Misplaced Pages

#237762

132-475: Gedo joined the growing trend of Islamic Courts Union at the start of the Somali Civil War and local sharia courts succeeded in making Luuq District one of Somalia's safest areas for much of the 1990s. This Somalia location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Islamic Courts Union The Islamic Courts Union ( Somali : Midowga Maxkamadaha Islaamiga )

264-536: A declaration of war and an international endorsement of the invasion. Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Sharif Sheikh Ahmed ( Somali : Shariif Sheekh Axmed , Arabic : شريف شيخ أحمد ; born 25 July 1964) is a Somali politician who was the 7th President of Somalia from 2009 to 2012. From 2004 to 2007, he led the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), subsequently assuming leadership of the Alliance for

396-702: A peace treaty with the Transitional Federal Government on 9 June 2008 in Djibouti called the Djibouti Agreement . The Sharif administration successfully brought the Federal Government of Somalia through transitional status following the collapse of the previous governing administration in 1991. His administration is credited with developing Somalia's constitution and setting up key institutions such as

528-602: A cable to Washington stating that the courts had no interest in being enemies with the United States. The defeat of the warlords propelled the Islamic Courts Union onto the national stage and the pacification of Mogadishu during mid-2006 saw the ICU coalesce into a government in response to the void left by the corrupt and inept TFG . Over the ensuing months, the eleven amalgamated Islamic Courts initiated

660-464: A consensus on procedural arrangements that facilitated a transparent and consultative confirmation of the new Premier. On 6 August 2011, Sharif announced that his military had defeated Islamist rebels battling to overthrow his Western-backed government after Al Shabaab began withdrawing fighters from the capital Mogadishu. The Kampala Accord was an agreement made in Kampala , Uganda in line with

792-567: A cultural and heritage institution and the Federation of Adolescents in Mogadishu which facilitated social interaction for young Somalis who had never before crossed the boundaries formed by the warlords. As a result, the residents of Mogadishu began to cross the lines where friends, schoolmates, and elders can come together and express themselves in a positive way. Sharif became a regional attorney of his home province, middle Shabelle, where he

924-505: A drive to establish stability in Mogadishu and the territories under its control. This period of the Somali Civil War , referred to as a 'Golden era' of Somali politics by top UN officials, saw the ICU undertake significant reformative and security measures. The organization was able to build legitimacy through religious solidarity, answering local security concerns and demonstrating a commitment to rebuilding public order. The ICU’s rule

1056-439: A fierce reaction even among the most moderate of the ICU, and a recruitment mobilization began to raise a force to take back Burhakaba. During early November 2006, Puntland government officials threatened to "either incarcerate, kill or deport" religious leaders who formed an Islamic Court in the city of Galkayo . Several weeks later after intense local pressure, Puntland declared it would move towards adopting Sharia following

1188-538: A journalist with BBC Africa, the Islamic Courts Union was in reality more of a loose federation and only began to unite into a homogeneous body with a clear authority when its existence was threatened by the ARPCT . The TFG , being both in contention with the ICU and backed by the United States, openly opposed the Americans operation to fund the warlords. Despite significant opposition in the government, several members of

1320-575: A massing of ENDF 'heavy armoured vehicles' along all the border towns on the Ethiopian–Somali border . The following day on 17 June, local Somali officials and residents in Gedo region reported about 50 Ethiopian armored vehicles had passed through the border town of Dolow and pushed 50 km inland near the town of Luuq . Although the Ethiopian government denied claims of ENDF forces crossing

1452-484: A meeting between committee of religious heads and leader of the state, Mohamud Muse Hersi . High ranking Somaliland military officers defected to the ICU. Islamic Courts officials reported around 100 fighters from Puntland had defected to join their ranks in mid-November. On 29 November 2006, the courts claimed Ethiopian forces had shelled Bandiradley . The next day ICU forces ambushed an ENDF convoy outside of Baidoa . The most significant event to immediately prelude

SECTION 10

#1732771895238

1584-788: A new 225 member bicameral parliament would be formed, with a lower house and an upper house seating 54 senators; b) 30% of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) is earmarked for women; c) the President is to be appointed via a constitutional election; and d) the Prime Minister is selected by the President and he/she then names his/her Cabinet. Sharif spoke at the London Conference on Somalia on 23 February 2012. Sharif said: "To all of you who have exerted every effort so that you could put an end to

1716-684: A political science scholar from Niger Delta University , notes that Ethiopia's deep involvement in the formation of the TFG led many Somalis to view the government as inauthentic and essentially a puppet regime under Ethiopian influence. This sentiment was further amplified by historical events, such as the 1982 Border War , during which Yusuf led the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF) and collaborated with invading Ethiopian forces. The TFG operated entirely outside of Somalia due to instability in Mogadishu and consequently

1848-530: A potential terror risk. From 2003 onwards, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) initiated covert operations against the Islamic Courts Union, aiming to depose them from power. Prior to 2006, the ICU effectively operated as a loose federation of regional judiciary systems. The courts had developed their own police detachments, prison system, and increasingly carried out joint military operations with each other. Though often compared to

1980-484: A result of confused identity as Ethiopia had merely provided 4,000 uniforms to TFG forces." Two days later, another contingent of Ethiopian troops crossed into Somalia, leading to the collapse of the Khartoum peace talks between the ICU and TFG. Approximately 200 ENDF troops seized Wajid , taking control of the airport. Following the deployment at Wajid, the ICU walked out of talks with the TFG. Abdirahman Janaqow ,

2112-615: A return to the legacy of historic Islamic empires in the Horn of Africa , such as the Sultanate's of Adal and Ifat . After taking control of Mogadishu, the ICU revived 16 previously defunct police stations, deploying nearly 600 personnel and dozens of vehicles to bolster law enforcement. This led to a sharp drop in banditry within days, as thieves avoided areas patrolled by court forces. Community reintegration programs were offered to former militiamen, and formal military and police training

