clan, the largest in Somalia, said at the rally that the Mogadishuclan elders as well as the religious leaders were behind the Somali government and pledged their full support for it.

"We demand that this country be ruled with the sharia law because we believe it is the only law for Somalia which is an Islamic country," Said Sheikh Mohamed Abu Shayba, a member of the Somalia's Union of Islamic Scholars.

Shayba also said that the AU peacekeepers should go back to their countries as "there is no need for them".

Several other prominent speakers at the rally voiced the same sentiment towards the AU peacekeepers who have been deployed in the Somali capital Mogadishu under former Somali government's request back in 2007, but recent calls for their withdrawal have been mounting after the troops have been accused of excessive use of force in response to insurgent attacks.

The Somali government has repeatedly said that the peacekeepers will only withdraw after reconciliation between Somalis is complete and violence stops.

The peacekeepers are part of an 8,000-strong force authorized by the UN Security Council early 2007 but only Uganda and Burundi contributed their share of the troops.



SOURCE: Xinhua