The ousted Islamic Courts, which has recently been wresting control of key cities from the interim government and its Ethiopian allies, on Wednesday, April 2, pledged commitment to a new UN-brokered peace drive.
"Members of the international community are trying to help Somalis overcome their differences and we will do all we can to be flexible and achieve a lasting peace," Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed told Agence France-Presse (AFP) in an interview following talks in Nairobi.
Sheikh Sharif, is the chairman of the executive council of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), an opposition umbrella group based in the Eritrean capital Asmara and fighting Ethiopian occupation forces.
"The ARS met UN officials and other members of the international community in Nairobi, our engagement with them is encouraging," he said.
Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Premier Nur Hassan Hussein, who is more open to talks with the Islamic Courts than his predecessor, were also in the Kenyan capital.
But according to Somali officials, the ARS leader did not meet directly with either of them.
UN top envoy for Somalia Ahmedou Ould Abdallah has been encouraged by his latest consultations with government officials and opposition leaders.
"These are very encouraging new developments and a positive sign of a commitment by the Somalis to rebuild their country and start again."
Sheikh Sharif was the head of the Islamic Courts, which ousted US-backed warlords from Mogadishu in 2006 restored unprecedented stability during its brief six-month tenure before being ousted by Ethiopian and interim government force.
Ethiopia’s military intervention was largely seen as having the blessings of Washington, which considers Addis Ababa a key African ally in its war on terror.
End Occupation
Sheikh Sharif stressed that they remain committed to fighting Ethiopia occupation forces.
"Somalis are fighting a legitimate war, in order to gain their independence," he said.
Islamic Courts fighters have recently been wrestling control of one key city another from the government and Ethiopian forces.
They captured the central town of Buulo Burte, 206 kilometers north of the capital Mogadishu, on Monday, March 31.
A week before, Islamic Courts fighters wrestled control of the two strategic towns of Jowhar and Mahadai.
"The fighting will continue until we achieve the result of a free Somalia," said Sheikh Sharif.
"Our people are currently being colonized and are experiencing the worst living conditions in the world."
Somalis traditionally view the Christian military giant across their border as a rival.
Independent analysts believe that any Ethiopian presence in Somalia was sure to provoke a response from the general population.
Several times, from 1992 to 1998, Christian Ethiopia sent troops into Somalia to attack Islamic movements.