Somaliweyn.com report

Shaykh Abdirahim Ali Mudey, an information official of the Council of the Islamic Courts, has said the executive committee of the Islamic Courts has decided to ban export of charcoal and the country’s wild animals. He made the announcement at a press conference he held at the Islamic Courts headquarters today.

The official said the deforestation of the country for the past 16 years had lead the Somali people living in the country’s regions to suffer drought and various problems. He therefore advised Somali businesspeople and individuals involved in the activity to cease the practice, saying anyone found committing the crime would be dealt with the law.

Shaykh Abdirahim Ali Mudey also warned against the deployment of [foreign peacekeeping] troops in Somalia, severely criticizing the governments of Kenya and Ethiopia [over the planned deployment]. He called on the former soldiers of the [defunct] Somali Armed Forces and the Somali people to prepare to defend the country and religion.

Meanwhile, Shaykh Abdirahim has said there is no such thing as 4.5 power-sharing formula among clans, terming the method illegal. He said people are equal and Somalis belong to five clans. He said the federal political system being implemented would lead to the fragmentation of the country.

Many people have welcomed the decision of the Islamic Courts regarding the environmental degradation, and it has come a day after a large ship left Ceel Macaan natural port carrying a shipment of charcoal. The harbor lies just outside the city.