MOGADISHU — The chief of the Executive Council of the ousted Supreme Islamic Courts of Somalia (SICS) has agreed in principle to negotiate with the interim government in Mogadishu, but insisted that national reconciliation hinged on the withdrawal of all Ethiopian troops from the war-torn country.
"The Americans have urged us to negotiate with the transitional government and we agreed in principle," Sheikh Sharif Ahmed told IslamOnline.net over the phone from an undisclosed location in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
"We don't mind American-mediated talks though we hoped that any negotiations (with the government) would take place under the auspices of the Arab League," he added.
He said all parties including tribal leaders and intellectuals are invited to take part in the peace talks for the welfare of Somalia.
Sheikh Sharif held talks last month with US Ambassador in Nairobi Michael Ranneberger as Washington — which sees the Islamic courts leader as moderate — sought his help to help achieve stability in Somalia.
He told IOL he went to Nairobi at an invitation from the US embassy there and "some friendly countries that mediated between the courts and the Americans."
The senior Courts leader said he was ready to cooperate with the Americans should it serve the interests of Somalis.
"We are ready to deal with the US if this will help achieve stability in Somalia," he underlined, adding that the Courts were ready to make some concessions to resolve the current standoff and bring in much-hoped stability.
Sheikh Sharif is considered the number two in the once powerful Islamic Courts, which was ousted from the capital Mogadishu and strongholds in southern Somalia in recent weeks by the Ethiopian-backed interim government forces.
He had been the public face of the SICS when it kicked out a US-backed alliance of warlords from the capital Mogadishu and vast swathes of the chaos-mired country in June.
Sheikh Sharif denied in the interview that he had turned himself over to Kenyan authorities last month.
"I am free (in Nairobi)," he said. "US and Kenyan authorities have treated me well."
Unabated Resistance
The SICS leader, however, vowed a non-stop resistance operations unless the Ethiopian troops pulled out from al Somali territories.
"The SICS gives priority to liberating Somalia from the Ethiopian invaders," he said.
"For stability and national reconciliation to be achieved in Somalia, Ethiopian troops must withdraw, then negotiations be held between the SICS and the transitional government," he added.
Shaikh Sharif said the Ethiopian troops have damaged only five percent of the Courts's military capabilities and potentials.
"Ninety-five percent (95 %) of the Courts fighters are still there and steadfast in resisting the Ethiopian troops," he said.
He some of the Courts leaders are abroad and others have not left the country.
"They were not killed in the US raids in southern Somalia," he said, revealing that he would travel soon to Yemen soon to hold talks with SICS leaders there.
The vanquished SICS vowed to launch a guerrilla war against the Ethiopian troops, which started pulling out of the country last month.
Courts fighters and supporters circulated leaflets in the Somali Capital Mogadishu, warning people against cooperating with the Ethiopians.
Resistance attacks continued on Friday, February 2, as gunmen fired a barrage of shells into Ethiopian positions in southern Somalia. Civilians were caught in between.
Sheikh Sharif urged Somali resistance fighters to launch precise attacks to spare civilian lives.
"We are against targeting civilians. It is impressible in Islam to attack innocent people," he said.
"Resistance fighters should target adversaries whose positions are known to all," he added, referring to the Ethiopian troops.
On the deployment of some 8,000 African Union troops in Somalia, Sheikh Sharif said a Somali consensus is a must.
"Otherwise, it will add to the sufferings of the Somalis," he warned.
By Ahmad Atta, IOL Staff