Somalia sliding

Above: Aidan Hartley's documentary on Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya is a little out of date but gives you a feel nonetheless (Unreported World, Hearts and Minds and Holy War,C4 06).


A story woefully underreported in Penguin Island’s mind is the speed at which lawlessness, death and fear are returning to Somalia.

When the Islamic Courts (UIC) - linked to al-Qaeda by its enemies and the United States - were sent back into the countryside, six months of relative prosperity and security went with them.

Granted, for many the idea of a UIC government threatening to outlaw many of life’s pleasures as anti-Islamic - such as watching football - is unappealing. But if there's one thing that we‘ve all learned from Iraq, is that democracy is no substitute for security.

Let’s hope that things get better soon.


Somali blogs.
Recent BBC report of 1000 dead.
Follow US meddling in the region.