David Blair,a diplomatic editor of the Telegraph, published in November 2008 the "Analysis of a failed state". The article can be referred to under
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/somalia/3479010/Somalia-analysis-of-a-failed-state
In 1991, after President Mohammed Siad Barre was overthrown, Somalia's government collapsed and has not restored since then. Its long coastline of over 3000km is a major trade route between the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. With conflicts being out of control even off the countries coast today, it should be asked if Somalis is not only a failed state but a world-wide endangerment.
As stated in the article:' The fundamental cause of the conflict lies in Somalia's bitter clan rivalries.' Even if Somalis are mostly from the same tribe, sharing the same language and religion, they are divided in clans, sub-clans, and sub-sub clans, with a war lord for each of these, fighting for resources in the dried up country. After the US' army failed to restore order in 1992, and after Ethiopia captured Mogadishu in 2006 and created an international administration without any influence, makes other nations hesitate to send their own groups to regain peace.
In addition, radical Islamists have expanded to Somalia which are now controlling most of Somalia's south. Even if nations are waking up and trying to go against the birth of a radical Islamic state in East Africa, it became very difficult for the outside to intervene. In a country with no national police, army or effective government, an estimated 70% of died livestock, two million people in need of food aid, and a further 500,000 wandering the country searching for help, even external aid groups are not able to reach the country’s core, which makes it simply impossible to help Somalia- at least right now.
Beyond these problems, piracy is increasing as a result from the enduring war and to the benefits of the conflicting clans. Through the non-existing government, fisherman from abroad took advantage and overfished the Somalia coast which had a severe impacted on domestic fishers who had to utilize piracy. Certainly some of that money, which is the major income resource with $ 150 m last year alone, is used to fund the warlord’s future operations with more powerful weapons, bigger boats and more sophisticated equipment.
To conclude, reviewing these few examples of arising problems regarding Somalia, it is eligible to talk about a danger to the world not only about it being a failed state, which now also found a stable income resource if the trade route will not be avoided. The only way to stop the violence is to regain a proper national government which might seem to most of the world as an abortive attempt.
Hi Caro,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I really like that you commented on a topic like one about the current situation in an African country, Somalia.
It's so difficult to change something in countries like Somalia, where, as you described the power over most of the people rests in the hands of corrupt serious War-lords (leader of clans and tribes) and islamic (muslim)terrorists.
I agree with you on the point that fighting the violence and piracy is only to be done by a stable national government.
However, I think the UN have to intervene helping the locals on the way achieving the goal installing a stable government again.
Since nobody has a real interest in stability in Somalia, pirats rule at the sea and war-lords the country.
In my opinion if the world would show more interest in Somalian stability, it would be an step further to showing more respect and interest in problems concerning whole Africa.
Sebastian
Hi Caroline,
ReplyDeleteI agree that "world would show more interest in Somalia".
USA already did trying to overthrow the more stable government in Somalia few years ago. They help the not Muslim parties of Somalia and tribes, by Ethiopia, to start the war where they are now. USA prefers a country without government and not democracy than a Muslim party governing Somalia.
Few weeks ago, Spanish fishermen were released by the pirates. The government paid around 3 millions of Euros. What can we tell to the population of Somalia if we go near their littoral and in some many cases the boats do disasters regarding the environment? What can we do if USA still helping the war to overthrow the Muslim party from the power?
The pirates share out the pay of the ransom by a lot of people in Somalia and they are living by this activity.
I agree with Sebastian. I hope UN will do something because the richest countries are exploiting all Africa and not only in this case.
Regards,
Carlos
Hey Carolin.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think its fair for the Somali people to brand there country as a fail state. Surly they have issues. But its important to understand how these problems came to be.
To many foreign powers have tried to install regimes in those kind off countries, this adds to the mistrust that lives in the hearts and minds of the people there towards ‘their’ governments. As far as it goes for Somalia The latest attempt of the US is that of supporting warlords, because they don’t want a Islamic government in charge. Well it a Muslims country I think the people should have the right to decide what they want for a government. But like always the USA decides for them and keeps installing or/and supporting dictators., in this case warlords.
I would like to add that the only place were relative peace is, is the place where the Islamists rule.
As far as the piracy goes, I think if countries would install a defence team in each of its freighters. Ill bet the pirates will think twice before attacking a ship that can shoot back.