Somalia: UN envoy calls Islamist militia to withdraw from Central town

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Somalia has called Islamist group Ahlu Sunna Waljama’ah to withdraw from a Central town, days after capturing it from forces loyal to the Federal government.
In a Press Statement, Ambassador Nicolas Kay reiterated his concern over the recent violence in Dhusamareb, the capital of Galgadud region and North of Mogadishu. He urged the militias to move back ‘’to earlier positions’’ and disputes resolved via ‘’peaceful dialogue’’.
“I urge the ASWJ forces to disengage and withdraw to earlier positions. All differences should be resolved through peaceful dialogue and compromise. Resorting to arms to stake any community’s claims puts at risk the significant progress made in the state formation process.”
Two days ago Ahlu Sunna waljama’a militia launched a surprise attack on Dhusamareb, taking the control of the town after few hours from the government forces.
Ahlu Sunna waljama’a is a paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to the radical Islamist groups such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia. It became prominent in 2008, when it took up arms against al-Shabaab after the radical group began destroying the tombs of the country’s Sufi saints.
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