Islamist leader vows to punish Ethiopian troops

November 24 2008 at 19:10

The Islamist administration in Kismayu has vowed to pursue Ethiopian troops after they leave the country.

The administration leader, Sheikh Abubakar Al-Zaila'i, pronounced the strong statement at the conclusion of a seminar held for the Koran schools (madrasa) teachers in Kismayu at the weekend.

Rarely seen in public, Sheikh Al-Zaila'i stated that the Ethiopians had committed atrocities in Somalia and should punished for it.

"There is no logic in witnessing Ethiopians escaping with impunity," said Sheikh Al-Zaila'i. "We are going to pursue them even if they cross back to Ethiopia."

The clergyman emphasised that it was also unacceptable that the Ethiopian troops destroyed many Somali towns and escape without castigation.

His remarks come at a time the Ethiopian troops supporting the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) are preparing to leave Somalia in line with a peace agreement signed in Djibouti between the TFG and the Djibouti-based Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia.
On the same occasion, Sheikh Al-Zaila'i told the audience in Kismayu that his administration was aware that the Kenyan government deployed forces along the border.

"If the Kenyans cross the border, we are going to fight them," he said.

Sheikh Abubakar Al-Zaila'i said that his Islamist movement in Somalia could not be threatened by tanks and airplanes.

"We will take the armaments away and use against them if they venture into our land," stated Sheikh Al-Zaila'i.