SUMMARY
Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca (Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a, Ahlu Sunna wal Jama’a, “Adherents to the Sunnah and Congregation”, ASWJ) was formed as an off-shoot from political Islamist group Majma’ ‘Ulimadda Islaamka ee Soomaaliya in 1991.
Majma’ was made up of traditional Sufi leaders in Somalia, who sought to oppose what they considered to be “reformist Islamist groups”. When military leader General Mohamed Farah Aideed in 1991 sought to align himself and his forces with Majma’ – seeking to assuage increasing pressure from more radical Islamist group Al-Ittihad Al-Islami (AIAI) – the group split between those who opposed the overture and those who responded positively to it. The latter faction came to form ASWJ. While the group early on enjoyed some public support, their influence gradually declined.
Despite its early formation, ASWJ did not emerge as a militarily significant actor until mid-2008, when it took up arms against Islamist opposition group Al-Shabaab. ASWJ claimed to represent a ‘traditionalist’ interpretation of Islam, and to provide leadership for Sufi communities in Somalia. The group is opposed to the extremism of Al-Shabaab and seeks to defend traditional Sufi practices.
Primarily, reliable sources have argued, the group is a clan alliance, bringing together mainly sub-clans within the Hawiye clan based in the central Galgudud and Hiiraan regions. AWSJ militias have also operated in Gedo and Middle Shabelle region. Experts have claimed that ASWJ members, beyond ideology, have also been motivated by territorial and clan-related aims.
ASWJ is thought to be made up of around 2000 fighters, grouped in autonomous units throughout central Somalia. The group is said to lack strong leadership, but it is likely that the group’s leader in Somalia’s central regions, Sheikh Omar Mohammed Farah, is ASWJ’s de facto leader.
Since militarily engaging Al-Shabaab, ASWJ has received logistical and military support from neighbouring country Ethiopia. In late 2009, that support was reported to be extended to include training for ASWJ combatants on Ethiopian territory. More than any other pro-Transitional Federal Government (TFG) actor, ASWJ has succeeded in challenging Al-Shabaab considerably, in the regions where they are active.
Various efforts have been made to increase collaboration between ASWJ and the TFG. On 15 March 2010 the group joined into a power-sharing agreement with the TFG, to together fight the main insurgent actor Al-Shabaab. The agreement grants ASWJ ministerial seats and other key positions in the TFG administration. However, some parts of ASWJ have not recognised the deal, indicating the possibility of group fragmentations.
Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca (ASWJ) has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.
