• 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)

• 1. Position: Leader of Somali oppositionMSNBC: Islamist Takes over Somali Opposition (July 23, 2008)
  2. Aweys a strict Islamic fundamentalistMSNBC: Islamist Takes over Somali Opposition (July 23, 2008)
  3. Aweys elected leader by over 100 of 191 members of opposition's central committee in July, 2008MSNBC: Islamist Takes over Somali Opposition (July 23, 2008)
  4. Military wing of opposition: al-ShababMSNBC: Islamist Takes over Somali Opposition (July 23, 2008)
  5. Opposition currently based in EritreaMSNBC: Islamist Takes over Somali Opposition (July 23, 2008)
  6. Ethiopia ousted Islamic government in Mogadishu in 2006MSNBC: Islamist Takes over Somali Opposition (July 23, 2008)

• Somalia's History

  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)

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