Background

As every entity -Somalis and foreign diplomats and scholars- that follows the Somali situation knows, Ahlusunna Waljama (AWSJ) was an integral part of Somalia’s stability and political process. We defeated the terrorist elements of Al-shabaab and the likes from central regions and six out of the seven districts of Gedo region in southern Somalia long before the Somali government liberated Mogadishu. In addition, it is also well known that Ahlusunna assisted the transitional government in clearing Al-shabaab from Mogadishu by contributing both fighting forces and proficient officers like Dagobadan. We suffered thousands killed and wounded.

We also contributed the political process by playing as one of the six partners of road map process which ended the transitional system of government and established the current federal government.

The current crises

Unfortunately, from inauguration the current federal government of Somalia started a policy of sidelining Ahlusunna. 

• The government totally deviated from the Addis Ababa agreement which was the bases of Ahlusunna and the government cooperation. 
• Furthermore, the government completely ignoring Ahlusunna to participate the current political process intending to create regional state for central regions of Somalia.  
• In addition; government appointed local administrators and military officers to central region without the consent of Ahlusunna Waljama and in preach of Addis-Ababa agreement. Such officers as Erfo, who was member of Islamic courts officers who fought against Ahlusunna in central regions.   

Relentless efforts from our side to convince the government to stop these malpractice and respect the Addis agreement and Ahlusunna’s  rights to participate the political process in the central regions failed. Whenever we raise our concern to the government, the government responds by sending more troops and speed up the central regions political process until the government forces attacked Ahlusunna forces in Guriel. 

We ordered our forces to pullout the town to give the peace a chance. Through the media and through indirect channels, we appealed to the government to pull back its forces and solve the issue by peaceful means. In response, the government airlifted arms and troops from Mogadishu and threatens Ahlusunna through the media. This is the cause of current fighting in the central regions between the government and Ahlusunna. 

We want inform the Somali people and the international community that we want peace and cessation of hostilities and start sincere and constructive dialogue. 

To achieve that, we propose:

• That both sides cease the fire unconditionally.
• That the forces from the both go back to their bases  before the hostility. 
• That the political process in the central regions delayed until the government and Ahlusunna agree the modalities in which Ahlusunna can participate the process.
• That both sides come together in meeting to solve the issue through dialogue. 
• If the both sides fail to agree to seek third party mediation. 

Ahlusunna shed its blood to create this government and therefore, we did not want to harm, instead we want to contribute. 

All what we are asking the government is to respect the Addis Ababa agreement and allows Ahlusunna to participate the political process of its constituency which is a right to every Somali citizen as stipulated in the federal constitution of Somalia.

Ahlusunna Waljama