Uproar As Islamic Courts Faction Appoints 'New Chairman'

Posted to the web 13 October 2008 Political infighting within the Islamic Courts movement deepened on Sunday when the Eritrea-based faction announced the election of a new chairman, Radio Garowe reported. An Islamic Courts delegation from Eritrea now visiting the Somali capital Mogadishu told a press conference that the group elected Sheikh Omar Iman as the new chairman, replacing Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed at the top. The visiting delegation's spokesman, Ismail Haji Addow, told reporters that the new executive council chairman will hold office "until the next gathering." Sheikh Omar Iman, the chairman-elect, lives in Eritrea and was deputy of the Islamic Courts' legislative council (Shura) since 2006. Mr. Haji Addow had strong words for Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Ghelle, saying that Ghelle's recent comments were... [read full story]