In the past few weeks some 40,000 residents of Mogadishu have fled a violence that has continued unabated since the removal of Somali leader Siad Barre in 1991. The origins of this conflict like so many on the continent are remnants of a civil society torn apart by colonialism and then again by US/Soviet proxy wars.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) says security is worsening as key districts fall to a fundamentalist backed insurgency led by Al-Shabaab. It is a city that is dead if not dying reports BBC correspondent Mark Doyle. A few days ago 52 non-governmental organizations released a statement admonishing the international community for failing the Somalians. Save the Children UK says international aid agencies and relief workers are attacked and unable to provide basic humanitarian assistance. All parties of the conflict regularly loot relief supplies and have a complete disregard for international law. This comes as no surprise. Somalia is in a state of anarchy.
At the same time, piracy off the coast of Somalia has more than doubled in 2008. Sixty ships have been attacked so far. Millions taken in ransom feed this war that has cost the lives of too many people. Some of that money is financing US terror-listed Al-Shabaab. The worse is perhaps yet to come. The World Food Programme Country Director said that Somalia can expect an “Ethiopia-like" famine afflicting almost half the population before year's end.
