Islamic Sharia to be enforced in Makadishu - Somalia

Hussein Ali Ahmad, ruler of the Somali capital, Makadishu, on Wednesday announced that the "joint" administration recently established in the city should abide by the Islamic Sharia (jurisprudence).

Ahmad said, "Islamic Sharia will be the law of the regional administration." He added that a "judicial committee" will set up and assign Islamic courts in the capital, where the police will disarm all civilians and private militias.

On August 3, leaders of the Somali factions in Makadishu -- Ali Mahdi Muhammad, Hussein Aideed and Muhammad Afrah -- agreed to form a joint authority in the capital.

Nevertheless, their strong rivals, foremost being Moussa Sudi Yalahu, Hussein Haji Poud and Muhammad Saeed Hersy, known as "Morgan", rejected this agreement and pledged to prevent the "joint administration" from having control over Makadishu by means of force.