Hassan Dahir Aweys

Hardline Muslim fundamentalist Hassan Dahir Aweys took over control of the Somalian opposition in late July 2008. Aweys was reportedly elected by the opposition's central committee to replace former leader Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed. Ahmed agreed to a peace deal with the weak Ethiopian-backed Somali government in June 2008, a move which angered many of his followers.MSNBC: Islamist Takes over Somali Opposition (July 23, 2008)

Somalia has been without a central government since 1991. Since that time, warlords have battled for control of the country and specifically the capital, Mogadishu. In 2006, forces from Ethiopia deposed a six-month-old Islamic government in Mogadishu which had both Ahmed and Aweys as top leaders.MSNBC: Islamist Takes over Somali Opposition (July 23, 2008)