The Warlords Are Back!

We knew it was going to happen, it was just a matter of when. I've been playing close attention to the situation in Somalia revolving around the so-called "transitional government" vs. the Islamic Courts. Apparently this was the 14th attempt in about 15 years to create a government in Somalia. This so-called goverment headed by Mohamad Ali Gedi doesn't appear to have the fear or respect of Somalians. In the midst of this power vacuum, the Islamic Courts swept into the south of Somalia and Mogadishu (the most violent & dangerous city on earth) and brought law, order and peace.

The wreckless, corrupt US-funded warlords fled to the town of Baidoa and for the first time in nearly a generation, Mogadishu was a peaceful city. Business was booming. Guns were off the streets. Criminals were hung. And, khat, which is a narcotic was banned. It seems like some personal freedoms were taken away, but at the expense of what? Anyway, all of the warlords run to Baidoa and shack up with Gedi and his fledgling army. So in come the Ethiopians who allegedy fear that their national stability is at stake due to the Islamic Courts existence. Obviously, the Ethiopians are being backed by the USA.

Well, after several months of "peace talks," and hardcore denials that there were thousands of Ethiopians present in Somalia by Meles Zenawi, a corrupt dictator in his own right, the Islamic Courts decided to attack Baidoa to solidify their territorials gains and kick the Ethiopians out. What right do the Ethiopians have to preside in Somalia and chose the which government the Somalians will pay taxes to? And most importantly, how was Ethiopia's sovereignty threatened by the Islamic Courts? According to some, the Courts have a few members of al-Qaeda amongst them, but this hasn't been proven.

When a country is in a state such as Somalia, where poverty, famine and violence are everywhere it is absurd to think that democracy is feasable. The best option is exactly what the Islamic Courts offered. Perhaps a few personal freedoms were taken away in the process, but name one country where individuals have 100% absolute personal freedom? For all the bitching and moaning about their "hardline approach," they brough law and order and a sense of patriotism to Somalia. Furthermore, those who didn't agree with the Islamic Courts had some measure of respect for them. And respect is exactly what this "transitional government" lacks. How did they even come up with this thing? Apparently they had a meeting in Kenya and couple of yahoos, without any popular support in Somalia, agreed to be the Prime Minister and President.

That's almost like a bunch of nuts getting together in Austria and saying: "We hereby declare ourselves the goverment of Japan!" Then they move to Japan and with the support of the Chinese Army who feels "threatened" kick out the current government and try to assume power. I don't think that Gedi and so-called president Abdullahi Yusuf have the slightest chance at winning the respect of Somalians. They are illegitimate and bunch of henpicked drones who are supported by the drastically poor, inexplicably rogue, and profoundly corrupt state of Ethiopia. Furthmore, once and future warlords like Afrah and Siad are back in business. They are gathering weapons and paid militia members to commence the bribes, extortion and subterfuge. Does Gedi, a former vetrinarian, think that Ethiopia can do for Somalia what the USA is trying to do for Iraq? Does he think the USA can do for Somalia what the USA can do for Iraq? Wait and see...