Sheikh Omar Iman Abubakar was initially appointed as the group 's chairman .
Sheikh Omar Iman Abubakar is a high - ranking official of the Eritrea - based faction of the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia .
Sheikh Omar Iman Abubakar , a high - ranking official of the Eritrea - based faction of the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia , was initially appointed as the group 's chairman .