HARD-LINE ARS LEADERSHIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000544 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E, LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/11/2018 TAGS: PGOV PINS SO ER SUBJECT: HARD-LINE ARS LEADERSHIP Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Dr. Salah Ali from the hard-line ARS faction informed Emboffs on November 6 that Sheik Dahir Aweys is the official leader of the hard-line ARS, claiming to hold the posts of both overall ARS Chairman and Chairman of the ARS Executive Committee. Ali's supposed role is Chairman of the Central Committee, which is made of twenty (unnamed) members. Ali said Hussein Mohamed Farrah Aidid's title is First Vice President. ¶2. (C) Ali believes that Sheik Sharif Ahmed returned to his village in Somalia to seek unity among the Islamic Courts. He said that reconciliation between the two ARS factions was possible, specifically stating that Sheik Sharif "will not be excluded" from any eventual deal. Ali added that he believes the Djibouti peace deal will not work out, given the TFG's "weakness and inefficiency," and that Sharif will never be appointed to Prime Minister of Somalia. ¶3. (SBU) Dr. Salah Mohamed Ali's Contact Information: Address: 6th Floor, Hamassian Hotel, Asmara, Eritrea Telephone: 2911120615 Mobile: 07199802 Email: Isbaheysi@gmail.com, or Lsbaheysi@gmail.com. FAX: 2911110087 MCMULLEN