2244-652: A six day conference in November 2020 the Council of Presidential Candidates was formed and Sharif was nominated as chairman. On 15 May 2022, Sharif received 39 of 328 parliamentary votes cast in the first round of voting, placing him in fifth place and not proceeding to the second round. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was the winner. Sharif is beneficiary of the former-Presidents-In-Residence fellowship initiated by Boston University in Massachusetts, USA. The scholarship

2376-488: A staff that apprehended bandits and thieves in the area to bring them to be put on trial. His success in bringing order to his neighborhood in Mogadishu became well known throughout the city and led to the establishment of other copycat Sharia courts. The court did not shy away from strict punishments and even carried out executions. Soon word began rapidly spreading that law and order was being established in Dheeres sector of

2508-400: A substantial clean-up campaign on 20 July 2006 resulted in the first clearing of war debris and rubbish from Mogadishu's streets in over a decade. This successful initiative was further expanded to regions surrounding the capital. In August 2006, the courts issued a directive imposing a ban on the export of rare birds and wildlife from Somalia. Simultaneously, a prohibition on charcoal exports

2640-470: A threat to his own authority. As the years passed, with nothing but warlords offering to replace its authority, the rule of the sharia courts began to cement. By 1999 the Islamic courts had jurisdiction had expanded their influence over a large part of south Mogadishu as well. The courts were not an organized movement or a government, but represented the closest thing Somalia had to either. Their influence

2772-433: A vital transport and trade route to Kenya. Under the courts' administration, transportation costs on the corridor plummeted by 50%. Traders involved in studies on the route hailed the period under ICU control as a 'golden era of overall land trade.' Additionally, the courts focused on enhancing traffic flow in Mogadishu, deploying personnel to regulate traffic and dismantle roadblocks at major roads and junctions. Consequently,

SECTION 20

#1732771895238

2904-759: Is the chairperson of the Council of Presidential Candidates of Somalia. Born on 25 July 1964 in Mahaday , a town in the south of the Middle Shabelle region where he studied Islam , Arabic language and memorized the Qur'an as a child. He began his education at the Sheikh Sufi Institute, which was associated with Al-Azhar University in Egypt . He studied at Libyan and Sudanese universities in

3036-590: The Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) in late 2007, which would merge with the TFG in late 2008. Former chairman of the ICU Sharif Ahmed became president of Somalia in 2009, replacing the TFG with the Federal Government of Somalia . In 2012, the country adopted a new constitution that declared Somalia an Islamic state with Sharia as its primary source of law. Islamic law ( Sharia )

3168-686: The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), anti-ICU warlords united under the banner of the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT). The decision to support these warlords generated dissent within the CIA, the US State Department, and European states. Many officials expressed apprehensions that this backing could lead to a major anti-American backlash in Somalia and greatly empower Islamist factions. As fighting for

3300-776: The General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York on promoting peace, security, reconciliation and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. In May 2010, at the Istanbul Conference on Somalia, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the only chance to bring stability to Somalia was to support the government of Sharif. He specifically voiced his support for Sharif himself, saying that he needed to be in power and to strengthen his leadership. On 25 September 2010, Sharif's speech at

3432-456: The Somali Civil War , a group of sixty highly prominent members of Somali society under the banner of Islamic Call published a public manifesto addressed to President Mohammed Siad Barre . The manifesto warned that he had committed serious transgressions against the laws of Islam and unsuccessfully called on Barre to step down and peacefully transition power. The first appearance of Sharia courts to build local stability began immediately after

3564-705: The Somali Democratic Republic in early 1991, a new phenomenon emerged – the establishment of Sharia courts to impose law and order on the volatile neighborhoods of Mogadishu. These independent courts found their existence threatened by warlords , necessitating cooperation which resulted in their unification by 2000. The Islamic Courts Union (ICU) was a broad-based organization comprising various courts with diverse goals, from national political ambitions to local dispute resolution and propagation of Islam . Due to Islam's central role in Somali society ,

3696-603: The Somali National Alliance and the Rahanweyn Resistance Army , who were fighting in the Bay region at the time, to resolve their conflict peacefully through dialogue. The courts opposed Aidid's attempts to capture Bay and Bakool , asserting that the nations current problems could only be solved through the implementation of Sharia . During 2000, having liberated a significant portion of

3828-624: The Taliban during its rise, the ICU did not adopt similar practices or tendencies such as the strict/rigid enforcement of Sharia or the prohibition of women's employment. According to a report by Ted Dagne, an Africa Research Specialist for the Congressional Research Service , "...the leadership [of the ICU] was often referred to as jihadist, extremist, and at times terrorist by some observers without much evidence to support

3960-843: The Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic to bring and end to the transitional phase of the Transitional Federal Government on 20 August 2011. It was signed on 9 June 2011 by HE Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, President of the Transitional Federal Government, Hon Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden , Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni , President of the Republic of Uganda and Augustine Mahiga , Special Representative of

4092-543: The Transitional Federal Government In Baidoa so that it could move into Mogadishu and reunite Somalia. Several days after the city came under ICU control, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack noted that goal of the union was to "...lay the foundations for some institutions in Somalia that might form the basis for a better and more peaceful, secure Somalia where the rule of law is important." In mid June, ICU leaders sent

Luuq District - Misplaced Pages Continue

4224-696: The Transitional National Government of Somalia (TNG) was established in Djibouti during the spring of 2000, the momentum of the Islamic Courts was slowed as they opted to back the first attempt since the collapse of the state at forming a government. The chairman of the Islamic Courts was elected as a member of the Transitional National Assembly. Openly threatened by warlords, the Courts protected

4356-553: The United Nations was about promoting regional stability, security and reconstruction in Somalia. Sharif appointed former First Secretary of the Somali embassy in Washington, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed , as the new Prime Minister of Somalia in October 2010 after the resignation of Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke . United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement commending the Somali leadership for having reached

