Somalia: Eritrea should not divide Somali Alliance

25 May 2008

From Hiiraan Online, Summary translation by Somali Press Review

The Chairman of the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia (ARLS) Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has called for the government in Eritrea to refrain from dividing the Alliance. In a press conference held in Djibouti, Sheikh Sharif said: “It is regrettable that the Eritrean government has shown how keen it is to divide the Alliance members. We are indebted to Eritrea for the help it provided us but decisions about Somalia will have to be made by Somalis themselves.” Sheikh Sharif said he apologises to the Somali people for the remarks made my senior member of the Alliance based in Eritrea.” The Alliance is a political, peaceful movement set up to represent the Somali people on the international arena.,” Sheikh Sharif told media representatives at the press conference.

Any shortcomings within the Alliance will be solved on the basis of the rules and regulations for the Alliance. I emphasise to the international community that Ethiopia has no intention to leave Somalia as was clear in the interview with the Meles Zenawi, the Ethiopian prime minister.”

Sheikh Sharif expressed gratitude to the government and people of Djibouti their support for and interest in efforts to solve the Somalia’s long-standing problems.Source: Hiiraan Online