Somalia: A Failed State

Somalia is considered by some to be a failed state. It is considered a failed state for good reason; the list is lengthy. Somalia has not had a stable or even functioning government since 1992. The UN backed transitional government has never been able to get a foothold into the country. Pirates still command the longest coast in the world keeping at bay much needed food and medical supplies from entering the country. And because of the weakened government, Somalia has become prey to numerous militant and rogue governments fighting for ultimate control.

Westernization Or Scare Tactics?

A growing problem I am realizing is what terminology to use while blogging. Especially terms that describe a person or group of people. The integrity of my blog is based on using correct information no matter what my personal view is of the situation. While reporting on Somalia I keep running into words like insurgents, militants, and pirates. I was researching, I found that there is a story behind everything and they are stories that make you think twice about the terms we use to describe people.

Somalia Says ‘No’ To The World Food Program

The beginnings of a battle between Somalia militants and the World Food Program (WFP) seems to be underway. Its actually a story we’ve heard before. The WFP desperately trying to reach those in central and southern Somalia who are near starvation and militants blocking their way is a headline we’ve seen before.

Islamist militants have once again stopped convoys of food headed to some 360,000 displaced people in Afgoye, just west of the capital, Mogadishu. This particular camp houses the largest concentration of refugees in Somalia.

WFP Forced Out Of Somalia

The United Nation’s World Food Program (WFP) has suspended a portion of its operations today in Somalia due to threats from the Islamist rebel group al-Shabab.

According to the BBC, the al-Shabab militant group has repeatedly threatened the WFP. Al-Shabab accuses the WFP of ruining local farming by forcing Somalis to rely on imports. However the WFP reports that local farmers can only produce enough food to feed about 30-40% of their country.

U.S. Responsible for Helicopter Raid

Wait a minute, this sounds familiar.  Oh yea! Yesterday it was thought France was responsible for the deadly attack in Somalia.  However, since the raid was a “success” and a top militant was perhaps killed, the United States now admits involvement.

Of course, this is just my theory, however it follows the pattern of our foreign policy tactics.  Why the end run?  The question of anyone being in Somalia just because there are cultural groups there we don’t like is of importance.

The al-Shabab seemingly operate in the country of Somalia.  They formed in 2004 because the Islamic Courts Union (ICU)was lost at the hands of its’ rival the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) during the Somali Civil War.  The ICU is a group of Sharia Courts and their rival administration group was the TFG which is backed by the United Nations.

It is known that the TFG does not equally or rarely represent the peoples of Somalia – hence the al-Shabab.  I realize it’s not that cut and dry but because a group of people arm themselves, the U.S. makes them a terrorist group.  Doesn’t our country give us the right to bear arms?  Does that make us terrorists?  I have a feeling many would agree.

Somalia’s Security Minister Killed

More than 10 people are dead north of Mogadishu including Somalia’s Security Minister Omar Hashi Aden according to reports by the BBC.  A suicide car bomb in front of Medina Hotel is also to have killed several diplomats staying there as well.  Al-Shabaab(Somalia Islamist group) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Al-Shabaab militant group has been trying for 3 years to topple the UN backed Somali government.  One of their objectives is to implement the rule of sharia which is the body of Islamic religious law.