4488-406: The insurgency that followed, a youth faction within the military wing of the Islamic Courts, Al-Shabaab , stayed behind and broke away, initially empowering themselves as a popular resistance movement against the occupation. Throughout 2007 and 2008, ICU forces participated in the insurgency against Ethiopian troops occupying Somalia. Several high-ranking members of the Islamic Courts later founded

4620-450: The judiciary made a considerable impact on the security situation as the courts made a point of handing out the capital punishment of stoning to rapists. By 1997 there had been seven cases of execution by stoning in Somalia. It has been noted that suppression of war time sexual violence was a major underlying factor in Somali women's support for the Islamic Courts. The first court did not start in southern Mogadishu until after 1996, as

4752-499: The police , the military and the judiciary . He established the Somali National Army , opened the main sea port of Mogadishu and relaunched the central bank . Under Sharif's leadership, the Transitional Federal Government succeeded in driving out Al Shabaab from the capital city and its surroundings, establishing security, peace and reconciliation through the difficult transitional period. After winning

4884-664: The 2017 presidential election, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed , who Sharif had earlier instated as Prime Minister, succeeded Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as President of Somalia . In the second and final round of parliamentary votes, Sharif received 45 votes to Mohamed's 185. Sharif founded the Himilo Qaran party in December 2018 ahead of the 2020 elections. In 2019 Himilo Qaran joined the Forum for National Parties an alliance of Somali political parties. In October 2019 Himilo Qaran joined

5016-497: The American Central Intelligence Agency and became the first entity to consolidate control over all of Mogadishu since the collapse of the state, propelling the organization onto the international stage. The ICU coalesced into a government after taking control of the capital and began reconstituting the Somali state. This period is widely regarded as Somalia's most stable and productive since

5148-461: The CIA backed warlord alliance were holding senior posts within the TFG while fighting against the ICU was ongoing. By April 2006 much of Mogadishu had fallen under the control of the ICU after clashes with the warlord alliance. The cities air and seaports came under the organizations direct control for the first time. In May they seized the very building where the warlord alliance had been founded and established an Islamic Court in its place. Two of

5280-405: The Courts against the warlord alliance. The ICU enjoyed widespread support from Mogadishu citizens and business community against the warlords, greatly aiding its ability to seize and control large swathes of the city. The broad support of Somali women for the union played a significant role in the organizations ability to maintain combat operations against the warlords. In the view of Mary Harper,

5412-673: The Courts as the UN Security Council unjustly legitimizing an Ethiopian invasion, considering the UNSCR had refused to make any commentary or statement on the troops already deployed inside of Somalia. Herman Cohen , the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs , noted the US decision to back resolution had been influenced by false Ethiopian intelligence. The ICU viewed the passing of UNSCR 1725 as effectively

Luuq District - Misplaced Pages Continue

5544-461: The Ethiopian government. This support was believed to be pivotal in his electoral victory for the TFG leadership in an election held in Kenya . Before becoming president of the TFG during 2004, Abdullahi Yusuf was a member of an Ethiopian-backed coalition of warlords that had undermined the Transitional National Government formed in 2000 that the Islamic Courts had supported. Professor Jude Cocodia,

5676-518: The Ethiopian invasion. American historian William R. Polk observes that the invasion had been unprovoked. With its newfound position of authority, the ICU seized on its popularity and began pushing deep into the regions surrounding the city for the first time. Their offensive capability was greatly aided by new weaponry it had captured from the CIA backed warlord alliance. The Islamic Courts movement found significant support across Somalia. According to Prof. Abdi Ismail Samatar , "...the enthusiasm of

5808-625: The ICU and TFG. The ICU accused the IGAD of being partial to the TFG, while the TFG accused the Arab League of complicity with the ICU. Eventually talks did resume, but in September instead of July 2006. Negotiations quickly broke down over the issues of Ethiopian forces and ICU expansion. According to former Somali diplomat and writer Ismail Ali Ismail , the failure of the second Khartoum talks stemmed from incompetent mediation, as he argues that

5940-432: The ICU sent large contingents of troops to central Somalia to target piracy. In one notable incident, after pirates hijacked a ship and demanded a $ 1,000,000 ransom, ICU forces recaptured the vessel following a gun battle, deploying dozens of fighters via speedboats. The courts also began issuing travel visas , resulting in significant influx of investors and former refugees. Another action that significantly increased

6072-514: The ICU was marching towards its borders. The TFG denied accusations of an Ethiopian military deployment counter claiming that ICU was fabricating a pretext to assault its capital in Baidoa . Soon after Hassan Dahir Aweys stated in an interview with Agence France Presse , "We are ready for partnership with the Americans. We would like to work with them if they respect us and stop interfering with Somali internal affairs," The TFG, overshadowed by

6204-449: The ICU was now the first group to have consolidated control over all of Mogadishu since the collapse of the Somali state. According to Chatham House , "The Courts achieved the unthinkable, uniting Mogadishu for the first time in 16 years, and re-establishing peace and security". The Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism soon collapsed, with the majority of its commanders publicly resigning or expressing support for

6336-533: The ICU was toppled during the final days of 2006 by a full scale Ethiopian invasion of Somalia , supported by the United States. Much of the organizational structure of the ICU disintegrated early on in 2007 due to the invasion as the ENDF/US forces brought the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to power. Following the collapse of courts rule, much of the high ranking leadership sought refuge in Eritrea . In

6468-473: The ICU's popularity was the restoration of proper ownership regarding land and homes that had been lost or stolen during the civil war. It was noted that as the courts were taking over the city many people simply left the homes they occupied before the rightful owners had even taken their cases to the specialized Sharia courts that were setup for property disputes. During this period the ICU also began to expand its authority by validating major transactions such as

