Encourage Hope

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

U.S. must encourage hope in Somalia to keep mischief-makers out

 

Abdi Sheik-Abdi lives in Minneapolis

He is a former dean of African Studies at Western Illinios University

 

While in general agreement with the views of Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin ("U.S. must develop a Somalia strategy," Aug. 19), I would like to expand on some of his points.

 

There is no disagreement in the fact that today's Somalia is a political black hole and a breeding ground for terrorism, drug trafficking and all sorts of mischief. This is made possible by the absence of a central authority since 1991, following the fall of Siad Barre's dictatorship. At the time, we Somalis rejoiced in the fact, but what followed has proved infinitely worse.

 

Disorder, chaos and tribal strife have reached new heights. The country for the most part is rudderless and the world has cynically turned its back on it, declaring it a hopeless case — if not in so many words. Is it a wonder that the rest of the civilized world now sees the place as a festering sore?

 

The political vacuum there invites all sorts of mischief-makers. What if Osama bin Laden saw this golden opportunity and took advantage of it? Who was there to stop him? Since there is no economy to speak of or any semblance of civil authority, Osama's money and powerful connections in the Middle East must have been seen as the hoped-for salvation for Somalia. But Osama, under Western pressure, packed his belongings and quickly disappeared into the blue yonder. The Americans wondered: Is he in Arabia, the Sudan or Afghanistan?

 

There are pockets of the old Somalia, which are enjoying a modicum of tranquility, especially in the north and northeast. The authorities there should be proffered every encouragement, as well as economic and technical assistance. This would make terrorism unpalatable and those regions could be turned into shining examples for the rest of this fractured land. Even tiny, impoverished Djibouti is the envy of the rest of Somalia because of its relative tranquility.

 

No portion of Somalia could possibly do worse if order is restored. And in the event that George W. Bush gets re-elected, I would strongly advise him to pick up the challenge of reclaiming Somalia from ruin where his father left off in "Operation Restore Hope." I think most Somalis would applaud such a course of action.

 

Pioneer Press

Minneapolis, Minnesota.

[Baashi]

^way to go Mr. Abdi

[General Duke]

Libax and Bashi, is this the same Abdi Shiekh Abdi who wrotte the book Divine Madness about the Sayid?

[miles-militis]

That indeed is Dr. Abdi Sheik-Abdi, former Dean of African Studies at Western Illinios University, and the prolific author of Divine Madness ...