After assuring the world that they had no intention of introducing Sharia law, the new Islamist junta in Mogadishu banned Somalis from watching the World Cup.
Comparisons are already being made between the Islamists in Mogadishu and the Taliban in Afghanistan. At some point, the United States government will have to make an unsavoury decision about how to handle the jihadists in Mogadishu. It will almost certainly be necessary to have allies on the ground willing to offer the United States assistance, local information, access to territory, and so on.
Fortunately, such a solution presents itself in Somaliland, a breakaway statelet in Northern Somalia. Somaliland has a democratically-elected government and, in spite of the many obstacles it faces, has come to represent the best hopes for the country. And it is safe to assume that Somalilanders will generously reward whichever country makes the decision to recognize Somaliland's statehood.
If the United States is to confront the threat facing it from Mogadishu, the obvious solution is to ally itself with Somaliland. FDD Academic Fellow Peter Pham has written about the opportunity presented by Somaliland here.
So what is America waiting for? For the Islamists to take full control?
Posted by: Dan | June 13, 2006 at 05:01 PM
Always somebody misleads the US about what is going on in Somaliland and Somalia , one of the best sloutions is to help Somaliland people to continue the path that they have taken.helo them plotically, Economically. so that there will be no chance of breeding more radicals and fanatics. and acctully they are already their. and if somebody will not help we will lose everything we made during the last 15 years.it is not too late US to save Somaliland from both warlords Abdillahi Yusuf and Abdiqasim Salaad Xasan.
thank you
Posted by: Mohamed Ali | June 15, 2006 at 08:53 AM
It might be in the interest of the US to support Somaliland, but the people of somaliland should not be in any illusion as to why. it is not because the US cares for them, but rather to use to them as a tool to furthur destablize Somalia. And if people of somaliland betray somalis in favor of ethiopia and US, the consequences for that state and its people will be dire and the fallout will be felt for a long time. the US has a long history of using whatever means available to furthur its cause, and the people of somalialand will be used and abused and left to deal with the rubbles as has happened with many before them. I agree that it's in interest of US as was stated in the article, but I don't think it's in the interest of somaliland and its people.
Posted by: ahmed dahir | June 19, 2006 at 11:10 PM