Mogadishu Radio HornAfrik (in Somali)

[Announcer] Somali Islamist leader, Shaykh Sharif Shaykh Ahmed, has urged the Somali people to prepare for a long fight against the Ethiopian troops.

He said his forces had opted to change military tactics so that the fighting continues for long. “God willing,” added the Islamist leader, “we will destroy Ethiopia”.

Speaking during a press conference in Mogadishu, Shaykh Ahmad said that it was “unfortunate” and “amazing” the West was approving attacks on the Union of Islamic Courts, which had restored peace to Somalia.

_{(Following is the text of Sharif Ahmed’s address recorded by Somali Capital Voice radio and broadcast by Somali Radio HornAfrik — HornAfrik Radio carried out daily relays of Capital Voice)}

Today’s news conference concerns the interference and invasion of Somalia by the Meles Zenawi government, updates on the situation, and what is right for the Somali people.

First, as you know, there is no government in Ethiopia that has not attacked Somalia. Meles Zenawi’s government, the one before that of Mengistu Hailemariam, the one of [words indistinct]. When each of these came to power their mission was to capture Somalia.

Therefore this is the same history.

We have never thought that Meles Zenawi would attack Somalia because he once came here while fleeing from injustice. He received support from here to the extent of capturing Ethiopia. He managed to take over Ethiopia due to the efforts and hard work of the Somali people. He came out with his real agenda that he had left behind before his flight to Somalia. He did not observe good neighborliness or solution to our problems.

As you are aware, the weapons that have been entering this country in the past 16 years were coming from Ethiopia.

The aim of sending these weapons was to create unrest in the country before forcefully invading this country with the pretext of restoring peace to the country.

However, with God’s grace, the Somali people organized themselves, created courts for the return of peace, overcame hostilities and divisions, and united.

Consequently Meles’ plans aborted. He immediately said that there was a new Taliban in Somalia, which was threatening its [Ethiopia] security and that they were determined to fight it.

Have the Somali people embraced a new religion now?

Weren’t they Muslims before?

Who have they harmed with their religion?

No one. The Somali people have always been Muslims and like to be governed by their religion.

Today they have got the opportunity to solve their problems. It is, however, unfortunate that they are being attacked for this and with the approval of many Western countries.

What is going to happen is that the attacks will continue for long and the fighting will go on for a long time.

The fighting has now entered a new phase.

As you are aware, tanks and planes belonging to Meles Zenawi have been taking part in the fighting of the last few days. Before that the [Ethiopian] army was already involved and now the air force and heavy weapons are being used due to the strong resistance by the Somali people.

Due to this, we have now entered a new phase of resistance.

Since we do not possess heavy weapons, we have decided to change our military tactics and war plan for the fighting to continue for a very long time and, God willing, that will destroy Ethiopia.

Some things are amazing, like the international community being quiet about someone in Addis Ababa saying that he is being threatened and he has to attack Mogadishu. That is very unfortunate.

It is unfortunate to attack the Mogadishu airport and seaport. What that means is that, they were closed because of them [Ethiopia] since those who used to be in charge [Somali warlords] were their representatives. Now that their representatives have been removed, they [Ethiopians] have come personally.

However, with God’s grace, the airport will remain open, the seaport will stay open since there is nothing much that happened [during the air strikes on the city]. We have also prepared our defences.

Recently, he said that they held talks with the courts and that these talks failed. The courts have always made efforts to make Meles Zenawi wake up at the fact that this country is for Somalis.

[Break in transmission]