How do we help those who suffer? Although geographic location remains a prevalent factor in deciding to whom the US provides support from an economic standpoint, we cannot ignore human suffering no matter how remote the region is from the United States or more importantly remote from something we desire.
Perhaps it is just my own awakening, and I am ashamed to reveal how I have in only the last couple of years emerged from a self induced Coma, but I believe the concept of a global community and our responsibility toward one another is being more acknowledge worldwide. We continue to become more and more connected globally and thank goodness for those who have been advocating for human rights and social justice. It is because of their example that I believe in kind hearts and the innate goodness in so much of humanity. I even believe such benevolence remains at the core of many of us in leadership positions today. As far as the current US leadership, I choose to focus on things that are good and leave the revealing of what is not to those more knowledgeable and therefore better at earnest critiquing. I hope to hear from you. I am not ignorant to the fact we all have room for improvement. And as I have previously shared I am not without more than my share of cake.
Recently with the Somali pirating intrusions on trade, the US has drawn its interest toward the Horn of Africa. Because the level of human suffering in Somalia is equivalent to a humanitarian disaster zone, people cannot even consider a thought about the regional waters of the Arabian Sea without feeling an obligation to support healing and change on the land that takes up so much of its coast. Actually, there is nowhere worse. Living with the risk of a tiger attack due to flooding and lack of land and prey in Bangladesh, would be better than to live in constant fear of brutal slaying and human butchering that people are doing to people in Somalia. If existence is an ongoing battle of good versus evil, Somalia is the epicenter of dark war and genocide. It is for this reason I will focus my reflection not on Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Kenya, but on this tip of the horn; Somalia.
What happens in Somalia is extremely important, just as human rights are anywhere in the world. Ethiopia and Kenya have many refugees from Somalia and most of the security problems affecting the region are due to violence stemming from Somalia. Somalia is Homogeneous with one religion. Rivalry between clans caused Somalia to never have effective government and basically since 1991the country has been in a state of anarchy. The people of Somali suffer unrelenting hardships of extreme poverty, drought, flooding and human brutality. The population has no hope of establishing communities because they are forced to live a rural nomadic lifestyle in order to survive the constant threat of violent attack. It is hard to envision hope for improved health and education in any foreseeable future. To add to the crisis, food, medicine and emergency shelters are not getting there. It is too dangerous. Somalia is the most dangerous place in the world to try and deliver aid. Basically the only hope for the chance at a peaceful life is to get out. This is the mission for most of the population. Twenty percent have fled to seek refuge in the neighboring countries of Ethiopia and Kenya. Somalia is the foremost example of a failed state.
I was shocked to discover that the main source of income for the local population is actually from the one hundred thousand Somali living in the US. Surely this cannot be significant for change.
If the hardship on the people isn’t enough, there are the pirates who are impeding trade, and still worse a much more significant threat of raising a terrorist population. The Jihadists have settled in the lawless, stateless country. Religious extremists want to turn Somalia into a radical religion based state. Ethiopians despite international recognition and aid, failed to provide the country of Somalia with a new government. Instead a new extremist unit of Al-Qaida supporters emerged and Ethiopia in 2009 withdrew all troops.
Media reports the use of tactics designed to maximize civilian casualties, like the Al Shabaab claimed July eleventh bombing in Kampala. This bombing that took place where crowds of civilians were watching the televised broadcasting of the world cup was stated to be in response to Uganda’s leading political and military role in Somalia peacekeeping force.
The Transitional federal government that was founded after years of negotiations remains on paper only. Its members lived abroad for fear of returning to Mogadishu. Ministries are not functioning and security forces operate as corrupt autonomous groups. Confidence in the success of the Transitional Federal Government was never high, but currently all hope is gone. The only support that can be provided is through African missions (AMISOM) that fight to expand Mogadishu. And the more thought I give this, the more I am in favor of leaving them on their own. With such corruptions how much of the opposition has infiltrated their forces. A Friday Reuters news article states that President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed claims recent battles have left the Somalia military force controlling seventy percent of the capital city. Hm? Do they?
If all the “good guys” stop providing weapons, won’t soon enough everyone’s ammunition run out?
Other than grass roots support for those brave enough to operate in Somalia the best the US can do in rescue efforts is to protect the neighboring countries by isolating Somalia by preventing any outside support getting to the terrorists and pray that within its borders, evil will defeat itself. The only relief efforts to Somalia should be in the form of food and medicine. Sadly even such charities have been reported as being sold for more weapons.