6600-413: The ICU. BBC News reported that the ICU had emerged as Somalia's strongest and most popular faction. The Union of Islamic Courts was established to ensure that Somali people suffering for 15 years would gain peace and full justice and freedom from the anarchic rule of warlords who refuted their people to no direction. The leaders of the ICU repeatedly professed that they intended to negotiate with

6732-554: The Islamic Courts Union, and feared that they would make Somalia a haven for Al-Qaeda to plan attacks from, like in Afghanistan . American support for the warlords extended to the point where, on numerous occasions, Nairobi -based CIA officers landed on warlord-controlled airstrips in Mogadishu with large amounts of money for distribution to Somali militias. According to John Prendergast , CIA-operated flights into Somalia had been bringing in $ 100,000 to US$ 150,000 per month for

SECTION 50

#1732771895238

6864-513: The Islamic Courts. The previous year Ahmed had been a school teacher that had become frustrated with the return of insecurity in north Mogadishu and successfully pushed to rejuvenate the Islamic Courts system in the region. Following the failure of the TNG established in 2000, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) led by Abdullahi Yusuf was formed in 2004. Previously aligned closely with Ethiopia, Yusuf's leadership received significant support from

6996-547: The Istanbul Conference on Somalia to promote global reconstruction efforts and to back up on going stabilisation efforts. On 23 June 2012, the Somali Federal Government and regional leaders met again and approved a draft constitution after several days of deliberation. The National Constituent Assembly overwhelmingly passed the new constitution on 1 August, with 96% voting for it, 2% against it, and 2% abstaining. The second UAE counter piracy conference

7128-489: The Kenyan military and the Somali military that began on 16 October 2011, when troops from Kenya crossed the border into the conflict zones of southern Somalia. In November 2011, Sharif met with Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni to discuss security in Somalia and in the eastern Africa region. Sharif was accompanied by a number of ministers and legislators. In February 2012, Sharif and other Somali government officials met in

7260-600: The President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan during his return to the capital in August 2000, and soon handed over their heavy weaponry to the newly formed TNG. During 2001 the TNG gradually absorbed the Islamic courts and their militia, ceasing function by the years end. The expansion of the Islamic Courts resumed in 2004 following the TNG's failure and after Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was elected as chairman of

7392-511: The Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) until late 2008. In January 2009, he ascended to the presidency, overseeing the country's transition from the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) during his three-year term. Post-presidency, he became head of the Himilo Qaran political party and also the founder and head of the Forum for National Parties . He

7524-635: The Secretary General of the United Nations. In September 2011, Sharif visited Burundian peacekeepers serving in his country in a show of support for African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). "I came to pay a visit to the AMISOM peacekeepers and the Somali soldiers," the president told reporters before heading back to Villa Somalia after meetings ended. "The intention was to find out how the soldiers are doing and how ready they are to help

7656-536: The Somali border. Following the battle, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed announced "This is clear aggression...Our forces will face them soon if they do not retreat from Somali territories" and declared Jihad against the ENDF forces. Meles Zenawis government denied that ENDF troops were in Somalia, but local residents in Burhakaba confirmed their presence. The Economist reported that the Ethiopian military incursion had set off

7788-426: The Somali people and the government. As you can see they are really prepared and have high spirits to end the problems affecting the Somali people. The two forces have a good working relationship, and we hope their partnership will result in a victory for our country and removal of the enemy." Operation Linda Nchi ("Protect the country"; Swahili: Linda Nchi) is the codename for a co-ordinated military operation between

7920-446: The Somali state completely collapsed in January 1991. In the weeks following the toppling of the Somali Democratic Republic , militias that had routed the government began hunting down civilians based off their clan identity. Around this time, several well-known Somali scholars such as Sheikh Sharif Sharafow, Sheikh Ibrahim Suley and Sheikh Mohamed Moallin Hassan established Sharia courts to rescue civilians from these attack and to address

8052-478: The Somali warlords and further encourage them to counter the ICU, a decision made by top officials in Washington which was later reaffirmed by the U.S. National security council during meeting about Somalia in March 2006. At the time of the meeting there was fierce fighting in between the warlords and the Islamic Courts around Mogadishu, and the decision was taken to make counter-terrorism the top policy priority for Somalia. A public uprising occurred in support of

SECTION 60

#1732771895238

8184-400: The TFG had previously requested that 20,000 foreign troops, including Ethiopian forces be deployed to Somalia, though the move was opposed by many parliamentarians. While the resolution explicitly dictated no neighbouring states would be permitted to participate, Ethiopia had already breached a prior UN resolution by deploying thousands of troops into Somalia. The resolution was widely viewed by

8316-400: The TFG headquarters and had begun arming warlords defeated by the ICU. The first clash between ICU and ENDF forces occurred on 9 October 2006. ICU positions at the town of Burhakaba were attacked, forcing the courts to retreat. AFP reported that residents in Baidoa had witnessed a large column of Ethiopian forces. The ICU claimed that the ENDF had also sent another large deployment across

8448-433: The achievements of the ICU, was in dire need of the popularity and military capacity of the courts and the ICU in turn was in need of international recognition . UN Secretary-General Koffi Annan urged the ICU and TFG to unite and form a government to attain a lasting peace in Somalia. In late June, the UN formally created a contact group to directly communicate with the Islamic Courts. The Associated Press reported that

8580-409: The allegations. For example, the assessment of the Islamic Courts by U.S. officials was that less than 5% of the Islamic Courts leadership can be considered extremist, according to a senior State Department official." During 2003, the American Central Intelligence Agency began covert operations targeting the Courts. The Bush administration had become increasingly concerned with the growing power of

8712-438: The alliance of Somali political parties, the Forum for National Parties. In September 2019 Sharif founded the Forum for National Parties an alliance of six political parties including his own party Himilo Qaran and the UPD which is the party of his successor Hassan Sheikh Mohamud . The FNP alliance has united the leadership of the country to work together toward resolving Somalia's political and security issues. Since it

