Mogadishu, Somalia
Somalia’s Council of Islamic Courts announced this week that it will execute five rapists by stoning. The decree reflects the new political power of the Islamists, who recently seized large swaths of the country, including the capital, from American-backed warlords. Last week, the Islamists selected a militant sheik, Hassan Dahir Aweys, as their new leader. Aweys, whom the U.S. has linked to al Qaida, called for an Islamic state in Somalia. But he also agreed to recognize and work with the country’s official secular government, which maintains little influence.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.