Churchill Okonkwo

To understand of current struggle for the heart of Somali, the checkered political history of this Arabic country known as the Land of Punt by ancient Egyptians has to be put into perspective. Somalia was formed by a merger of two former colonial territories: British Somaliland, in the north, and its larger and more populous neighbor, Italian Somaliland. Italy agreed to grant independence on 1 July 1960 to its trust territory while the United Kingdom (UK) gave its protectorate independence on 26 June 1960, thus enabling the two Somali territories to join in a united Somali Republic on 1 July 1960. On 20 July 1961, the Somali people ratified a new constitution, drafted in 1960, and one month later confirmed Aden 'Abdullah Osman Daar as the nation's first president.

Troubled political past.

The history of Somalia politics has however seen tumultuous years of clan wars, party defections, collusions, betrayals and collaborations that nerver worked out. On 15 October 1969 Abdirashid 'Ali Shermarke, who was elected president in 1967, was assassinated. The military leaders dissolved parliament, suspended the constitution, arrested members of the cabinet, and changed the name of the country to the Somali Democratic Republic. Major General Jalle Mohamed Siad Barre, was later named president by the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC). Siad Barre proclaimed the Marxist ideology "scientific socialism" which stressed hard work and public service and was regarded by the SRC as fully compatible with Islam. A number of industries and large firms, especially foreign banks and oil companies, were nationalized.

Somalia has been in almost constant civil conflict since the collapse of Mohamed Siad Barre's regime in January 1991. In the trouble that ensured, several hundred thousand people died. Far more were threatened by starvation. Over a half-million fled to Kenya. Contagious disease spread through refugee camps inside the country. The starvation and total breakdown of public services was publicized in the western media. Calls for the United Nations to intervene mounted. Yet, the food relief that was sent was stolen by soldiers and armed looters. Private relief efforts were frustrated and subject to extortion. Late on 3 December 1992, the UN Security Council passed a resolution to deploy a massive US-led international military intervention (UNITAF-United Task Force) to safeguard relief operations.

Total Breakdown of law and order

By early 1993, over 34,000 troops from 24 UN members— 75% from the U.S—were deployed. Starvation was virtually ended, a modicum of order was restored, and hope had returned. Yet, little was done to achieve a political solution or to disarm the factions. After the dead body of U.S soldier was dragged through the streets of Mogadish by crowds of local civilians and SNA forces of the U.S was pressured to withdraw from Somalia.

U.S. President Bill Clinton directed the acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral David E. Jeremiah, to stop all actions by U.S. forces against Aidid except those required in self-defense. The United States completed its withdrawal of troops in March 1995, after which Mogadishu again disintegrated into chaos.

The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Republic of Somalia was finally set up in 2004 and is the present internationally recognized government. It is the most recent attempt to restore national institutions to Somalia after the 1991 downfall of Siad Barre and the following Somali Civil War. The country has been run for more than a decade by tribal factions and warlords.

Economic forces driving the conflict

Economic interests, too, have had an ambiguous relationship with conflict in Somalia. In

some places, war economies have emerged that perpetuate violence and lawlessness, while in other instances business interests have been a driving force for peace, stability, and rule of law.

The seas of Somalia have some of the highest rate of piracy in the world due to the absence of central government in about 17 years. With as many as 200 mariners currently held captive inside the country, and ransoms reaching millions of dollars, piracy has become big business in Somalia. The warlords, particularly of the northern region of Puntland are in power and have been for some time. They are equipped with speed boats, ships, machine guns, rocket launchers, and satellite communications.

The entire Somali coastline is now under control of the Islamists some of whom have turned pirates. The money they make from piracy and ransoms goes to support al-Shabaab which the United States said is a terrorist group with close ties to al Qaeda. On the streets between the ports of Mogadishu and the town of Afogooye, Islamic insurgents, criminals and sometimes undisciplined militias extort money from motorists.

Somalia, Terrorism and Piracy

Somali and East Africa in general is seen by U.S and most western states as a breeding ground for violent Islamic extremist. The situation is made worse with Osama Bin Laden voicing his support for the Islamic fighters in Somalia. Lessons of pre-9/11 and the use of Afghanistan as training camps by terrorists will remain a source worry to the international community as long as Somali remains a failed state. Just hours after US snipers shot dead three Somali pirates and rescued US captain Richard Phillips, Somali pirates were back to business as usual Tuesday, defiantly seizing four more ships with 60 hostages. "No one can deter us," one bandit boasted

The International Crisis Group (ICG) reports that despite repeated efforts, militant Islam has failed to take root in Somalia's seemingly "fertile ground." Nevertheless, Somalia is home to groups who are willing to offer protection and support to terrorists transiting through the country. Piracy has however gained root in this volatile country with no central government. It is believed that up to $30 million worth of ransom has been paid out this year alone. That’s why the Gulf of Aden, which links the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean - the world's busiest shipping lanes - will remain a hot spot of acts of violence and piracy even in the face of international outcry.

Diplomats and international observers believe that the most effective approach to counterterrorism for Somalia is one that seeks to establish a stable central government. This will provide an enabling environment in which civil society organizations and moderate Muslim organizations can flourish.

Robot  # 1 | 16.04.2009 01:51

Churchill Okonkwo To understand of current struggle for the heart of Somali, the checkered political history ofthis Arabic country known as the Land of Punt by ancient Egyptians has to be put into perspective. Somalia was formed by a merger of two former colonial territories: British Somaliland, in the north, and its larger and more populous neighbor, Italian Somaliland. Italy agreed to grant independence on 1 July 1960 to its trust territory while the United Kingdom (UK) gave its protectorate independence on 26 June 1960, thus enabling the two Somali territories to join in a united Somali Republic on 1 July 1960. On 20 July 1961, the Somali people ratified a new constitution, drafted in 1960, and one month later confirmed Aden 'Abdullah Osman Daar as the nation's first president. Troubled political past. The history of Somalia politics has however seen tumultuous years of clan wars, pa...Read the full article.

Carrygo  # 2 | 16.04.2009 06:32

Somalia is a contradiction to me. It is a country equal in ethnicity and religion yet unable to make headways. My interactions with Somalians tell me they are a people with great potentials but there seems to be a bestial desire for power amongst many of them; a phenomenon not uncommon amongst their African peers. Power is seen as a toy to fuddle around with for its sheer excitement and not for any substantive measure.They are now a world problem.