8844-531: The autonomous Puntland and Galmudug regions as well as the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also attended the signing. Sharif's participation in the presidential contest and his acceptance of the results of his defeat was a demonstration of democracy coming to Somalia. He was widely praised for the peaceful handover of power. It was the first such transfer witnessed in Somalia in four decades. Sharif has been called 'The Father of Modern Somalia' due to his achievements during his presidential term. In

8976-445: The border, residents in towns within Somalia reported encounters with Ethiopian troops inquiring whether the ICU had reached the area. ICU head Sheik Sharif Ahmed claimed that hundreds Ethiopian troops had entered the country through the border town of Dolow in Gedo region and that Ethiopian forces had also been probing Somali border towns. He threatened to fight Ethiopian troops if they continued intervening and declared, "We want

9108-432: The business community, dismantled hundreds of illegal checkpoints and arrested thousands of militia members operating them. The chairman of the courts declared that these were the first step towards establishing an Islamic government in Somalia. At a June 1999 meeting, several Islamic Courts unanimously declared their refusal to participate in any "clannish armed confrontations." They appealed to warlord Hussein Aidid of

9240-415: The challenges facing Somalia , and the possibility of achieving peace, stability and reconciliation for the Somalis. On 30 September 2009, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (C.S.I.S.) in Washington hosted a statesman's forum with Sharif on Somalia promoting peace through international engagement. On 10 October 2009, Sharif presented a speech at the General Debate of the 64th Session of

9372-474: The city and the crime rate in the area subsequently dropped dramatically. Supported financially by local business men, vehicles dispatched from Siisii court began patrolling the main roads in north Mogadishu and day-to-day civilian activity in that part of the city began resuming as the security situation stabilized. In 1994 and 1995 other Sharia courthouses began opening up in northern Mogadishu, operating independently in their own self contained jurisdictions in

9504-494: The city from warlord control, eleven of the individual Sharia courts amalgamated to establish the Islamic Courts Council. This consolidation led to the unification of their militias into a single cohesive combat force. This development marked a pivotal moment in the civil war, as it signified the emergence of the first major non-warlord affiliated Somali armed force in the city. A 'Shari’ah Implementation Council'

9636-552: The city was ongoing in March 2006, the courts succeeded in seizing critical roads and infrastructure from the ARPCT. Prominent locals had urged the ICU and the warlord alliance to agree to a ceasefire to prevent bloodshed in Mogadishu. The ICU pledged to abide by a ceasefire, but mediators between the two organizations reported that the warlord alliance had delayed and refused to commit themselves. The Americans approved greater funding for

9768-461: The city with the help of the people's support which made it possible for the first time in sixteen years to reopen Mogadishu International Airport and Mogadishu Port . Top UN officials have referred to this period as a 'Golden era' in the history of Somali politics. At the time the Transitional Federal Government which was established in Mbagathi, Nairobi in 2004, was a fragile body which

9900-463: The city. Mogadishu International Airport , closed since the withdrawal of UNOSOM II forces in 1995, was reopened by the courts on July 15, 2006. On August 25, the historic seaport , once one of the busiest in East Africa, was also reopened by the courts, marking a crucial step in revitalizing the region's economic infrastructure. The formation of a sanitation committee and the organization of

10032-506: The city. They also began spreading to the Hiiraan region, though did not survive in the long term due to the intransigence of warlords. During these early years the courts began gaining considerable support for deploying security forces to protect schools and hospitals from warlord incursions and predatory bandits. Before the establishment of these courts, acts of rape had become commonplace in north Mogadishu since 1991. The establishment of

10164-473: The civil war began. Mogadishu residents moved freely for the first time in years as the security situation stabilized, the international airport and seaport reopened after more than a decade, large-scale debris cleanup began, and the presence of weapons on the streets significantly decreased. The organization began pacifying large swathes of territory outside of the capital and expanding it's control over much of Somalia. Six months into their governance,

10296-491: The courts also did not take positions on national-political or clan affairs, lending significant credence to their purported impartiality. Around the same time as the creation of the Mogadishu courts, Sheikh Mohamed Haji Yusuf and Sheikh Mohamud A. Nur established a new Islamic court in the Luuq District of Gedo region during 1992. The Gedo court had more success than its counterparts in Mogadishu. Order and security

10428-486: The courts started to unify in the early 2000s, tensions further escalated with the warlords who were becoming increasingly marginalized. The ascendance of an Islamist political force in Somalia during this period was perceived as a threat to Western strategic interests in the Horn of Africa . Within the framework of the War On Terror , the U.S. government also perceived the rise of an Islamic movement in Somalia as

10560-645: The courts. In 1994, the opening of a court in Mogadishu run by a Sheikh named Ali Dheere had a significant impact on the expansion of the Sharia courts system in the city. Dheere, who lived in one of the most dangerous regions of war-torn Mogadishu, became exhausted with the growing anarchy. He decided to put his religious training to use by setting up the first major Sharia court in Somalia. The infamous "Siisii Street" ran through his community and became notorious for its dangerous reputation. Siraadka Qiyaama iyo Siisii Allow na mooti (Translation: "Oh god save me from

10692-468: The de facto ruler of the territory, General Mohammed Farah Aidid and his faction the Somali National Alliance opposed the Islamic courts as it was viewed a threat to his hold on power, and no progress occurred until after Aidids death. Ali Mahdi , Aidids prime rival controlling the northern part of the city, issued a decree to dismantle Ali Dheere's Court after perceiving the Sheikhs rising popularity as

10824-474: The defeated warlords allegedly fled to an American naval vessel off the Somali coast according to witnesses in Mogadishu. On 5 June 2006, the Islamic Courts Union decisively defeated the warlord alliance in the Second Battle of Mogadishu , gained total authority over the capital and proceeded to establish a 65-mile radius of control around the city. This was a seminal moment in modern Somali history, as

