Mike Pouraryan
Somalia: Is there any hope?
There has been a Transitional Federal Government in Somalia for quite some time. This is a Government that is a Government in name only. They only control a few section of the capital, Mogadishu supported by the U.S. and the African Union. In the meantime, the AL Shahab is wrecking havoc on the rest of the country and the pirates continue to do their thing and make quite a living at it.
I see no hope for Somalia, right now. I base this hopelessness on the story I read in the Monday New York Times detailing the trials of two Somali Boys who are serving as soldiers in the so-called Army that has been fielded by the so-called Government. One of them was 12. Another one was 15.
The story in the Times was sickening. The fact that the United States is underwriting this atrocity is beyond words. The U.S. Government claims that they are not aware. But, this so-called Government in Somalia is being boosted by the U.S., with U.S. money. So, this notion of them not knowing is frankly ridiculus and without merit.
I have to wonder what a solution is. If the Africans divide up Somalia along ethic and tribal lines, then Kenya, Nigeria and every other artifical state created during the colonial period will be brought into question. As it stands, Kenya continues to have challenges. Nigeria went through ethnic strife. Sudan continues to have a bloody civil war in Darfur and is about to be split within the next two years.
As the problem child of Africa, a solution has to be found. The problem is that Africa is yet to grow up. I use Mo Abrahim's Price as a yard stick. He did not award his prize for leadership, yet again. African leaders need to stand up and take notice.
I see no hope for Somalia, right now. I base this hopelessness on the story I read in the Monday New York Times detailing the trials of two Somali Boys who are serving as soldiers in the so-called Army that has been fielded by the so-called Government. One of them was 12. Another one was 15.
The story in the Times was sickening. The fact that the United States is underwriting this atrocity is beyond words. The U.S. Government claims that they are not aware. But, this so-called Government in Somalia is being boosted by the U.S., with U.S. money. So, this notion of them not knowing is frankly ridiculus and without merit.
I have to wonder what a solution is. If the Africans divide up Somalia along ethic and tribal lines, then Kenya, Nigeria and every other artifical state created during the colonial period will be brought into question. As it stands, Kenya continues to have challenges. Nigeria went through ethnic strife. Sudan continues to have a bloody civil war in Darfur and is about to be split within the next two years.
As the problem child of Africa, a solution has to be found. The problem is that Africa is yet to grow up. I use Mo Abrahim's Price as a yard stick. He did not award his prize for leadership, yet again. African leaders need to stand up and take notice.
