SOMALIA - Aweys Alive and Seemingly Unharmed

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 001134

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S CARSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - Aweys Alive and Seemingly Unharmed

REF: A) Nairobi 1122 B) Nairobi 1132

NAIROBI 00001134 001.3 OF 002



1. (SBU) Contrary to press reports and rumors on June 7 that Sheikh
Hassan Dahir Aweys was killed or injured, the leader of Hisbul Islam
(HI) appears to be alive and well. On the afternoon of June 8,
Aweys held a press conference in Mogadishu and reportedly did not
show any signs of injury. Conflicting reports suggested that Aweys
had been injured during fighting in the town of Wahbo, Galgadud
region. Aweys walked with no difficulties to the podium to address
the press. He discussed ongoing fighting in Mogadishu, stating that
HI attacks against the government and African Union Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM) are legal. Aweys accused the United States of
creating piracy and fomenting the violence through attempts to
eliminate the opposition using force. He said the U.S. has failed
in its attempts to use force and political tactics to control
Mogadishu. On June 7, Prime Minister Sharmarke proposed that Yusuf
Mohamud Siad "Inda Adde" (Hawiye/Hader Gedir/Ayr),former HI leader
now allied with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG),be named
Minister of State for Defense. President Sharif has not yet signed
off on this appointment, and it has elicited critique from
Hawiye/Abgal clan leaders who believe their clan is
under-represented. At present, there is a tenuous calm in
Mogadishu and surrounding regions with no reports of fighting. End
Summary.

--------------
Aweys Holds Press Conference
Blames Conflict on the US
--------------


2. (SBU) On June 7, press reports, conflicting details from
contacts and rumors suggested that HI leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir
Aweys was either killed or injured in fighting in Wahbo, in the
Galgadud region (Ref A). Following these reports, Aweys reportedly
told his close associates that he would hold a press conference to
refute these claims. The evening of June 7, sources at the
presidency confirmed to us Aweys was unhurt and in Mogadishu. On
the afternoon of June 8, Hassan Dahir Aweys held a press conference
in the Yaqshid area off Industrial Road in Mogadishu. He spoke for
approximately one hour about the fighting in Mogadishu and the
Galgadud region and took reporters' questions.


3. (SBU) Aweys claimed the current clashes are "programmed from New
York" and insisted that HI is engaged in a just fight against the
TFG. He said the U.S. has supported warlords and Ethiopians before
and that nobody should accept the "invaders'" intervention. Aweys
said the TFG leadership, who he referred to as "those claiming to be
leaders," cannot be trusted by Somalis since they remain under the
thumb of "invading forces" (AMISOM). He said the fighting will stop
after AMISOM withdraws and leaves Somalis to resolve their own
problems. Aweys blamed the killings and displacement in Mogadishu
on the TFG. He said that HI does not have control of the media the
TFG is using media to portray his group for being behind the
peoples' sufferings. "We fire from AK 47s and the TFG retaliates
with shelling in order to break our spirit by causing great human
suffering," Aweys said. When asked if there is any dialogue between
HI and the TFG, Aweys said it will come, but there is no dialogue at
the moment.

--------------
Aweys Contrasts the "Real" ASWJ
With "Ethiopian Proxies" in Galgadud
--------------


4. (SBU) Aweys said he did not go to fight in Wahbo and there was
no need for his presence because "there are others in charge of
armed operations." Responding to journalists' questions regarding
rumors about his injury/death, Aweys said they were the work of the
defeated factions of ASWJ "in an attempt to console themselves and
divert the attention from the disgraceful defeat they suffered in
the battle." According to journalists at the press conference,
Aweys showed no sign he is wounded as he walked upright without
effort.


5. (SBU) At the press conference Aweys downplayed the role of Alhu
Sunna Wal Jamaa (ASWJ) in the conflict. Aweys emphasized that his
group agrees with the "genuine" ASWJ on the fundamental principles
of Islam and regards them as respectable leaders/clerics who
distinguished themselves as freedom fighters in pre-independence
Somalia. Aweys offered tribute to ASWJ as a "respectable" group
representing the majority of Somalis. He said ASWJ leaders such as

NAIROBI 00001134 002 OF 002


Said Mohamed Abdulle Hassan, Sheikh Bashir, and Hassan Warsame never
aided non-Muslims against Muslims as people who claim to be ASWJ are
now doing. Aweys contrasted the "real" ASWJ with the faction in
Galgadud who he described as "Ethiopian agents and warlords" out to
implement Ethiopian policies in Somalia. He said those fighting in
the name of ASWJ in Central Somalia are Ethiopian proxies, funded,
armed, trained and backed by Ethiopia who makes no secret of its
support. (Note: ASWJ is not a monolithic group. Although all ASWJ
groups in Somalia have pledged support for the TFG, ASWJ factions in
Central Somalia continue to fight al-Shabaab and Hisbul Islam, and
ASWJ leaders in Mogadishu often describe these groups in Galgadud
and Hiran as "militaristic" (Ref B). End Note.)

--------------
Inda Adde Named
Minister of State for Defense
--------------


6. (SBU) In an unrelated development on June 7, Prime Minister
Sharmarke announced his recommendation that Sheikh Yusuf Mohamud
Siad "Inda Adde" (Hawiye/Hader Gedir/Ayr),be appointed as Minister
of State for Defense. Although Inde Adde has allied himself with
both the TFG and al-Shabaab in recent weeks, he appears to now be
firmly in support of the transitional government. During the recent
fighting in Mogadishu, Inde Adde and his militias played a key role
in the TFG advances. This appointment appears to be an effort to
reward Inde Adde by offering him a formal position and cementing his
alliance with the TFG.


7. (SBU) As Minister of State for Defense, Inda Adde would report
to Minister of Defense Mohamed Abdi Mohamed "Gandi." President
Sharif must still approve the PM's recommendation to formally make
the appointment. Although some within the TFG have expressed
concern about the optics of appointing this warlord to such a high
position, especially after he was so recently allied with
al-Shabaab, they expect the TFG President to do so. This potential
appointment has also angered Sharif's fellow Hawiye/Abgal clan
members who claim that they are under-represented in the cabinet
while the Haber Gedir, and the Ayr sub-clan in particular, are
over-represented. With the sensitivities caused by equal clan
representation, President Sharif and PM Sharmarke are likely to face
opposition as other sub-clans also demand new positions.

--------------
Comment
--------------


8. (SBU) Aweys' press conference has put to rest the rumors of his
injury/death. In his comments, he remained staunchly opposed to the
U.S., TFG and AMISOM, but articulated a more nuanced opinion of
ASWJ. If Sharif approves the appointment of Inde Adde, he would be
the Acting Minister of Defense since Gandi is currently out of the
country. At present, Mogadishu remains relatively calm and there
have been no reports of violence. If Inde Adde assumes the TFG lead
on defense, we may witness a new approach to strategies addressing
Aweys, HI, and al-Shabaab.

RANNEBERGER