puntland reaches deal with local islamic clerics

Hou have to hand it to Adde Muse, he is a political genious !

Somalia: Puntland leader reaches deal with local Islamic clerics
18 Nov 18, 2006, 18:00

GALKAYO, Somalia Nov 18 (Garowe Online) - The president of the self-governing Puntland region in north Somalia has accepted a proposal from local Islamists, confidential sources have informed Garowe Online.



President Mohamud “Adde” Muse held a closed-door meeting with prominent Islamic clerics from the Puntland regions in Galkayo yesterday.



Sources said President Adde accepted the local clerics’ proposal, including the imposition of Islamic Shari’ah law as the law of the land.



Furthermore, the Puntland leader agreed to hold a new grand conference in Garowe, the State capital, and discuss the future of Puntland as a whole.



Puntland was declared in 1998 after the first Garowe Grand Conference.



The sources stated that President Adde explained his position to Col. Abdullahi Yusuf, president of the Baidoa-based interim government.



President Yusuf, who is the former leader of Puntland, reportedly dismissed President Adde Muse’s plans and there are fears that a new rift has erupted between the two leaders.



The Puntland administration is seen as the key backer of President Yusuf’s government.



No word has come from either the interim government or the Puntland administration.



Garowe Online News