Saturday, March 7, 2009

Understanding Somali issues

As a native Somalian and correspondent for the BBC, Mohamed Hussien covers issues important to Somalis worldwide. Here are some of his thoughts on current events.

On Somali pirates: "It started with fishermen who were upset over illegal fishing and toxic waste dumping by western countries. Now it's become an enterprise and people who never saw the ocean before are doing it. Criminals are getting in on it because of the money."

On civil war in Somalia: "Before, it was former generals of a dictatorship fighting each other as warlords. Now it's Islam extremists fighting over ideology, and this is what I fear because it can happen in any town, any place."

On Somalia's fragmented government: "Politics in America is easier, because you don't have to start from scratch," he said. "In Somalia, if you want to be a politician, you can't just join a side. You have to start your own."

On lack of trust as the root of the nation's problems: "The leaders change, the problems continue. The reason is mistrust. People don't trust each other when it comes to leadership. There is no deep hatred between clans. People from different clans will marry each other or go into business together, but when it comes to who will run the country, that's where they divide. They think whichever tribe has the power will only look out for his own tribe's interests."

On jihadist recruiting of Somali boys in America: "Some of it is true, but we don't know how big. It's not a crime to go to Somalia and fight for your country, but what's shocking is the people who organize these guys and convince them to do it. They have connections in Minnesota. But I don't think they will do something bad here, because it is considered too important a part of the Somali diaspora to alienate."

Source: StarTribune

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