Somalia's ragtag Islamists are here to stay- Rageh Omaar

[Sophist]

Somalia's ragtag Islamists are here to stay

Rageh Omaar

 

Published 11 December 2006

 

1 comment Print version Listen Disturbing news from Somalia and Ethiopia, embroiled in the latest African war

 

The next African war has already begun, though you may not have heard of it, as the television cameras have yet to arrive. By the time they do begin to take pictures of the hungry and displaced, it will be too late to avoid another man-made disaster in the most impoverished corner of the world.

 

The countries involved in this war are Somalia, where I come from, and Ethiopia, where many of my relatives now live. Last spring, after 14 years as the quintessential failed state, Somalia gave rise to a grass-roots Islamist movement that enjoys genuine support, much as the Taliban did when they came to power in Afghan istan during the mid-1990s. Suddenly, to the astonishment of people who had feared to cross from one side of Mogadishu to the other, a semblance of order returned to the capital.

 

This honeymoon between the people and a deeply conservative Islamist movement would have come to a natural end, but now it looks certain to be prolonged because of the response of neighbouring Ethiopia and its US ally. Aghast at the seizure of power by the Union of Islamic Courts, Washington called on Addis Ababa to act quickly and decisively against the UIC militia. Ethiopia first made threats, and then intervened directly, sending forces over the border last month and shelling a strategic town.

 

Washington and Addis Ababa described their enemy as a ragtag bunch of no-hopers who could be crushed easily. The Ethiopian forces, the ar gument went, would be welcomed as liberators. It was a calculation every bit as flawed as Israel's reading of Hezbollah's strengths before last summer's invasion of Lebanon.

 

As so often happens, this war will achieve exactly what it set out to avoid: in this case, entrenching an Islamist government by providing it with even more popular support and legitimacy. Most Somalis will come to see the UIC as a bulwark against foreign invaders.

 

The US had not uttered the word Somalia for almost a decade, save as a rhetorical warning of the dangers of failed states. Yet, in the past week, American diplomats in New York have been urging the UN Security Council to end the international arms embargo on Somalia so that Washington's allies among the country's warlords and the powerless interim government can be equip ped to fight beside Ethiopian troops against their own countrymen.

 

The great irony is that many of the leaders of the UIC are not anti-American at all. Several of them have lived and worked in the United States. Far from wanting to export ideology, they are focused on their domestic agenda. One of the main policies is a decree that properties seized by the warlords must be returned to their rightful owners. This has encouraged thousands of exiles to return to Mogadishu. But, with the military intervention by Ethiopia (which has a large and restive Muslim population ripe for political and ideological proselytising), the UIC's reluctance to meddle will undoubtedly change.

 

What does Ethiopia - a country of 75 million people that suffers chronic food shortages and one of the highest levels of HIV - gain from this? Nothing. But, like other leaders in his position, Prime Minister Zenawi may find a foray abroad will help to silence criticisms about undemocratic elections and political persecution.

 

Looking around a world shaped by the Bush administration's "war on terror", one wonders why Washington persists with failing policies. It is a question that the historian Barbara Tuchman considered in her book The March of Folly (1984). In it, she asked what compels governments to continue with calamitous misadventures such as Vietnam, Algeria and the First World War. It's a book worth rereading today.

[Sophist]

America is horrified by anything that smells Islamic conservatism. It is this illogical fear (hatred) that drives it to add petrol into the fire that has been engulfing the Horn for decades. Ethiopia is local agent and like any obedient agent; it will only execute the orders of her masters in Washington. Having said this, I think the ICU should have been more wise should consider the blood letting that will result a confrontation with an American ally—of course like any casualties of war; the week will be the victims; it will be our mothers, sisters, and young brothers who will borne the burden of this ensuing war. They (Islamic Courts Union) have moral duty to avoid this and immediately engage with the TFG. They must not allow themselves to be Casus Belli. The ICU should be concerned about the Commune Bonum of our people otherwise they will be just like those whom they have deposed.

 

Oh; ben fatto to Rageh!!!

[Qandalawi]

^^Sophist you are a bit too fast...

Published 11 December 2006

We aren't there yet my friend..

 

Where is the source?

[king_450]

I don't think the topic is about bashing America. After all America or for that matter Eurpe were the only countries that saved most of you from the horrible and discomfort caused by the "Icu"formerly kown "USC". Now back to the topic it is known fact that the New Facist Islamist are not for the benefit of the country formerly known Somalia. They are there to continue their genocide in a differenct and disquised way,they will rule by the sword and they must die by the sword. Thanks to those of us who are not in their presence but feel sorry for the families we still left there . And remember these thigs once they fail they will go back doing their act which was raping killing and burning ppl live.

[Qandalawi]

^^Common sense is a bliss

 

Now you defend America?? good, and how do u know the topic is about about bashing America!

 

Besides why do love to speak for others. Perhaps America and Europe saved you.

 

Astaqfurulaah.

[Didi Kong]

Originally posted by Sophist:

What does Ethiopia - a country of 75 million people that suffers chronic food shortages and one of the highest levels of HIV - gain from this? Nothing. But, like other leaders in his position, Prime Minister Zenawi may find a foray abroad will help to silence criticisms about undemocratic elections and political persecution.

Of the 75 million close to half of them are our mortal enemy amxara and tigre the most xasit ppl in all of East Africa. I'm sure they feel like they have a lot to gain from Somali instability. Ofcourse not in concrete sense like more food and less aids but ofcourse intrinsic wise like more security from Islam to gain precedence in Ethiopia.