Another effort is being made to bring peace to Somalia. For 18 years the east African country has been in the grip of civil war, making it the ultimate in failed states. Millions of Somalis now live abroad, and those still at home face violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
This week members of the UN Security Council were in neighbouring Djibouti to encourage direct talks between Somalia’s transitional federal government and the Islamist opposition. But good will is strained by the presence in Somalia of Ethiopian troops who are backing the government.
Tomorrow, Newshour will be taking a look at whether the time has come for the international community to take a more activist approach towards Somalia.
Some Somali commentators are suggesting that a UN protectorate may be necessary – as a unique solution to a unique problem. Does Somalia need more outside help? OR would the cure be worse than the disease?
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hi…now that obama has the ticket…pls let us read the following writing i did, i would expect your reactions. thanks.
A Likely Resident?
The beautiful block is some three buildings away from George Washington University. It was christened the White House. But what’s really in a name? Couldn’t they say State House supposing that Black House was no option? Does the epither “White” predicating the word “House” foreclose black leadership? Does the colouration of the house indicate that American presidency is not open to all Americans – black, coloured and white? Was America designed for black leadership? Would blacks ever find a place in their White House? Is white just the colour of the house or of a deep racial connotation? Was Malcolm X right when he said in his speech, The Ballot or the Bullet, that blacks were the problem of a white America because they simply didn’t want them to live and flourish in their land? …in their land!
Centuries gone, America emerged a hovering power ‘protecting’ both willing and unwilling children, women and men, together with their livestock. From Lithuania through the cardinal walls of the earth the US tries to preach or foist freedom, human rights and an ambiguous democracy on peoples and regions. America ‘s beautiful democracy! But why’s the world asking: will the smack of racism make America’s democracy janus-faced i.e. one black, the other white…one that smiles at whites and another that frowns and jeers at blacks?
Inside America ‘s White House, is an Obama or the black man a likely resident? Will his call for change or his book, The Audacity of Hope, brighten his chances? Will they recognize and respect his American citizenship as equal to that of any American, black or white or will they call him that Kenyan boy? Will he ever get to sit in their Oval Office or emerge only in the bold class of Shirley Chisholm and Jesse Jackson that contested at the Democratic Presidential Primaries in 1972 and 1984 respectively? Would his present fight eventually end up as another article of intellectual and political history?
Well! Barack Hussein Obama, I wish you what I once wished Pat Utomi and all other progressives wherever they live.
Obinna Allen, lagos, nigeria
“Tomorrow, Newshour will be taking a look at whether the time has come for the international community to take a more activist approach towards Somalia.”
I wish the media would stop using phrases like ‘the international community’ when what is in fact meant are a few Western states. It’s perfectly well understood that only a few governments can ever be persuaded to commit military and financial resources to aiding Somalia, and to apply those resources honestly and competently. I don’t think that countries like Britain, Holland, Canada, France, Australia and the Scandinavian nations have any legitimate interest that would justify intervention in Somalia. The US appears – for once – to have actually taken on board the lessons of experience and will presumably continue to have the sense not to get itself burned a second time in Somalia.
Who has a proper interest in getting involved in Somalia? Well, Somalia is an African state, it’s a member of the Arab League (no, I can’t figure that one out either), and it’s a Muslim country. Africa, the Arab states, and the Muslim world are the members of ‘the international community’ who should be doing what they can to help Somalia. If they don’t care enough about what happens to that country to take action then why should any Western state, given that they all lack a meaningful connection to Somalia?
“Some Somali commentators are suggesting that a UN protectorate may be necessary…”. Let’s be honest. The states and peoples of the African, Arab and Muslim worlds aren’t going to lift a finger in support of humanitarian intervention in Somalia. It is not part of their tradition to inconvenience themselves merely for the sake of doing the right thing and helping others. The truth of the matter is that there are several states across the world whose people are, presently, incapable of governing themselves with a modicum of competence. Ideally they would be returned to colonial status. But since pride makes that impossible serious consideration should be given to re-introducing the old League of Nations mandate system. That may not work, but it surely can’t be much worse than what we have in Somalia.
WHYS needs to address the Darfur issue following the recent UN report.
A Likely Resident?
The beautiful block is some three buildings away from George Washington University. It was christened the White House. But what’s really in a name? Couldn’t they say State House supposing that Black House was no option? Does the epither “White” predicating the word “House” foreclose black leadership? Does the colouration of the house indicate that American presidency is not open to all Americans – black, coloured and white? Was America designed for black leadership? Would blacks ever find a place in their White House? Is white just the colour of the house or of a deep racial connotation? Was Malcolm X right when he said in his speech, The Ballot or the Bullet, that blacks were the problem of a white America because they simply didn’t want them to live and flourish in their land? …in their land!
Centuries gone, America emerged a hovering power ‘protecting’ both willing and unwilling children, women and men, together with their livestock. From Lithuania through the cardinal walls of the earth the US tries to preach or foist freedom, human rights and an ambiguous democracy on peoples and regions. America ‘s beautiful democracy! But why’s the world asking: will the smack of racism make America’s democracy janus-faced i.e. one black, the other white…one that smiles at whites and another that frowns and jeers at blacks?
