SOMALIA - Shortcut to Sharia

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 000773 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/E AND ACTING A/S CARTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA - Shortcut to Sharia REF: Nairobi 594 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Somalis generally accept Sharia law, but most favor a form of Sharia that allows them to exercise their unique cultural traditions. Prime Minister Sharmarke told the Ambassador that establishing Sharia is a political decision to diffuse criticism by certain communities and an opportunity for the government to gain new supporters who were just waiting for Sharia law to switch alliances. The PM presented the Sharia law bill to parliament April 9, emphasizing that the Council of Ministers has agreed in principle to implement Sharia and that parliament should also approve its implementation. Once the bill is passed, the PM's plan is to establish an expert committee of lawyers, religious leaders, and constitutional experts to propose how to implement Sharia, which will eventually go to a public referendum. The Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, and others agreed that there is no way that Sharia can presently be implemented in all parts of the country because there is no judicial system to support it. Instead, they are approaching Sharia as a political project, confirming that the Charter conforms to Sharia law and beginning a national dialogue and the long process of developing new federal systems and state institutions that also conform to Sharia law. End Summary. Agreeing to Sharia: Clearing the Roadblocks -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In one of his first key policy decisions, President Sharif announced that his government would agree to establish Sharia law. This was an issue that divided many Islamic Courts supporters, some of whom had already pledged support to Sharif and the new unity TFG. Sharif told us that by accepting Sharia, he instantly removed a rallying point for al-Shabaab (reftel). The cabinet was split on how strict Sharia should be. Among those favoring stricter Sharia were reportedly Minister of Justice Abdurahman Mohamud Farah "Janaqow," Minister of Interior Abdukadir Ali Omar, and Minister of Higher Education and Heritage Ibrahim Hassan Addow. The cabinet named these three ministers to lead a committee to develop recommendations on Sharia law to present to parliament but they have not yet developed any formal proposals. Likewise, our contacts tell us the PM wanted to avoid discussing Sharia in detail. ¶3. (SBU) The government acceptance of Sharia has sparked debate in many circles about what version of Sharia would be promulgated and the modalities for implementation. Many fear that the harsh version of Sharia favored by al-Shabaab might gain momentum, but the overwhelming majority of our contacts insist the government and parliament understand that this version is not (and would never be) acceptable to the larger Somali population. Somalis across clan and regional divides insist that they have been living by Sharia for centuries and this decision represents nothing new. Our contacts emphasize that a tolerant Islam that emphasizes coexistence is, and will always be, a fundamental part of Somali culture. The spokesman from the traditional Islamic network Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a said an undesirable "political Islam" has been brought to the country by "foreigners who seek to undermine the most sacred tenants of Somali culture, tradition, and religious practice." Bill Sent to Parliament After Public Criticism -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Prime Minister faced pressure from circles anxious to see Sharia implemented as soon as possible. In a media interview, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Osman Elmi Boqore, accused Prime Minister Sharmarke of delay tactics, insisting that the PM immediately submit the bill to establish Sharia law to parliament. Many MPs have told us they are ready to debate and vote on the measure. PM Sharmarke explained to the Ambassador in an April 16 meeting (septel) that he presented the issue of Sharia law to the parliament emphasizing four points: the Council of Ministers had agreed in principle to implement Sharia; parliament should approve the implementation of Sharia law; the Ministers of Justice, Constitution and Federal Affairs, and Religions Affairs will consult with scholars to ensure the Charter is in accordance with Sharia; and after parliament approves the measure, President Sharif will appoint a committee to develop suggestions on how to implement Sharia through a constitutional framework. These proposals would then be put to referendum for the public to finally decide. NAIROBI 00000773 002 OF 002 Parliament Speaker Plans To Adopt and Implement the Bill -------------- ¶5. (SBU) In an April 14 meeting, Speaker of Parliament Aden Mohamed Nur "Madobe" said the PMs office presented a one-page proposed bill without detail. Madobe handed the legislation over to the Committee for Justice and Religious Affairs. This committee is working with respected religious scholars to examine all articles of the Transitional Federal Charter to ensure it conforms to Sharia law. Madobe predicted the committee would find that the Charter and Sharia law are compatible. ¶6. (SBU) Madobe said that he planned to introduce the Sharia bill to parliament for debate as early as April 18. Madobe told PolOff, "The United States need not worry - we are not interested in any practices that contradict established norms." Madobe said that Somalia is tired of being on the outside, that it is part of the international system and wants to establish legal and judicial systems that are in accord with international laws and principles. He predicted that al-Shabaab would be among the first indicted by a Sharia court, given their murderous ways. Madobe said it would be impossible to implement Sharia in areas the TFG doesn't control. Until the government is stronger, communities will continue to manage their affairs through the customary laws that have governed their actions for centuries, the Speaker concluded. The PM's Sharia Strategy: A Gamble That Might Pay Off -------------- ¶7. (SBU) In the April 16 conversation with the Ambassador, PM Sharmarke admitted that the entire Sharia issue is political and "it has bought us time, given us space, and it has gained us support." Sharmarke stated that there was a significant group, including members of the Hisbul Islam alliance, who have been waiting for the implementation of Sharia law, to publicly support the government. The Prime Minister called Sharia a "tactic" to help in the government's outreach efforts to peel off disaffected members of al-Shabaab. He told the Ambassador that he expected a rush of young people to come over to the side of the government as soon as parliament adopts Sharia law. The question, the PM said, will become what to do with all the youth who are ready to join us. Yet, he predicted the government's vehement opponents would find reason to criticize Sharia's implementation. Comment -------------- ¶8. (SBU) While the Prime Minister may be overly optimistic that a stampede of youth will join the government as soon as Sharia is accepted by parliament, most agree that Sharia will win some converts. Some of the more hard-line fundamentalists (even within the government) would like to see President Sharif and the PM take a more active role in implementing Sharia, but reluctantly accept that political conditions do not currently allow this. On several occasions, various government officials, including President Sharif and the Prime Minister, personally assured the Ambassador that they are not interested in implementing any extreme laws or practices and believe that except for very minor adjustments, the Charter will remain as is. ¶9. (SBU) The TFG generally views the Sharia exercise more as a way to validate the government and as an olive branch to offer religious fundamentalists who may be more willing to support the government. We expect the parliament to quickly pass legislation implementing Sharia law. The Speaker and the PM are on the same page about addressing as little detail as possible and in Madobe's characteristic leadership style, a Sharia bill, short on detail and long on general principles will likely result. The more long-term challenge will be to build the institutions to fully consider and more formally adopt Sharia law, after working through the details on how it coincides with a new constitution. If Sharia is to eventually go to referendum, it might provide the impetus for Somalis of all stripes to work together to build the necessary framework through which the constitution must also pass. RANNEBERGER