Somalia: Kismayo Islamists Reject Uganda Leader's Plans

23 September 2009

Kismayo — Somali Islamists who control the Horn of Africa country's southern port of Kismayo have rejected comments attributed to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Radio Garowe reports.

Sheikh Hassan Yakub, spokesman for Al Shabaab administrators in Kismayo, told reporters Wednesday that the Ugandan leader's plan to deploy African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) to Kismayo and Baidoa is aimed at "misleading" the international community.

"He [Ugandan President] wants to gain project funds from the international community," said Sheikh Yakub, who was speaking at a press conference in Kismayo.

According to the spokesman, the Al Shabaab administration in Kismayo has formally changed its name to the "Islamic Walaayah of Jubba."

It is not clear whether or not all armed factions in Kismayo agree with this new name, but a political dispute has been brewing over the administration of Kismayo in recent months.

Kismayo was seized in Aug. 2008 by a coalition of clan militias and Islamist fighters, including Al Shabaab, Ras Kamboni and Anole. While Ras Kamboni and Anole merged with other factions to form Hizbul Islam in early 2009, Al Shabaab has remained fiercely independent and has maintained an iron-grip control in Kismayo.

Inside sources say Hizbul Islam political leaders have been attempting to mediate between Al Shabaab and the Ras Kamboni-Anole alliance.

While Al Shabaab is a multi-clan faction that primarily draws support from the outside, Ras Kamboni and Anole draw support from the local Darod clans in Middle Jubba and Lower Jubba regions.

Source: allAfrica.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/200909240715.html.