Inside America ‘s White House, is an Obama or the black man a likely resident? Will his call for change or his book, The Audacity of Hope, brighten his chances? Will they recognize and respect his American citizenship as equal to that of any American, black or white or will they call him that Kenyan boy? Will he ever get to sit in their Oval Office or emerge only in the bold class of Shirley Chisholm and Jesse Jackson that contested at the Democratic Presidential Primaries in 1972 and 1984 respectively? Would his present fight eventually end up as another article of intellectual and political history?
Well! Barack Hussein Obama, I wish you what I once wished Pat Utomi and all other progressives wherever they live.
Obinna Allen……..
Somalia is a country that that has been plundered by its own people. Its thought to be a country dominated
by muslims, not friendly to Isreal and other non Muslim
countries.
The Un and other peace keeping forces are found there
and yet the country is facing continuous tamoil.
The Question is- what is the peace keepin budget? Expenditure? and why should the Un go back and yet they
channel the same funds.
Its hi time people living as referegees transform their country!
i think that the united nations should tried harder this time in somalia.
dennis
o.c.c.
syracuse, new york
united states of america
Declaration as failed state to who by whome create doubts for pass state. Why not first we decide the authority & responsibility:-
AUTHORITY to declare as failed state sound liake a joke to me as UN itself is failed Organisation.
RESPONSIBILITY to maintain peace by UN like Phalistine & Kashmire.
Why UN is a failed Organisation because of Secirity Counsil & Veto power.
Infact Somilia kind of crises arises from diversity, may be resolved in Democratic way instead of monitering by an failed organisation.
According to our experience UN involvement in political crises ended up in human desaster like Phalistine & Kashmir now these political crises turn in to human tragedy,
Please keep UN away along with failed Security Counsil, let African Union handle it the way they want.
Please save the lable of failed state for Bin Ladin Hunters & UN Security Counsil, sooner or later Isriel & India might claim this lable too as histry of crimes against huminity is available for entitlement & justification.
I am Somalian born man who lives outside now, I have seen money empty promises from the UN, US, African Unions, and now Ethiopians, all saying they have the solution solutions for Somalia. Year after year their suggestions fail miserably. The closest time for Somalians to live peace was when Islamic courts rule the country, those six months the world and people who live there all have seen what when tribalism goes away Somalians can live in peace together.
The only solution for Somalia to be whole again is for Ethiopian troops to stop the killing of innocent Somalians and leave our country, and if “international community” (if there is such thing) wanted to help they should respect the wishes of the people they are trying to help not impose their ideology or what they might think Islam is.
All and all I think Somalians will deal with their problems if outside forces stop the bad influences.
Somalia in Africa is part of the continent. It shouldn’t be abandoned. A Liberian proverb says: “There is no bush to throw away a bad child.” Let the UN fully get involve to bring release to that suffering nation. With the full and active involvement of the UN, Somalia can be calmed. Compare Liberia of the 90s and Liberia today. The same country, the same soil, the same people but with changed minds. The same can happen to Somalia.
how can internationanal cmmunity expect somalia to return to normal when it fails see is those neighbour countries who are constant breach of arms embargo emposed by the so called UN. it clearly that the somali people has no freind in this palnet.
To Victork,
First of all, Somalia is part of the Arab League due to the fact the vast majority of Somalis have Arabic heritage and secondly the vast majority of Somalis are historically, culturally, linguistically, religiously and even economically are more closer to GCC Arab states and Yemen then compared to African states like Nigeria or Angola.
The UN must get involved, put pressure and remove the illegal Ethiopian occupation in Somalia. Somali people are capable in establishing peace and stability, just look at north western region of Somaliland which has a democratically elected government, opposition political parties, civil society, free press etc.
Even in southern Somalia had experienced peace when in 2006 the Islamic Courts defeated warlords and had brought peace. If the UN is genuinely keen in bringing peace in Somalia they must take action against continuous Ethiopian interference in Somalia and the crimes being committed by Tigray Ethiopians in Somalia.
First, the African Union should take a more firm stance. Sometimes the UN is more destructive and its presence is detramental. Have a clear goal and guideline.
I firmly believe much of the blame for Somalia lies in the hands of failed strategy by the bush administration.
Shirley asked whether I thought the unjustified invasion of Iraq invoked special circumstances in other theaters; her opinion was clearly rhetorical and I agree.
Here’s the crux of it: So if it was all a political maneuver than Bush should have tried negotiation first; official policy should not have been to include Libya, or Somalia, in his warpath but rather only al quaeda.
What happened when Bush failed to negotiate after bombing innocent civilians and losing Uzbekistan’s air base caused such a backlash of negativity that he backed out of trying to negotiate with African countries and insted started labeling them as Nuke manufacturers, whether it was true or not is beside the point. Al quaeda was in no way going to Africa for a nuke, quite the opposite, they were hiding there, and instead of working with Libya and Somalia Bush chose to ignore them so he wouldn’t cause another firestorm over the civilians that are being killed right now in Somalia on secret bombing raids. Nobody cares about poor Somalia- it’s a travesty not solely of there own making, the entire world is on the hook for Somalia.
