Somalia

Somalia is a troubled Muslim nation on the Horn of Africa on the coasts of the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, east of Ethiopia and Kenya, threatened by quarreling Islamist movements. The overthrow of Somalia's President Siad Barre in 1991 following power struggles among clans resulted in the disintegration of central authority, and Somalia ceased to be a political national entity. Following the ousting of Barre, the region plunged into civil war with various clans jostling for power. This state of war has been exacerbated by the conflict between traditional religious groups and the more recent politicized movements for control over the future destiny of Somalia. In the ensuing mayhem, the Republic of Somaliland, Puntland, and Jubaland set themselves up as autonomous governments.

The transitional government that was set up in 2000 failed to establish order. In 2004, warlords reached a power-sharing agreement that called for a 275-member parliament and restoration of order by African peacekeepers. In 2006, fighting broke out between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Islamic Courts Union (ICU).

The ICU (established in 2000) managed to bring a semblance of order in areas under its control. Subsequently, the TFG and the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (which includes government ministers and warlords), with the assistance of Ethiopian troops, ousted the ICU, which then began to engage in a guerilla war against the government.

In the meanwhile, Al-Shabab (founded in 2004 and suspected of links with al Qaeda), soon grew popular and went to war with the TFG; the latter remained under the protection of AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia), which was deployed in 2007 by the African Union. Both the TFG and its opposition claimed strong adherence to Islam and a readiness to apply Shari'a law. However, they were [Page 1196]not agreed on what constitutes an Islamic state, thereby adding to the conflict and tension. The majority of nations in the international community have thrown its weight behind the TFG, which is being portrayed as consisting of Islamic moderates, led by Sheikh Sharif who rejects violence as a political weapon and urges political dialogue. Scheduled national elections in 2012, however, provided another occasion for unrest.

Somalis can be classified into traditionalists, reformists, and Salafis. They have traditionally adhered to the Ash'ariyah theology, Shafi'i jurisprudence, and Sufism. This tradition of the Ahl Al-Sunna wa Al-Jama is now being challenged by Salafi-inspired groups, including Al-Itisam, Al-Shabab, and Hizb Al-Islam as well as the reformists (Islah). The Salafis condemn many traditional Muslim practices as innovations (bid'ah). They also consider Sufism to be a heresy. Salafi influence entered Somalia through students who studied in Saudi Arabia and migrant laborers.

The Islah movement, being tolerant of theological differences, disapproves of preoccupation with fine distinctions in doctrine. It accommodates Sufism and other traditional practices found in Somalia and focuses on social and political issues. Its adherence to principles of peaceful reform and promotion of reconciliation since the collapse of the state is attractive to Somalis. Its main aim is to create an environment of cooperation between various Islamic groups and organizations that will facilitate the Islamization of the society and the state.

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