Somalia’s parliament has unanimously approved the application of Islamic law or Sharia in the country. This decision is but an endorsement of a resolution made more than a month ago by the cabinet, as well as a logical result of the election in late January of an Islamist as President of Somalia, Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed.

This does not come as a surprise in a country that has been operating without law and whose population bears a big percentage of those who profess the Islamic faith. 99 percent of the people are said to have been wanting to implement the Sharia.

Some see the new development as a positive step because of the serious situation of anarchy and lawlessness in Somalia since 1991. Some say that it is a giant step for Somalia to have a government that has legitimacy and territorial control necessary to implement an effective legal system.

The rejection of the Ethiopian invasion has been the key driver to achieve a certain unity among Somalis, a much-needed development for a long time. The decision to implement the Sharia is a step closer to those left out of the unity fervor.

The general implementation of the Sharia may just be what is needed to stem the spate of piracy in the Somali coast. A certain level of law and order will certainly help to ensure the peaceful transit of vessels and oil tankers through the Gulf of Aden.

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Via CNN