“First of all, Somalia is part of the Arab League due to the fact the vast majority of Somalis have Arabic heritage and secondly the vast majority of Somalis are historically, culturally, linguistically, religiously and even economically are more closer to GCC Arab states and Yemen then compared to African states like Nigeria or Angola”
Then let them deal with it. I do not understand why people always want the West to get involved and then flip out when we do. Either we are not doing enough or we are doing too much, yet no one else seems to be doing anything…
UN should have kept itself in a nonstop involvement with Somalia. If it were like that such a tragedy would most probably never happen in Somalia.
Let Somalians be happy and blessed!
Ethiopia is the problem and has always been the problem in Somalia
The United states has commited mass injustice against the somali people by supporting, financing and arming ethiopia to invade somalia
Somalia did have peace in 2006 under the islamic goverment by the US has stolen the peace of the somali people by encouraging the evil ethiopian leader to invade and occupy somalia
Ethiopia must leave somalia Now!
We somalis just want our rights
Somalia is ‘somebody else’s problem.’ If the US has any involvement in Somalia short of blowing it’s pirates out of the water it needs to withdraw it now; yesterday would be preferable. I don’t know who the Somali’s would regard as an adequate impartial judge and mediator but they should start the search now.
In the meantime, carry on with the violence. We have worse weekends in Las Angeles. Heck, we have worse car crashes.
We talk about United Nations to do the needful in Somalia, not United States because for the former its it’s authoritative duty.
Fine let the UN handle it then – with absolutely zero US assistance in funding or man power. I remember what happened to our troops last time – you guys have fun on your own.
After reviwing the comments over all it sound like few observer’s are victom of US media & wrong economic perspective, the fact is this oil producing countries have an ability to buy out US economy, according to a lay man from the cave of Afghan mounttain’s US economy is without pillers. This is how Jewish control US policies.
Somilia problem start from European Industrialisation, all Africa is facing water crises, infact these crises started from Ethopia & migration start to Somalia as Somilia got couple of rivers.
The starting & ending point of these crises is survival & burden of support suppose to go on Europe, to run away from responsibility Europe is exposing this as a political issue & human desaster.
No doubt Somilia got a good size of Alquida motivated lobby, this is why Jewish lobbiest’s have little intrest to crush Somilia through US army, unfortunately USA decided not to involve in Somilia issue (after experiencing Afghanistan, Iraq, economic & oil crises). I think US authorities are trying to be independant in this regard, which is real good as influence of Jewish & EU damage a lot to US reputation world wide. A STRANGER IS LOT BETTER THEN A APPORTUNIST FRIEND. May God bless USA.
I think that the “international community”should literally draw a line in the sand and help Britains former colony of Somaliland(Puntland) develop .
Once there is relatively stable base in the north the rest of Somalia(former Italian colony)can be helped ,maybe the OAU could coordinate from northern Kenya simultaneously.
Jan
June 6, 2008 at 11:26 pm
“First, the African Union should take a more firm stance. Sometimes the UN is more destructive and its presence is detramental. Have a clear goal and guideline”.
Jan, this is quite true.
Zak
June 6, 2008 at 11:50 pm
“I firmly believe much of the blame for Somalia lies in the hands of failed strategy by the bush administration.
Shirley asked whether I thought the unjustified invasion of Iraq invoked special circumstances in other theaters; her opinion was clearly rhetorical and I agree.
Here’s the crux of it: So if it was all a political maneuver than Bush should have tried negotiation first; official policy should not have been to include Libya, or Somalia, in his warpath but rather only al quaeda.
What happened when Bush failed to negotiate after bombing innocent civilians and losing Uzbekistan’s air base caused such a backlash of negativity that he backed out of trying to negotiate with African countries and insted started labeling them as Nuke manufacturers, whether it was true or not is beside the point. Al quaeda was in no way going to Africa for a nuke, quite the opposite, they were hiding there, and instead of working with Libya and Somalia Bush chose to ignore them so he wouldn’t cause another firestorm over the civilians that are being killed right now in Somalia on secret bombing raids. Nobody cares about poor Somalia- it’s a travesty not solely of there own making, the entire world is on the hook for Somalia”.
Good on you Zac.
Yes people should start seing stars for stars but not for the moon!!
Very interesting take David, your last sentence was many times more eloquent than my entire piece there but the point stands.
Vijay Srao
You must be applying division of Kashmir strategy, which is a declared failour of Corrupt India even 800,000 Indian Army is unable to control freedom fighter’s of Kashmir.
Now this division & occupation presanting a clear picture of worst human tragedy.
Infact India is heavely populated country even without Kashmir its an human desaster if we include Kashmir obiously it turn into human traged because of unhuman & unlawfull behaviour of Indian Army.
Please dont apply a fail strategy over Somilia.