Moderate Islamist faction signs treaty with Somali government20100316

Moderate Somali Islamist group known as Ahlu Sunnah Wal-Jamma has on Monday signed strong treaty with the Somali transitional Federal Government led by President Sheikh Shariff Sheikh Ahmed in the Ethiopian capital city Addis Ababa.

The two sides signed a peace accord based on the Djibouti peace agreement among Somali

warring groups signed two years ago.
The accord covers power-sharing in the transitional government and military cooperation between the two sides.

The deal was signed between two parties in the presence of Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamea religious leader Sheikh Mahmoud Sheik Hassan and Somali transitional government prime minister Omar Abdrahshid Sharmarke and witnessed by African Union, IGAD, League of Arab states, UN and Ethiopia.

‘‘Now we are realising it’s the age of compromise to bring lasting peace in Somalia,’’ Mr Sharmarke said. President Sharif Ahmed did not attend.

Religious leader Sheikh Mahmoud Sheik Hassan on his part urged the international community to support the Somali transitional government.

He also hinted that his troops will support the Somali transitional government to fight the rival Islamist factions in Somali who are fighting against the government of President Shariff.

The agreement between the two parties comes at a time when Al Shabab is launching a major offensive against the Somali government.

More than 100 western and Africa diplomats were also at the signing ceremony in Addis Ababa African Union headquarters.

The deal was brokered by the eastern Africa regional federation IGAD and the African Union peace and Security Council.

An armed religious group, Ahlu Sunnah Wal-Jamma has been fighting with other Somali Islamist groups including Al-Shabab and Hizbu Islam since last year.

Ethiopia played a vital position in the arbitration endeavours on behalf of IGAD and the two parties met secretly in Addis Ababa last month.

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