10956-528: The deputy leader of the ICU executive council, stated soon after that, "The Somali government has violated the accord and allowed Ethiopian troops to enter Somali soil." The TFG claimed that no Ethiopians were in Somalia and that only their troops were in Wajid. Soon after, residents reported two military helicopters landing at the town's airstrip. BBC News confirmed reports of Ethiopian troops in Wajid during interviews with local residents and aid workers. Following

11088-569: The development reflected a growing realization within the UN that the ICU was the first serious governing body to appear since the collapse of the Somali state in 1991. The Arab League arranged a conference between the ICU and TFG in June 2006 to discuss merger proposals in Khartoum , Sudan. The talk initially began positively but rapidly collapsed over the issue of Ethiopian forces deployed to Somalia at

11220-406: The disastrous 1993 Battle of Mogadishu . Many of the warlords the Americans funded to fight the Islamic Courts Union were many of the same ones that had fought directly against the Americans in Mogadishu during UNOSOM II in 1993. The ICU did not maintain a significant fighting force as the organization was overwhelmingly focused on providing legal and social services. The deficiency in firepower

11352-419: The election impasse in the 2021 elections. In January 2019 Sharif announced his intention to stand for the 2021 presidential election on the ticket of his political party Himilo Qaran , citing the "inability of the current leadership to restore peace and security" against al-Shabaab militants who still control large rural regions of the country. As a group of 14 presidential candidates met in Mogadishu for

11484-410: The end of the year, their coordinated efforts had begun to weaken the warlords' dominance in the capital. By mid-1999, Islamic Courts operating in the central regions were securing roads from Galkayo to Guriel and providing the only functioning detention and prison services in much of southern Somalia. By the late 1990s, Mogadishu experienced growing optimism as the Islamic Courts, in collaboration with

11616-529: The following weeks witnessed a noteworthy decline in the prices of goods. Researchers conducting fieldwork in Somalia during May 2023 observed that some of the only banknotes still circulating in the country were ones issued by the ICU government over a decade and half earlier. British television station Channel 4 acquired a leaked document detailing a confidential meeting between senior American and Ethiopian officials in Addis Ababa six months prior to

11748-515: The former leader of the Islamic Courts Union, was in search of a headquarters for establishing a new political party, the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia . In September 2007 nearly 500 delegates gathered in Asmara , Eritrea , including Islamists , parliamentarians, civil society and the diaspora and adopted a constitution. Sharif's party the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia signed

11880-404: The full scale 2006 invasion was the passing of United Nations Security Council 1725 on 6 December 2006. The resolution called for the deployment of foreign troops and the lifting of the arms embargo. The Islamic Courts and Muslim Somali leaders had in the months prior to the resolution firmly rejected the deployment of any international military forces in Somalia as an act of war. Top leaders of

12012-439: The full scale December 2006 invasion. Participants deliberated on various scenarios, with the 'worst-case scenario' being the potential takeover of Somalia by the Islamic Courts Union. The documents revealed that the US found the prospect unacceptable and would back Ethiopia in the event of an ICU takeover. Journalist Jon Snow reported that during the meeting ‘the blueprint for a very American supported Ethiopian invasion of Somalia

12144-466: The general rising lawlessness. The first Shari'a courts were started on a small local neighborhood level by Somali religious leaders as a way to address issues in their communities. Most problems they dealt with were related to petty crimes and family disputes. In the chaotic political context of war torn Mogadishu the religious leaders were considered by most Somalis as some of the only people who could be trusted to impartially resolve disputes. Importantly,

12276-473: The global maritime industry. On 28 June 2012, Sharif signed a cooperation deal with Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo , President of the separatist Somaliland region in northwestern Somalia. Referred to as the Dubai Charter, the agreement calls for greater coordination between Somalia's various political units and is part of broader international reconciliation efforts among all Somali parties. The presidents of

12408-561: The hard work by all sides to create an inclusive parliament," Ould-Abdallah said in a statement. In March 2009, Sharif attended the Arab summit in Bagdad to get support for his fight against Al-Shabaab, and establishment of security, peace and reconciliation. On 6 August 2009, Sharif and US Secretary of State , Hillary Clinton held a joint press conference in Nairobi , Kenya discussing

12540-491: The initial Mogadishu courts were linked to the Hawiye clan, the ICU took deliberate measures to ensure clan bias did not influence legal proceedings. This approach ultimately earned them a reputation for impartiality. The Courts made efforts towards patching together neighborhoods that had been divided by the civil war. The capital witnessed a small building boom. By 19 June 2006, the ICU founded several clinics and schools in

12672-401: The initiative gained significant popularity and acceptance, along with substantial financial support from the Somali business community, as it originated from the grassroots level, built legitimacy through religious solidarity, addressed local security concerns, and demonstrated a commitment to restoring public order. During the summer of 2006, the ICU defeated a warlord alliance backed by

12804-544: The invocation of the divine played crucial roles in state-building. Massoud highlights that the Sharia courts' use of religion to foster stability has parallels with those courts that significantly influenced the nascent phases of democratic states. During August 2000, Islamic Courts fighters were operating in the Banaadiir and Lower Shabelle regions. From Mogadishu south down to the port city of Baraawe , courts personnel were present attempting to establish security. When

12936-477: The mid-1990s, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Law and Islamic Shariah . Sharif departed for Somalia in 2000 at a time when Somalia was under the control of warlords and friends could not visit each other in Mogadishu due to clan separation and mistrust. The legacy of the civil war was apparent everywhere in Somalia and Sharif had ambitions of saving his country and his people. He established Al Shuruuq Agency,

13068-501: The northeastern town of Garowe to discuss post-transition political arrangements. After extensive deliberations attended by regional actors and international observers, the conference ended in a signed agreement between the President, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali , Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan , Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole , Galmudug President Mohamed Ahmed Alin and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a representative Khalif Abdulkadir Noor stipulating that: a)

