Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) - “The international community must move from declarations of principles to the facts: we need a coordinated effort, especially by the United Nations, African Union, Arab League, Islamic League and IGAD," says Bishop Giorgio Bertin of Djibouti, who is also Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, where today, December 3, a car bombing killed 3 Ministers of the Transitional Government. This morning, during the graduation of some students of Benadir University, which was held at the Hotel Shamow in the part of Mogadishu controlled by the transitional government, a bomb (perhaps carried by a suicide bomber) exploded, leading to a dozen deaths. Among the victims are the Ministers of Health, Ms. Qamar Aden Ali, of Education, Ahmad Abdullah, and of Universities, also leader of the Islamic Courts, Ibrahim Addo.
This further act of violence occurs when the Shebaab, the Islamist militia linked to Al Qaeda, continues to gain ground, especially after having done away with rival Islamist group Hisbul Islam. The Somali Transitional Government, backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) appears increasingly weak. "The international community has launched an operation to combat piracy on the sea, but action is needed on the ground, where pirates have their bases. Similarly, there must be a greater effort to help the Transitional Government, which is internationally recognized, beginning with the block of the flow of weapons, funding, and people who come to Shebaab,” Bishop Bertin told Fides.
Asked whether the irruption of radical Islam in Somalia represents a change in the situation in Somalia in comparison to a few years ago, the Bishop replied: "Yes, compared to a few years ago the situation has changed, with the introduction of radical Islamism, but this does not mean that the clan system has disappeared. As the Somalis say, some clan leaders have 'changed their jacket', and are now wearing that of radical Islam, but under it lies the old logic of the clan. Even the clash between the Shebaab el Hisbul Islam had a clan component, because it hid the struggle between two subclans of one of the most important Somali clans."
"The problem is that while in Djibouti they were debating over how to form the government, the Shabaab in Somalia conquered the territory by force. But in my opinion, they did not win the hearts and minds of Somalis. The people accepted their presence, because it ensures a minimum of order, but they are not strong supporters of their political project," concluded Bishop Bertin. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/12/2009)