The only other thought I have to leave you with is this....
Don’t forget about those trapped in terror. Send them your love in thoughts.
Notable information:
Somalia minerals include uranium and likely deposits of petroleum and natural gas throughout the country, not exploited commercially. Charcoal production has led to widespread deforestation.
All land line telephone systems have been destroyed, but they have cellular phone service throughout the country. They have ship-to-shore communications (INMARSAT) and oversea satellite from private telecommunication in major towns. Mogadishu, Hargeisa and Galkaiyo have radio broadcasting of programs in Somali and some other languages. There are two television stations in Mogadishu and one in Hargeisa. Cities are linked to the internet.
I wish to remind any viewers that comments are encouraged. I welcome any corrections of facts presented and I am hopeful for opportunity to learn.
The biggest problem with somalia is a weak central government which controls a sliver of land and is unable to provide for the people. As a result a vaccum has been created where piracy is a big business. Pirate Inc. They are demanding more money for ransom. Currently they have over 800 hostages. It is has trickled down giving jobs from everyone from women selling tea to pirates to food vendors. With no alternatives for work and no government to provide for the population little choice is given. It has to start with economic development. Alternatives. Attacking the pirates will not work because there are plenty of others to take their places who will be far more dangerous. The shabad (Islamic fighters) only consists of 1000 fighters. It is mostly warlords and criminals.
ReplyDeleteSammyr13,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting. I was not aware of the pirate's influence on the Somalia people. For me to gain perspective, it would help to have a comparison. Who would you compare the relationship the pirates have with the people to?
Do you have any thoughts as to the kind of economic alternatives..or who should provide it?
Thank you for posting. You are a valuable resource.
Hello Jennifer! I am also a UNCW graduate student in the middle grades Social Studies Education program. We have been asked by our professor to participate in your blog. I am so happy that she assigned us to your site as I find this information extremely helpful in connecting me to the pressing issues facing our world. I will look back to your blog often to keep me updated on the issues that you post.
ReplyDeleteThe entry of yours on Somalia is extremely disturbing to me. I teach 6th grade Social Studies at a downtown school in Wilmington. We just learned about Feudalism and how people before that were in turmoil with no central government, education, laws, and so forth. This situation in Somalia makes me think of a real life, real time event that is happening now that can be compared to the history of the people in Europe.
How do they get help with all of the obstacles they face? What is it going to take to assemble a form of government and law that work for their people? I feel awful for what the innocent people in Somalia have to go through. I will keep myself knowledgable about this topic that you have brought to my attention.
SyndyK,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts. It is good we find human suffering "disturbing". But do we find it disturbing enough to share some of our privileges?
It is hard for me to imagine a nomadic lifestyle; not having WATER. Goodness gracious, look at the photograph!
I had two babies, when I was living in Florida and the big hurricanes hit. Power was predicted to be out for about two weeks. There was threat that without power, soon there would be no gas and everyone would be stuck in town. “Oh my! Can't have that." So, I filled up my car with gas and drove north with the children in their cushioned car seats (gotta be safe!) to stay in a hotel. I couldn't imagine changing “disposable” diapers by candle light. And no refrigerator seemed simply ridiculous. I was fearful, I wouldn't be able to get out of.... I can't believe I am going to write this...Palm Beach! Not exactly Somalia. Don't pity me, I have since grown. Immensely.
I don't know what it will take. I think the United States and Ethiopia had good intentions, but gave up because their efforts were not working. I thought about what Sammyr13 said about economic development.
If we look back at the US revolution we can learn a lot. Remember, economic opportunity was becoming readily available to everyone but the enslaved African Americans. People desired freedom to earn and prosper.
The system of government was nonexistent after defeating the British and the people created one. The new system was designed on the principles of Republicanism. Not the republican party of today, but a system based on the values of self determination, independence, benevolence, and servitude for the sake of peace and prosperity. Of course the warlords and religious extremists do not hold these values.
I guess the question to ask is how do we create opportunity for the people? I think we need to research grass roots efforts and see what these organizations are doing. What is their experience? If we build a school, will the soldiers burn it? What can be done to provide opportunity?
Again, I don't know. This is why I have the blog. Perhaps there will be more comments.
I haven't read the news all weekend. Let’s read and see what is happening. The whole Middle East seems in transition. Perhaps answers are unfolding.
I offer we hold thoughts of peace and prosperity.