Somalia: Hizbul Islam Splinter Group Forms New Political Party
Former members of Hizbul Islam, which split from al-Shabaab in 2012, have formed a new political party called Istiqlaal, Somalia's Calanka24 reported Monday (June 23rd).
Sheikh Mohamed Moalim, former foreign affairs secretary for Hizbul Islam and now the chairman of Istiqlaal, said his party would pursue non-violent engagement in Somali politics. He said the party would engage in peaceful negotiations with the Somali government.
Hizbul Islam has been inactive since it split from al-Shabaab and formally renounced violence in 2013.
Hizbul Islam's founder Hassan Dahir Aweys, who fled from al-Shabaab and surrendered to the government after he formally renounced the militant group, has been under house arrest since June 2013.
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