20110404 - Interim President sworn in, but some critics say move is not recognized and is a breach of law

After seven days of deliberations, Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government, members of parliament, civil society groups and clan elders agreed to the formation of a semi-autonomous state to be called Azaaniya.

Originally known as Jubaland, Azaaniya comprises lower and middle Juba and Gedo regions on the Kenya-Somalia border. And yesterday Prof Muhammed Gandhi was sworn in as the interim president of the newly created state.
He said they agreed on a plan that would see their people enjoy peace again. It has been over 20 years of death and tears. They determined to restore nationhood and unity in Somalia.

International community

The move is said to be supported by the international community, including the African Union and igad members, and backed by the Kenyan Government in the hope it would help crush the dreaded Al-Shabaab insurgents. Although the Kenyan Government did not send a representative to the event, there was obvious presence of Kenyan security personnel at the venue of the meeting, indicating it supported the formation of the new state along its border.

Immediately Gandhi was elected the president unopposed last Wednesday, Kenyan security personnel were deployed to guard him. Yesterday, tens of plain clothe security officers thoroughly screened all delegates before they could enter the venue of inauguration.

The state will act as a buffer zone to help keep al-Shabaab militia away from Kenya. Last week, al-Shabaab militia attacked a police station at Liboi town.

Jubaland Initiative Coordinator Prof Muhammad said the group would go to the ground to seek legitimacy from the people and denied they have broken away from the main government. He said just like Puntland and Somaliland, Azaaniya supports Sheikh Shariff Ahmed’s government.

But a swift censure greeted the creation of the new autonomous state. Maslah Mohamed, son of former Somali president Mohammed Siad Barre, dismissed the move terming it a serious breach of international law and unrecognized by the Somali people. Mohammed said “Prof Gandhi neither has the support of the people of the region nor Somalia.”