In Somalia, the government has appointed former Spokesman and Deputy Leader of the al-Shabab Islamist Group Mukhtar Robow Ali as Religious Affairs Minister. The appointment comes months after Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected Somalia's President by lawmakers in May. <br />''<br />''According to media reports, Mohamud signaled willingness to negotiate with al-Shabab, saying that more than a military approach will be required to end the insurgency. The former al-Shabab militant had spent the last four years under house arrest after he fell out with ex-President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed.<br />''<br />''Abdullahi Mohamed's Government accused Robow of organizing a militia in the southwestern Somali city of Baidoa. He was also accused of attempting to undermine stability in the country.<br />''<br />''Al-Shabab has waged an insurrection against Somalia's central government for 15 years.<br />