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THE ASWJ OFFICIAL WEBSITE
AHLU SUNNA WAL JAMA’A (ASWJ) PROFILE
The Institution Name: Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a “ASWJ” Administration (Central Somalia)
Establishment: After the collapse of the Somali government in 1991, a conflict and feud began which caused destabilization throughout the country. Over time the conflict saw the Somali government losing substantial control to Islamist militant rebel groups, who’s Intentions were to cause unrest.
Following the untold human suffering and collapse of the state infrastructure, extremists infused the youth with radical Islamic ideological beliefs which caused huge damage, loss and confusion. The ASWJ was established to save Somalia from disaster with the support of the vast majority of the Somali population, by providing a moderate Sufi democratic alternative.
Defining the various warring factions through the prism of an ideological template, it can be observed that all the extremist/terrorist groups draw their teachings from the Wahhabi ideology, while the vast majority of the moderate and tolerant Somali population is Sufi and by default ASWJ adherents. The ASWJ seeks to bring Somalia to a governable level and establish democratic institutions, which will subsequently reduce the level of insecurity in the region and the World at large. In order to achieve this objective, the ideological war must be won first by reinforcing the ASWJ, which traditionally has popular approval, while undermining the Wahhabi influence which continues to breed an extremist agenda.
While the Wahhabi faction has been supported from abroad and entrenched in its influence ever since and even before the collapse of the Somali government, the ASWJ has been the bedrock of the Somali culture and the regional clan network. The Wahhabi influence has been regarded as an alien religious influence with a solid foreign financial support, which contrasts with the traditionally oriented ASWJ. This external support and funding puts the Wahhabi influence at an advantage.
Despite the Wahhabi influence, the vast majority of the Somali population are Sufi Sunni Muslims with a few other minority denominations like the Wahhabi oriented groups. The current impasse has been largely attributed to this ideological inclination, however, the majority of the Somali population support the ASWJ.
Al Shabaab was the military wing of Islamic Court Union (ICU). After the ICU took control of Mogadishu and most parts of South-Central Somalia, Al Shabaab started defecting from the control of ICU and began to assassinate prominent Somali leaders and officers that did not share their ideology. Although the Wahhabi groups such as Hezbul Islam, Anole, Kiamboni and Al Shabaab, continued supporting each other, the TFG under Abdullah Yusuf’s leadership and supported by Ethiopian forces defeated them. In the time following the unification of the ICU and the TFG, Al Shabaab captured most of the South-Central part of Somalia, including Kismaio, Brawe and Merka ports.
Upon establishing power within their areas of control, Al Shabaab launched a wave of repression. This included closing the traditional schools and Sufi Mosques, assassinating Sufi clerics, intellectuals, sheiks and TFG officials, and desecrating Sufi graves and shrines. This oppression led to the development of an alternative solution with the creation of a military wing of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a (ASWJ) in 2007.
In the event, the military wing of ASWJ, with the help of elders, the local community and clan militias were able to lead the first offensive against Al Shabaab in Guriel. This conflict of the ASWJ and its allies in the local community unfolded and expanded against Al-Shabaab and its tactical allies Hizbul Islam (HI). In the central regions, ASWJ militias fought for control of Somalia's central regions during January 10th and 11th 2008 which resulted in a remarkable major defeat for Al Shabaab and their allies.
In this context, ASWJ aims to develop and strengthen a better Somalia that upholds human rights for the population in a democratic society, with sustainable development and an enhanced economic livelihood. It is committed to a peaceful, prosperous country and the creation of a safer Somalia both for the region and for the World. It seeks to unite all Somalis, for the benefit of all and provide a Somali solution to a Somali problem.
VISION:
To establish a Democratic Republican State supported by the majority of all peace loving Somalis, with the collaboration of existing institutions and international communities.
MISSION:
ASWJ is a moderate community-based Sufi Islamic grass roots organization. It is united and committed to defend moderate religion and popular circular laws for Somalia. It seeks to assist and protect the majority community by fighting against terrorist extremist and jihadist groups, helping to protect the Somali people from negative imported ideologies and hatred.
CORE PRINCIPLES:
1. Establish a moderate Islamic nation with democratic principles
2. Develop a Democratic Republican State
3. Recognise and Protect the individual Rights of Somali citizens and others
4. Seek to improve the co-existence of all nations and communities regardless of their religious, cultural beliefs and backgrounds
5. Respect the International Rule of Law and Human Rights of all persons
OBJECTIVES:
1. To create awareness, acknowledgement and the defeat of Al-Shabaab and significantly reduce religious extremism, its ideological influence in Somalia and all East African countries
2. To reduce and ultimately eliminate the impact of Piracy in Somali waters, and to protect and defend Somali maritime resources with the help of the international community
3. To have the effectiveness of ASWJ reconciliation through one unified approach
4. To build the capacity of ASWJ from grass roots to a national level
5. To transform ASWJ gradually into a political entity with majority support
6. To create good relationships between ASWJ and neighbouring countries
7. To establish and enhance collaborations between ASWJ and the international community
8. To provide an active role to the women of the ASWJ communities and Somali women in general
POLITICAL ACTIVIES:
The political agreement between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and ASWJ was reached in Addis Ababa and was called "preliminary". This was assisted and brokered by external actors – Ethiopia playing a critical role through its foreign minister, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS).
The protracted negotiations between the TFG of Somalia and the ASWJ came to a conclusion and the two sides signed a final agreement on March 13th 2010. The signing ceremony was held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.
On 16th March 2010 the EU High Representative/European Commission Vice-President Catherine Ashton welcomed the ‘Framework for Cooperation Agreement’ signed in Addis Ababa, between the TFG and the ASWJ.
Previously, the ASWJ had formed an umbrella organization of traditional Sufi clerics which held itself aloof from politics until around 2007 when it reacted to Al-Shabaab’s and Hizbul Islam’s assassinations of Sufi clerics, by becoming the front for local and regional clan militias, politicians, and TFG. Officials, who had been displaced by Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam. The alliances between clan leaders, politicians, and the ASWJ have worked to the great advantage of the Somali people by providing the leadership of various Somali factions opposed to Al Shabaab, their associates Hizbul Islam and external extremist support. ASWJ has also provided the various clan networks with a religious direction and a possible political platform as an alternative vehicle should the TFG collapse entirely. The ASWJ provide the domestic manpower and muscle to allow the possibility of political power, and the opportunity to implement its own version of democracy. The ASWJ also provide a point of contact and a platform with which the international community can cooperate and work with to build a better Somalia.
Contact:
Email: admin@aswj.org
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