In Somalia, the former chairman of theIslamic Courts Union (ICU) was elected as the country?s new president over theweekend. Reaction to the election of Sheik Sharif Ahmedhas been generally positive, although Islamist hardliners havebeen critical.
DavidShinn, former US ambassador to Ethiopia and professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, spoke favorably about Somalia?s new president.
?It?sgenerally a positive reaction. It shows that the Djibouti peace process isalive and well and it is an indication that at least the possibility existsthat Sheik Sharif and those who support him and the Djibouti process can infact create a government of national unity. I don?t think there was anyprospect of this until this development,? he says.
Askedthe significance of the new leader?s former association with the ICU, Shinnsays, ?It?s significant, but it?s very difficult to know how much realgrassroots support he has. Seemingly, he has a considerable amount. But thatwill certainly bring a number of Somalis into his camp. It might alienate afew, but he did have a reputation as being something of a moderate. So I don?treally see it as being a significant handicap at all. It?s probably much moreof a benefit.?
Shinnsays Ethiopia, which recently withdrew its troops from Somalia, has expressedfavorable reaction to the election. However, the hard-line militia, al Shabab,views it differently.
?AlShabab opposes it of course? saying they will not join this new unitygovernment. But al Shabab is opposed to just about anything that has thepossibility of bringing peace and unity to Somalia. I think al Shabab wouldonly be happy if it were in charge of everything,? he says.
It?sunclear at this time whether Somali?s new president will have the militarysupport to stand up to al Shabab. ?That?s the big question and it willcertainly be necessary to start peeling away some of al Shabab?s support. And Ithink that?s possible,? Shinn says.
Shinnsays he doubts al Shabab members have any strong political commitment and mayremain loyal to the group as long as they?re paid well. The selection of a newprime minister may also affect support for the hard-line group. He says themore broad-based the new government is the more successful it will be.
Theformer ambassador says the international community must support this process,saying, ?There?s really no other game in town.? But he says the Arab world canplay a key role.
?The Arab world can play an absolutelycritical role, perhaps a more important role than that of any other group ofnations. Both the Arab League and the organization of Islamic Conference?can,behind the scenes, simply get behind this effort to help make it work and tosupport it financially. And if they do that it will enhance enormously thepossibility that this unity government will function well,? he says.