13200-458: The organization to adopt a more confrontational stance against the warlords. The CIA backed warlords had a notorious pattern of seizing innocent clerics with little or no intelligence value, which greatly fed into the already existing perception among Somalis that the Americans and the warlords were waging a war against Islam under the guise of the War on terrorism . During 2006, at the suggestion of

13332-514: The organization would invoke a jihad against Ethiopian forces if they did not withdraw. The escalation of Ethiopian troop deployments into Somalia during July 2006 began raising fears of a possible 'all-out war' in the Horn of Africa . The TFG publicly denied the existence of Ethiopian forces in Baidoa and argued the claims were ICU propaganda. TFG minister of information Mohammed Abdi Hayir , claimed that sightings of Ethiopian forces in Somalia were

13464-528: The other. Both parties agreed to renew talks and meet again in Khartoum. During the talks another significant deployment of Ethiopian troops occurred on July 20, 2006, when they moved into Somalia. Local witnesses reported 20 to 25 armored vehicles crossing the border. The Ethiopian government once again denied the presence of any troops inside Somalia. Reuters estimated that roughly 5,000 ENDF troops had built up inside Somalia by this point. This prompted an immediate warning from Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed that

13596-468: The population for change, was such that far off regions in the country, like Somaliland and Puntland , felt pressure and pronounced that they would use Sharia as a basis for governing their regions." Many Somalis across the nation held fundraising drives at mosques for the Islamic Courts. Several hundred men from Somaliland joined the Courts militia, while the contribution from ICU supporters in Puntland

13728-519: The purchase of vehicles or homes and overseeing marriages and divorces. On 26 June 2006, a 90-member Shura (consultative) council, chaired by Hassan Dahir Aweys , was established and operated under the ICU's executive committee led by Sharif Ahmed . ICU vice chairman Abdilqadir Ali Omar stated that the creation of the Shura council was the first step toward restoring order. He added that a broader council, with representatives from all sectors of society,

13860-487: The request of the TFG. The ICU insisted that the presence of Ethiopian forces was the priority and should be dealt with first, while the TFG insisted that an agreement on a unified government had to be made before removing the Ethiopian presence. Neither side was willing to compromise on the issue of Ethiopian troops, leading to the collapse of the talks. On 22 June 2006, the ICU and the TFG mutually recognized each other and that neither would engage in hostile propaganda against

13992-479: The roadblock could have been resolved if the mediators had suggested and pushed for a simultaneous withdrawal of both ICU and Ethiopian forces under international supervision. Before the full scale invasion began, more than 10,000 ENDF forces had been built up in and around Baidoa over the months since the first incursion. Professor Abdi Ismail Samatar observes that the Ethiopians had complete control over

14124-563: The state of education in the wake of the takeover, The Economist observed that, "...school attendance is rising, particularly among girls." During the ICU's brief control of southern Somalia, the organization made numerous declarations condemning discrimination against what the courts considered to be "oppressed clans" (e.g., Yibir , Madhibaan and Jareer ) as un-Islamic and haram . The courts deliberately orchestrated marriages between women from discriminated groups to men from larger Somali clans to challenge popular perceptions. While many of

14256-494: The suffering of the Somali people, we would like to say that we appreciate this wonderful effort." US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and representatives from over 40 governments attended the London Conference on Somalia, to discuss the rebuilding of Somalia and the tackling of piracy, terrorism and famine. On 1 June 2012, Sharif and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attended

14388-576: The towns seizure, the ICU pledged to wage a holy war to drive out ENDF forces in Somalia. The TFG insisted that the ICU withdraw to the territory it had occupied during the June conference, while the ICU demanded the withdrawal of Ethiopian military contingents in Somalia before discussions resumed. The two primary mediators, the Arab League and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) were both viewed as biased by

14520-437: The troubles that are associated with the day of judgement and those of Siisii Street") Primarily his court focused on aiding merchants and store owners resolve their disputes, helping people arrange legal agreements for large purchases like homes, and trying people for crimes. Local scholars, elders, businessmen and political leaders cooperated with Dheere in a bid to end the spiraling chaos in their community. Soon Ali Dheere had

14652-414: The violence of gangs and warlords which was prevalent throughout the capital. Subsequently, all five Islamic courts united and Sharif, who had always been seen as the moderate face of the Islamic Courts Union , was elected to become the chair. Somalia was already beginning to see swift political and economic changes under his first six months of leadership. Warlords and their influence were eliminated from

14784-558: The vote in the early hours of 31 January 2009, President Sharif was sworn in later in the day at the Kempinski hotel in Djibouti . Sharif vowed to form a broad-based government and invited all armed groups in the war-ravaged Horn of Africa nation to join the UN-sponsored reconciliation effort. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah , the UN's special envoy for Somalia, praised the "transparent" presidential vote. "We are finally seeing progress from

14916-408: The warlords and he further claimed that the flights remained in Somalia for the day so that CIA agents can confer with them. The CIA also gave its newfound allies surveillance equipment for "tracking al Qaeda suspects". According to multiple U.S. officials, the decision to use of the warlords as proxies was born from fears of once again committing large numbers of American soldiers to Somalia following

15048-426: The whole world to know what’s going on. The United States is encouraging Ethiopia to take over the area. Ethiopia has crossed our borders and are heading for us." Sharif stated that the courts had no intention of attacking Ethiopia, but claimed that Ethiopian forces had 'brought war' by beginning an incursion into Somalia. The Ethiopian government would deny the deployment of its forces in Somalia and countered that

15180-412: Was a legal and political organization founded by Mogadishu -based Sharia courts during the early 2000s to combat the lawlessness stemming from the Somali Civil War . By mid-to-late 2006, the Islamic Courts had expanded their influence to become the de facto government in most of southern and central Somalia, succeeding in creating the first semblance of a state since 1991. Following the collapse of

15312-483: Was created that same year, which began to consolidate resources and power on the basis of Islamic doctrine instead of clannism. Professor Mark Fathi Massoud draws a comparison between the Somalis' late 1990s and early 2000s turn towards local religious courts for self-governance and the historical patterns observed in early democratic Western Europe and colonial North America. In both cases, the establishment of courts and

