IRIN Interview with Islamic Courts Chairman Hassan Sheik Mohamed Abdi

The Chairman of the Islamic Courts in Somalia, Hassan Sheik Mohamed Abdi, has been elected a member of the 245-strong Transitional National Assembly (TNA) by the Djibouti-hosted Somali peace conference. The TNA is mandated to vote in a new government for Somalia which will then return home. He spoke to IRIN about the prospects for an end to a decade of civil war and anarchy, and his hopes that the Djibouti conference will usher in a new administration and a new era of peace and stability. QUESTION: What responsibilities do you have in southern Somalia and Mogadishu? ANSWER: We have a very large responsibility in Somalia, because when the central government disappeared and everything broke down and failed, people despaired. They were without any help. It was a very good chance for the gangs and the criminals to do whatever they wanted. The wise men and religious men, the intellectuals and the elders came together and thought of how they could save themselves and their property. That was the way we started – to use the Islamic courts to solve that problem. Q: But what practical measures could you take to cope with the lawlessness? A: The major problem was the gangs. We arrested them and put them in our jails. At the present time we have about 2,500 of them in prison, and it helped secure the capital and the south, from Mogadishu up to Lower Shebelle, from Merca to Brave. Our forces and our army are still there and we provide security and protect property. Q: You had some success reducing the number of road blocks set up by gunmen. But in Merca, for example, you never really had success with weapons control. A: We have done a lot of things in Merca, because before we went there people were living in a very bad situation. Even if you wanted to build your own house, even paint your house, or do things with your property, you had to pay money to the gangs first. If you wanted to marry a girl, you had to pay money to them. All these things we cleared up. People have got back their freedom to do things they want. Still, there are some problems because we can’t be everywhere, guarding every place. Q: And how did you cope with the warlords in Mogadishu? A: In Mogadishu today, there is a difference between the situation now and that of two or three years ago. You can drive a car alone, or walk at night. You can move about in Mogadishu. That is because of the presence of the Islamic Court soldiers. Our forces are everywhere in Mogadishu. Some things happen, of course, but the situation has changed. Q: Who finances the courts? A: Well, we used to spend a lot of money – we have a lot of technicals [jeeps mounted with heavy weapons], cars and soldiers, guns and arms, of course. This comes from the businessmen who are helping us to improve the life of the people, and security. This is our only source of financial support. Q: When Somalia was having problems, did Arab countries provide assistance? A: The Arab countries always used to say they wanted to help the Somali people, but I think they never did enough for Somalia. Especially in the last 10 years. I think the problem is that the Arab countries all wanted to have a good name and leadership in Somalia. I think there is a misunderstanding among the Arab countries about how to solve the Somali problem. But now they are saying they are ready to build Somalia. Q: Do you think one of those solutions is to make Somalia an Islamic state? A: It depends what you mean by an Islamic state. Yes, we are an Islamic country, 100 percent Muslim. And I think the only way to solve the problems of Somalia is to have a modern Islamic state. We should have good relationships with our neighbours and friends, with the European countries and America. But in our own special internal issues, I think Islam is the only way to solve the problems of today. We have thousands of gangs in the country and in the prisons, and we need a solution for those people. I think the only solution is the Islamic Courts. Q: Some of the delegates here, and political leaders in Somalia, say they won’t deal with “fundamentalists”. What do you think they mean by that? A: Because some people misunderstand Islam. And those who don’t know anything about Islam think fundamentalism is terrorism. For example, what happened between Ethiopia and Somalia about three years ago [when Ethiopia said it had moved soldiers and weapons across the Somali border in pursuit of Islamic fundamentalist groups] was that some Sudan groups were fighting inside Ethiopia. Those are not our groups, we have nothing to do with them. Q: Why did you come to Arta? What did you expect to get out of the conference? A: I hope – I think - we will have a government. We will leave Djibouti with a government. A very strong government, I hope. Q: And what reception do you expect it to get in the capital, Mogadishu? A: I think the first problem is to clear Mogadishu area and Lower Shebelle, because they are important areas of Somalia. And the government will be settled in Mogadishu. Q: And not in the temporary capital voted by the conference, Baidoa? A: I don’t have any problem with Baidoa, but I don’t see any reason to go to Baidoa when the capital is in Mogadishu. But if there is a problem in Mogadishu we can go anywhere in Somalia if necessary. Q: Will the Islamic courts take an active role in trying to make the reception safe, and acceptable? A: Oh yes, because if we don’t help the coming government I think they will never do anything, because we are the only forces which can do that. The first step we have to take is to clear up the gangs. We do that with the gun. We talk to the people and we announce that they must leave government buildings: You have to leave the houses that do not belong to you; you have to do this, this and this. We will give them time, say a week or 10 days, for everything to be all right. If they do as they are told, that is okay – otherwise we use the gun. Q: That sounds like war. A: No, I don’t think so. Absolutely not. If we go there and talk to the people I am very sure that 95 percent will go along with us. The other five percent - yes, I think they are capable of doing anything.