20 killed as Islamists battle for control of Kismayu

Using religion

“It is mostly economic. They are fighting for control of the resources from the port and airport ... they are using religion as cover for several interests: tribal, economic and politics.”

Sheikh Hassan Yakoub Ali, the information officer of the one faction in Kismayu that unilaterally announced in Kismayu town an authority, called the residents in the port town to defend his authority.

The cleric stated that a hostile force, led by Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam alias Sheikh Ahmed Islam, wanted to overthrow the Islamist rule.

Sheikh Yakoub accused Sheikh Ahmed Madobe of undermining the Islamist authority that has ruled Kismayu since August 2008.

The clergyman stressed that since Sheikh Ahmed Madobe brought a huge military arsenal and militias on Sunday morning, insecurity and vandalism had increased in the district.

Last week, Sheikh Yakoub announced that the authority in Kismayu joined al-Shabaab.

The move was rejected by Sheikh Hassan Abdullahi Hersi alias Sheikh Hassan Turki, a senior Islamist chief in Somalia and a Deputy of Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, the leader of Hizbu Islam.

Since Sheikh Hassan Turki’s refutation of al-Shabaab’s unilateral announcement of an authority in Kismayu heightened the emerging tension.

But, things slide from bad to worse when on Sunday; Sheikh Ahmed Madobe brought a large force from Dhobley town near the border with Kenya to Kismayu.

Addressing the public through Kismayu’s Andalus radio, Sheikh Yakoub cautioned the residents that Sheikh Ahmed Madobe was a troublemaker.

He even blamed him for encouraging bad manners including women throwing away the hijab, the long dress used to cover from head to toe.