15444-515: Was criticized by Somali citizens and international community. At the time the TFG was only recognized by Kenya and Ethiopia, as the European Union, the United States and other members of the international community refused to fully recognize the TFG's legitimacy until it operated from Mogadishu. To counter this, the TFG moved into Somalia for the first time in 2005, eventually setting up its headquarters south west of Mogadishu in Baidoa . As

15576-551: Was divided and weak. The Ethiopian army invaded Somalia claiming that it was trying to help the Transitional Federal Government and overthrew the Islamic Court Union . Sharif met with the US Ambassador to Kenya for talks concerning cooperation with the Transitional Federal Government, after which he left for Yemen to meet with other former Islamic Courts Union members. As an exiled opposition leader Sharif,

15708-532: Was elected chairman of a provincial court in Jowhar between 2001 and 2002. Armed groups in the Somali capital who exploited the disintegration of the central government had been responsible for countless kidnappings and killings. The court was established through a campaign which Sharif led to secure the release of an abducted child. The court was successful in securing the release of the child and other abductees as well as looted vehicles. The court went on to suppress

15840-401: Was enacted, driven by the alarming rate of deforestation occurring across the country due to the practice. The courts secured broad support from the Mogadishu business community by addressing issues such as theft and extortion , creating a more favourable environment for trade. As they advanced through southern Somalia, the ICU eliminated all militia checkpoints on the ' Baidoa Corridor,'

15972-441: Was enhanced by financial donors abroad who sought to bring any semblance of stability to the country. While some Somalis voiced disapproval of the more fundamentalist ways of the original Sharia courts, it was noted that most felt that they were well organized and effective civil administrators. During April 1999, several Sharia courts united for the first time, seizing control of Mogadishu's Bakaara Market from local warlords. By

16104-583: Was especially pronounced in heavy weaponry. According to senior Islamic court officials the union only possessed a total of four technical improvised fighting vehicles when the 2006 Battle of Mogadishu against the Somali warlord alliance broke out. Beginning in 2005 Mogadishu was hit by a significant wave of unexplained assassinations and disappearances. The Islamic Courts claimed that covert US government operations and warlords were targeting high ranking ICU officials. According to C. Barnes & H. Hassan, "It

16236-530: Was established throughout Luuq district and consequently it became the safest area in Somalia during much of the 1990s. The court later dissolved in 1997 when the Somali National Front and Ethiopian military collaborated to topple it. During 1993 new courts emulating the Luuq judiciary opened in Mogadishu. The United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM) that operated during the mid-1990s opposed

16368-453: Was expected to be formed in the near future. After coming into power the Courts began delivering social services and openly pushed for resumption of democratic elections. After law and order, the restitution of education and healthcare were among the groups top priorities. As opposed to the strict enforcement of the Taliban , the ICU did not forcefully impose religious edicts on Somali society, defying international expectations. Commenting on

16500-472: Was formed, the FNP has campaigned on various issues which include humanitarian aid , dialogue with FGS , and the Somali election model . In November 2020 Sharif was elected as chairman of the Council of Presidential Candidates, which has been active in holding the Somali government to account on the procedures concerning of the upcoming elections. The CPC has worked on resolving issues such as security issues and

16632-516: Was hatched’. No Somali officials were involved in the discussions. Pentagon officials and intelligence analysts reported that the invasion had been planned during the summer of 2006 and that US special forces were on the ground before the Ethiopians had intervened. According to Ted Dagne, an Africa specialist for the US Congressional Research Service , the Islamic Courts had committed no act or provocation to initiate

16764-624: Was held at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on 27–28 June. It was attended by more than 400 delegates including Foreign Ministers, the United Nations' International Maritime Organisation, industry leaders, welfare organisations and academic experts. The Conference Keynote Address was given by Sharif from the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. The event concluded with a strong call for a "comprehensive approach" against pirates that includes national governments, international organisations and

16896-460: Was in this context that a military force known as Al-Shabaab (‘the Youth’) emerged, related to but seemingly autonomous of the broad based Courts movement." At the time it was widely believed in Mogadishu that Somali warlords were cooperating with U.S. intelligence agents carry out kidnappings. Throughout Somalia, religious authorities who were collaborating with the ICU began being kidnapped, pushing

17028-498: Was introduced to restructure the security wing. The open possession of firearms was banned unless registered with a court , and foreign visitors were required to provide two weeks' notice for security purposes. Various Sufi tariqas and non-Sufi organizations affiliated with the ICU began hiring and training bailiffs and police officers. The ICU also created a coast guard , effectively ending pirate activity through aggressive anti-piracy operations . According to court officials,

17160-577: Was primarily financial and logistical . During the summer of 2006, a UN report alleged the ICU was being given support by Eritrea , Djibouti , Iran , Libya , Egypt , Saudi Arabia and Syria . The Ethiopian invasion began with the dispatch of several thousands troops around Baidoa city located in Bay region , far inside Somalia, to build a bridgehead for a future large scale military operation. On 16 June 2006, Shabeelle Media Network reported that sources in Ethiopia's Somali Region had witnessed

17292-420: Was regarded by some observers as the most successful experiment at pacifying the war torn capital and at re-establishing order over large swathes of territory in south-central Somalia. In the view of political scientist Alexandra Magnólia Dias, the Courts "seemed to be the only viable alternative with regard to a political state building project". For many Somalis, the Islamic Courts Union rekindled aspirations for

17424-533: Was used during the reign of the Somali Ajuran Sultanate . After existing for about 300 years, it declined during the 17th century after abandoning Sharia and becoming oppressive. During the 19th century, before the Scramble for Africa had arrived to Somali territories, Sharia courts headed by qadis (Islamic judges) operated all along the coast. During 1990, just before the full outbreak of

#237762