According to UN, the humanitarian crisis in Somalia now is the worst in Africa. In past two weeks, 200,000 Mogadishu residents have fled their homes whatever ways they can during the renewed fighting between the Islamist insurgents of Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) and Ethiopian-backed government in the capital.The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says a total of one million Somalis from the capital Mogadishu are now homeless since the fighting heightened last year in the area.
It is estimated about 8 millions people live in Somalia with about 1.5 millions in Mogadishu. Most of them speak the official language of Somali and are Sunni Muslims but divided among themselves according to the clans, namely Hawiye, Darod, Dir and Rahanwein, and also sub-clans, with each having its own militia because Somalia had been without government since 1991. These militias were originally set up to be taking care of local social order during the anarchy. Some of these later joined together to become the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC).
With the aim to restore the stability and social order in Somalia, some hardliners from UIC also determine to curb foreign influences which they consider as immoral, which includes closing down cinemas. However, it was claimed that Ethiopia does not want to see the emergence of an Islamic state as its neighbor and thus backs Somali government in fighting against UIC.
The involvement of Ethiopia has become part of the problem and viewed instead as an interference. As the government has gained control over most towns now including Mogadishu, Ethiopia should step back to let Somalis handle their own issues. Peace negotiations between the present government headed by President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and UIC must take place as soon as possible, the government should stop relying on the Ethiopia's intervention, while UIC should stop pressing on to build tribal regime, both sides should work together in paving the road for democratic process to solve the turmoil in their homeland.
Photo from zazamedia
It is estimated about 8 millions people live in Somalia with about 1.5 millions in Mogadishu. Most of them speak the official language of Somali and are Sunni Muslims but divided among themselves according to the clans, namely Hawiye, Darod, Dir and Rahanwein, and also sub-clans, with each having its own militia because Somalia had been without government since 1991. These militias were originally set up to be taking care of local social order during the anarchy. Some of these later joined together to become the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC).
With the aim to restore the stability and social order in Somalia, some hardliners from UIC also determine to curb foreign influences which they consider as immoral, which includes closing down cinemas. However, it was claimed that Ethiopia does not want to see the emergence of an Islamic state as its neighbor and thus backs Somali government in fighting against UIC.
The involvement of Ethiopia has become part of the problem and viewed instead as an interference. As the government has gained control over most towns now including Mogadishu, Ethiopia should step back to let Somalis handle their own issues. Peace negotiations between the present government headed by President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and UIC must take place as soon as possible, the government should stop relying on the Ethiopia's intervention, while UIC should stop pressing on to build tribal regime, both sides should work together in paving the road for democratic process to solve the turmoil in their homeland.
Photo from zazamedia
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