Hardline Islamist leader headed to Italy for talks with government

Reliable sources have told a Somali website that Sheikh Hasan Dahir Aweys, the Chairman of the armed opposition groups in Somalia is headed for Rome, Italy.

Aweys’ trip comes after the Italian Ambassador to Kenya sent him an invitation in order to reconciliation talks between him and the Somali government which will be hosted by the Italian government.

The trip of the opposition to Italy comes after the Italian government recently announced that it was planning to host reconciliation talks between the Somali government and the opposition. Sheikh Hasan Dahir Aweys took over the leadership of Hisb Al-Islam a few days ago and is expected to travel to Rome on the 15th of June according to the invitation he has received.

Meanwhile, the Italian government has sent invitation letters to officials of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia among them the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Abdirahman Abdishakur and the foreign affairs Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Omar so that they can represent the TFG in the reconciliation talks with the opposition groups who will be led by Sheikh Hasan Dahir Aweys.

An official at the Italian embassy in Nairobi has said that Sheikh Hasan Dahir Aweys will first arrive at the Nairobi followed by the TFG officials where both groups will then be departing from, together.

The Italian government which colonized southern part of Somalia seems to be once again re-igniting their influence in Somalia which is currently in turmoil. Southern Somalia got its independence from Italy in 1960.

By Abdinasir Mohamed
Email: abdinasir4@gmail.com
Mogadishu-Somalia

Published by: Mo Guled

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